Mason County Extension will soon begin to publish its bi-weekly electronic newsletter entitled "Crop Update." Crop Update provides information regarding pest problems that impact residents in Mason County and/or central Illinois as well as general agronomic information.

Those interested in receiving Mason County Crop Update via e-mail are asked to contact Matt Montgomery, County Extension Director, Mason County Extension via phone at 309-543-3308 or via e-mail at mpmontgo@illinois.edu. The list of those receiving Crop Update is kept confidential.

The Crop Update may also be viewed online.

Annie's Project is a 6-session course offered by U of I Extension, Spoon River College and Farm Bureau that helps women improve their agri-business skills. Mason County and Fulton County Extension hope to offer another session of Annie's Project within the next year. Those interested in becoming part of the next graduating class, the class of 2010, are encouraged to contact the Mason County office to have their names added to the Annie's Project waiting list. Contact Mason County Extension at 309-543-3308 and mark your winter 2010 calendars for Annie's Project.

2009 Annie's Project Graduates pictured are – back row, left to right: Ruth Hambleton (class instructor – U of I Extension, retired), Tina Friend, Virginia Barrett, Cheryl Treadway, Lois Duewer, Marian Stone, Noreen Frye, Kurt Maertens (Session 6 instructor – Monsanto); front row, left to right: Ramona Pfeiffer, Carol Hiller, Nancy Garlisch, Larae Breedlove, Trina Mitchell, Marjorie Friedrich (not pictured – Debbie Friend).

Spring can mean lots of good things, but for the past couple years it has also meant some problems with pesky little biting gnats called "black flies" or "buffalo gnats."

Only the female buffalo gnat feeds on blood, with the male of the species actually feeding on nectar. The fly's saliva contains a compound that eases the fly's ability to draw blood while also causing swelling.

They are not known to transmit diseases to humans in the United States and most of the buffalo gnat's life is spent in the water where the fly larvae feed on debris and small multi-cellular organisms.

Little can be done to avoid these pests should the environment prove suitable for them. "Fogging" the area may, if one is lucky, remove those adult flies in proximity - but they will soon be replaced by others. Treating water supplies does nothing to eliminate the biting adults.

Repellents may assist efforts to avoid this pest and one can wear protective clothing. Other than that, individuals are left with … waiting.

Buffalo gnats appear to cause problems for only about a month and a half to two months.