28

Chicago Master Gardener

A blog for Chicago Master Gardeners providing information on volunteer opportunities, training, workshops and resources.

November 26, 2007

Lecture: Chicago's Green Roof Grant Program

LECTURE: Wicker Park Garden Club

Chicago's Green Roof Grant Program

SPEAKERS: Suzanne Keers, Scott Angarola – Condo owner recipients of Green Roof Grant, Elizabeth Simpkin, Garden designer

Monday, December 3 – 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Wicker Park Field House - 1425 North Damen

Learn about the programs that will help you design and partially fund a green roof garden Our speakers are Wicker Park residents who received a Chicago Green Roof Grant and then designed an incredible roof top garden and living space.

RESERVATIONS: $7 (limited Seating)

Contact: dougrwood@aol.com

UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING:

www.wpgarden.org

Posted by Ron Wolford at 8:05 PM | Permalink |

November 20, 2007

November Master Gardener Monthly Meeting

Master Gardeners,

November Monthly Meeting

6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Community Room, Garfield Park Conservatory

This meeting we will honor our Master School Gardener "graduate" program.

Our speakers are Master Gardeners and Master School Gardeners, Carole Gettler and Bobbie Jordan, who are writing a book about gardening and craft activities to use in school settings.

Meet our Chicago Master School Gardeners and learn about this exciting new program. This program is unique to Chicago.

6:30 p.m. - Pot luck dinner

6:50 p.m. - Announcements

7:10 p.m. - Speakers- Carol Gettler and Bobbie Jordan

If you did not pick up your anniversary pin or your award pin for volunteer hours at the last meeting, they will be available.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:48 AM | Permalink |

November 20, 2007

The Growing Connection: Introduction Session

Greetings Gardeners, Community Groups, Schools, Associations, and Activists in Chicago:

We hope you will join The Growing Connection, a global network for growing fresh food, learning science, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and building solutions to hunger and poverty.

The Growing Connection (TGC) is a UN pilot project involving young people around the world who grow fresh food in specially-designed container gardening systems, and who are linked together, peer-to-peer, fighting hunger and poverty, and building a better future.

The Growing Connection is already alive and strong in Chicago. We hope you will join us in our mission to improve the nutrition of Chicago's young people and connect them to their peers around the world, fostering meaningful international dialogue.

The Growing Connection

Introduction Session

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

3-5 p.m.

Garfield Park Conservatory

300 North Central Park Avenue

Chicago, IL 60624-1945

RSVP Acceptance Only by Mon. Dec. 3rd

Nancy Kreith

University of Illinois Cooperative Extension

773-233-0476, nkreith@gmail.com

Posted by Ron Wolford at 1:27 AM | Permalink |

November 15, 2007

Schedule your Chicago Master Gardener Interview

Dear Master Gardener Applicants,

Thanks for your application to the Master Gardener Program of Cook County Chicago. Classes begin on January 16, 2008 at Garfield Park Conservatory. You are about to embark on a wonderful adventure of learning and volunteer service in the company of wonderful people.

We are holding our applicant interviews on December 5 and December 12 at Garfield Park Conservatory. Meet me in the Conservatory foyer. Choose the time slot best for you and let me know. If none of these times work for you, let me know that also, and we will make other arrangements.

The fee of $225.00 is due at the interview time. Please make checks out to the University of Illinois. We do have some scholarships available. Contact me about possible scholarship by email, ebruhns@uiuc.edu ahead of time, please.

Choose a time slot on:

Wednesday afternoon, December 5

1:00

1:30

2:00

2:30

3:00

Wednesday afternoon, December 12

1:00

1:30

2:00

2:30

3:00

Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.

Elizabeth Bruhns

Master Gardener Program Organizer

Cook County/Chicago

ebruhns@uiuc.edu

3807 West 111th Street

Chicago, IL 60655

773-233-0476 -Fax 773-233-0910

MASTER GARDENER BLOG

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cook/blogs/eb6/index.html

Posted by Ron Wolford at 7:52 PM | Permalink |

November 15, 2007

Job Opportunity: Plant Health Care Technician

Position Available: Morton Arboretum: Plant Health Care Technician

Department: Information Services

FLSA Classification: Part-time, Non-exempt

General Summary

Prepare Plant Health Care Report and provide assistance to the Plant Clinic.

Job Qualifications

A.A.S. in horticulture or a related field in plant sciences and minimum of three years practical experience in a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Expertise in plant identification and diagnosing plant problems in the field and from laboratory samples. Ability to write well. Familiarity with pesticide usage in Illinois is desired. Experience with Windows operating systems, MS Word, Excel, Access, Adobe Acrobat, and e-mail programs required. Excellent organizational and record keeping skills. Able to work independently.

Physical/Mental Requirements

Outgoing, friendly, courteous, and enthusiastic personality. A customer service oriented individual who is able to relate effectively with people of various backgrounds and ages. Must be available for regular weekend responsibilities and periodic evening assignments. Able to lift 30 lbs.

Working Conditions

1. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors and can be in extreme weather conditions (rain, cold temperatures).

2. Requires physical activity: walking up to three miles per day, standing (several hours), traveling by car or truck, lifting and carrying (up to 30 lbs.).

If interested, please forward cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to The Morton Arboretum, Human Resources, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL, 60532-1293, or email to: jobs@mortonarb.org.

The Morton Arboretum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 2:37 PM | Permalink |

November 13, 2007

Master Gardener Beth Botts Wins Writing Award

The Garden Writers of America for 25 years has conducted an annual awards program for talent and products published in the field of garden communications. The purpose of the program is to provide recognition for the vast talents of the GWA membership in the area of writing, photography, graphic design, illustration and electronic media such as radio, television and Internet programming. It is a means of showcasing the many exceptional works created and/or published every year.

I would like to congratulate Chicago Master Gardener Beth Botts for receiving a 2007 Silver Award of Achievement for two articles she wrote in her role as a garden writer for the Chicago Tribune's Home and Garden section. Her winning articles were "Free Water: Its Yours for the Taking" and "How Many Gardeners Does it Take to Change a Bulb Garden"

The rain garden Beth describes in the "Free Water" article was designed by Chicago Master Gardener Sue Cubberly of the Rain Garden Network. The bulb article is about the fall bulb planting at the Lurie Garden which is a Chicago Master Gardener volunteer site.

Beth also writes an excellent garden blog for the Tribune: Chicago Gardener: A Growing Conversation.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 10:25 AM | Permalink |

November 10, 2007

Midwest Organic Production and Marketing Conference

Formerly the Illinois Organic Production Conference, we've now expanded! Welcome to the Midwest Organic Production and Marketing Conference and Trade Show. This event offers practical, science- and farmer-based information and extensive networking opportunities for those interested in organic food and farming.

The conference will be held in the Illini Union on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana-Champaign.

Click the link below for details, and register by January 10.

More information >>>

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:40 PM | Permalink |

November 8, 2007

Last Chance for Plant Clinic

Master Gardeners: Here is your last opportunity to earn your Plant Clinic requirement for 2007. Please contact Jackie Paine directly, msjlpaine@aol.com and be sure to include:

Name

Tel #"

MG or Intern:

1st date choice:

2nd date choice:

Don't forget to check the Plant Clinic manual when you get there. It will make your day easier.

These are the dates available:

November 11, 18, 24

December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29

Ron has just sent us a new web site that gains access to all land grant university sites providing research-based information: http://search.extension.org/ Use this website when you are researching information for gardening questions.

Thanks,

Jackie

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:53 PM | Permalink |

November 8, 2007

Mayor Daley's 2007 Landscape Awards

Today Nancy Kreith and I attended the Mayor Daley's 2007 Landscape Awards at Garfield Park Conservatory. This event is sort like a reunion of gardeners from across the city every year. I really enjoy this event, listening to the descriptions of the winning gardens from Pilsen to the Gold Coast.

The mayor arrived around 11 a.m and spoke about "greening" in the city. He was introduced by Suzanne Malec-McKenna, the new Commissioner of the Department of Environment. I can remember probably 20 years ago when Suzanne was working for Openlands developing community gardens. Extension worked with Suzanne 10 years ago developing the Greencorps Chicago program.

The awards ceremony was well organized. Every winning group got a plaque, a gift bag and a picture with the Mayor. The Mayor stayed after the event to chat and sign autographs.

Cook County Extension Urban Horticulture Projects and Chicago Master Gardeners received awards:

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital Roof Top Garden: 1st Place Green Roofs

1401 South California

28th Ward

Chicago Master Gardeners Tom Janik, Jodi Mann, Catherine Murphy, Gail Neiman, Jane Tiffen, Blanca Avilesand Cynthia Weaver assisted with maintenance.

Mt. Greenwood Library Garden: 2nd Place Public Institutions

11010 South Kedzie

19th Ward

Master Gardeners Donna Pochie and Rita Daniel-Suchor who are also members of the Mt. Greenwood Garden Club helped to design the gardens.

Cook County Sheriff's Garden: 3rd Place Public Institutions

2600 South California

12th Ward

Extension financially supported this garden and Nancy Kreith and Master Gardeners Martha Bayne, Roberto Cepeda, Gail Neiman, Cynthia Weaver and Tom Staniszewski provided technical assistance

Mt. Greenwood Children's Garden: 1st Place Specialized Gardens

3807 West 111th Street

19th Ward

Extension financially supported this garden and Nancy Kreith, Master Gardeners Deby Kennedy, Donna Pochie and Heather Burton and Ag School Interns provided technical assistance and organized activities with youth and adults from Mt. Greenwood Park's Special Recreation program.

Sheffield Neighborhood Association: 1st Place Community Landscapes, Region 3

2200 North Clifton

32nd Ward

Master Gardener Laury Lewis provided technical assistance.

Sheffield Neighborhood Association: 3rd Place Community Landscapes, Region 3

Multiple Streetside Planters

32nd and 43rd Wards

Master Gardener Laury Lewis provided technical assistance.

Brickyard Community Garden: 2nd Place Community Landscapes, Region 5

6115 South Woodlawn

20th Ward

This community garden was started by Master Gardener Dorothy Pytel.

True Spirit International Ministries: 3rd Place Community Landscapes, Region 5

539 West 120th Street

34th Ward

Extension financially supported this garden. Nancy Kreith, Master Gardeners Jalaine May and Deby Kennedy and students from Fenger High School provided technical assistance. Retired Chicago Public School teacher, June Bethly started this garden.

Whittier School Xochiquetzal Peace Garden: 2nd Place Schools, Region 4

1900 West 23rd Street

25th Ward

Extension has financially supported this garden and Master Gardeners Donna Oppolo, Felix Palacio, and Irene Vitullo-Krull have provided technical assistance

University of Illinois Extension Demonstration Gardens:2nd Place, Schools, Region 5

3807 West 111th Street

19th Ward

Nancy Kreith, Ron Wolford, Ag School Interns and Master Gardeners Chuck Malatesta,Charlot Richards, Sandra Taeuber and Kathy Maskall have coordinated, planted and maintained the demo gardens outside of the Extension office at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

Multi-Unit Residential, Region 1: 2nd Place

3933 North Tripp

38th Ward

Master gardener Maureen Taylor won for her yard

Multi-Unit Residential, Region 5: 1st Place

1404-08 West 119th Street

34th Ward

Master Gardener Aletha M. Cohen won this award for her garden

Single Family Residential, Region 3: 3rd Place

2216 North Wayne

32nd Ward

Master Gardener Laury Lewis won for his yard.


Posted by Ron Wolford at 3:00 AM | Permalink |

November 7, 2007

Season Extension Workshop

Grow Vegetables in Chicago
ALL YEAR LONG! SEASON EXTENSION WORKSHOP

John Biernbaum, PhD
Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at Michigan State University & Director of the Student Organic Farm: A FOUR SEASON farm run by students in East Lansing, MI

November 17, 2007 (Saturday)


10 a.m. to 2 p.m.


Chicago Center for Green Technology


445 North Sacramento Avenue


Cost: $20 includes materials


The Hoophouse Handbook/ can also be purchased ($15)


Space is Limited – Register Now!


For More Information & to Register
YOU MUST Call or Email:
Angelic Organics Learning Center
773-288-5462 Urban Initiative (Chicago)
chicago@learngrowconnect.org

Made possible with generous support from USDA's Risk Management Agency

Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:14 PM | Permalink |

November 6, 2007

Free Magnolia Tree

Master Gardeners,

I want to give away a Magnolia tree with beautiful yellow blooms in spring. It is about 7' tall, and 5' wide. I planted it about 2 years ago--bought it at Gethsemane. It was supposed to be on the small side, but it needs more space than my yard can provide. It is currently residing in South Andersonville. If any of the Master Gardeners want to dig it out send an e-mail to ssd1454@aol.com.

Thanks,

Susan Darnall

Posted by Ron Wolford at 12:46 AM | Permalink |

November 4, 2007

New Extension Search Engine

One Search is a new search engine powered by Google that searches 773 Cooperative Extension websites. This search engine allows you to limit your searches to Cooperative Extension Service resources providing research-based information.

Posted by Ron Wolford at 4:41 PM | Permalink |