University of Illinois Extension serving Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties

The Great Pumpkin Contest- presented by Mt. Vernon Business Womens Club. Anyone can enter. All pumpkins must be grown in Illinois. Biggest Pumpkin Wins! Weigh-in is Saturday, October 20th from 8 am to 9 am. Entry forms, rules and pumpkin seeds are avaible at the Jefferson County Extension Office. For more information, contact the Mt. Vernon Tourism Bureau at (618) 242-3151.

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Pesticides are an important tool in pest management, but there are restrictions on their use in school gardens or community gardens. The University of Illinois Extension's Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) has prepared a new fact sheet, "Making Pesticide Applications in School/Community Gardens," to address frequently asked questions.

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The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) first made its appearance in Michigan and Canada in June of 2002. Since then it has been found in several midwest states, including Illinois. For additional information on the EAB and help to diagnosis ash tree problems....

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Kids, here is your chance to get in the kitchen and have some fun at a summer Youth Cooking School sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. In today's convenience society of frozen dinners, take-out food and restaurant meals, some families rarely cook at home. University of Illinois Extension is working to change that trend through its Youth Cooking School program. To find out where Youth Cooking School is being offered in your county, contact your local Extension Office.

Central Ill Sustainable Farming Network Workshop – June 9, 2012 at Sidney, Illinois (Champaign County). Workshop will focus on pasture management, animal health, and livestock production. Will cover information on goats and poultry production, as well as meat production from poultry, lamb, and pork.

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Do you have financial questions? University of Illinois Extension has answers. Plan Well – Retire Well is a monthly electronic newsletter that will keep you up to date about current financial issues, from student loans to Roth IRAs and credit scores. It will link you to current blog posts, news articles, and tools from Extension and other reliable sources.

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The Green Center at Lincoln Land Community College is offering a high tunnel workshop series for local food producers and others interested in building and using high tunnels. The first workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012. The workshop will cover siting considerations, pre-planning, and construction of a high tunnel. Participants will assist in constructing a 22'x48' high tunnel during the workshop. Tools will be provided. The second workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2012. It will cover will cover developing a planting plan, planting, management topics including pest and weed control, and winter growing.

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The Illinois State Fair Jr. Department Premium Book is now available online. 4-H'ers planning to show livestock at the Illinois State Fair will want to check it out!

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