Is all the STUFF in your life driving you crazy? Do you spend too much time piling, sorting, and moving stacks from one place to another? Are you tired of searching for things? Aren't we all!

Learn how to reduce paper and clutter in your home and at work, easily locate those important notes and phone numbers, prevent interruptions, and save yourself hours of time and stress every week. Come to a program taught by Lois Smith, University of Illinois Extension educator in consumer and family economics. It will be Tuesday, January 27 at 10:00 a.m. This program is open to anyone interested, so you will want to plan to attend. Your sanity may be at stake!

Ten Simple Steps…..

If you are interested in practical tips for making your 2009 garden more productive or improving your home landscape, you will be interested in this program. Ron McCollom, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener, will present a workshop on Wednesday January 28 at 1:00 p.m. in the Extension building. He will have helpful tips for all types of gardeners. There is no fee, but we need to know if you plan to attend by January 23 so that we can have materials available. Please call 439-3178 to get your name on the list.

School Set for Tree Fruit Growers

University of Illinois Extension is hosting the commercial Tree Fruit Growers School for area orchardists during February. The program is offered twice---on February 3 at the Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn and again on February 4 at the First Presbyterian Church Hall in Hardin. At both locations, registration starts at 8 a.m., and the program runs from 8:20 to 3 p.m. The program focuses on the successful production of apples and peaches.

"This program covers key orchard management topics including insect and disease management as well as other production issues," reports Elizabeth Wahle, U of I Extension horticulture specialist. "Vendors will also be at each school to showcase their latest products and services."

Topics related to peach production include insect management, with a focus on borers and OFM; diseases, especially brown rot; and, size control using peach rootstocks. Topics of interest to apple producers include pruning and training apple trees; super-high density apple orchards; San Jose scale and woolly apple aphid management; apple diseases of 2008; and, conditions that affect chemical thinners.

For the Mt. Vernon school, advance registration by January 30 is $20 per farm family. On-site registration is $30. Lunch is on your own.

For the Hardin school, advance registration by January 30 is $20 per person, which includes lunch. On-site registration is $30.

The registration fee for both schools includes the current Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit Spray Guide. If you need dietary or disability accommodations to participate in either school, contact Wahle at 618-692-9434 by January 30. For a program brochure, contact your local U of I Extension office, or log on to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/hort and click the "Commercial Growers" section.