Agriculture, Horticulture & Natural Resources

• 100 participants and vendors attended 2008 Illinois Dairy Day, an annual event since 1999.
• 62 individuals participated in the Pesticide Safety Education Program which is co-sponsored with US Dept. of Agriculture, on safe applications of pesticide. 99% passed the test and were recertified in pesticide application
• The Variety Plot continued this past year with co-operators Mark and Melissa Yoder, Duane Hopkins of Kitchen Seed and 12 additional corn and soybean companies.
• Maxi Fitzjarrald of Arthur and Extension staff member, Lori Anderson, completed training and became the units' first Master Naturalists.
• 300 elementary students were taught about sugar cane and how it is processed...followed up by cotton candy, of course!
• 60 kindergarteners were taught about farming differences, produce, and flowers in Hawaii and how Hawaiians use the ocean in their daily lives.
• 400 4th and 6th grade students attended environmental Stewardship Day for Douglas County and Conservation Day in Moultrie County.

Margie Delheimer of Arcola and Bill Martin of Sullivan joined the Moultrie-Douglas Master Gardeners, along with Extension staff member, Lori Anderson. Projects this year included:

• Taught seven 4th grade classes taught lessons on alternate energy and vermicomposting. Students also had the opportunity to do a little planting of their own.
• Assisted in a "Living Green" workshop where 33 local teachers learned about making rain barrels, recycling, vermicomposting, planting upside down tomato plants and generally how to live "green."
• Designed and help plant the entrance to Eberhardt Village, an assisted living facility in Arthur.
• Vicki Clark of Arcola was awarded a State Outstanding Master Gardener award. Only 2% of the Master Gardeners state-wide are given this honor.
• Junior Master Gardening Camp was held for eight weeks this summer in Arcola. The program was open to 4th and 5th graders that wanted to discover the world of plants. With the cooperation of the Extension Unit horticulture program coordinator, youth development educator, and family nutrition program coordinator, the campers learned to plant, mulch and maintain a garden, work together as a team, and identify the health benefits of eating more fruits and veggies. Their efforts resulted in watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet corn, blue corn, several varieties of tomatoes, carrots, peppers, pumpkins, and various gourds. Gardeners also made upside-down tomato and pepper plants which are great for people with disabilities or limited garden areas. Produce was harvested and shared among the youth and taken to local food pantries.