Japanese Beetles

My family planted two new fruit trees this spring, little did we know but Plum trees are a favorite of the Japanese Beetle! They have almost stripped all the leaves off our new tree. We did some research and found a really cool handbook published by the USDA. I'm going to visit with my Extension Agent, Mark and see about distributing information on using Milky Spores in the fall to kill the Japanese Beetle grubs. These are most effective when used as a community. Take a look at the map in the handbook, it is pretty amazing where the beetles are located and how many millions of dollars they are costing our country! (If the link doesn't work for you, let me know and I can e-mail you the .pdf file.)

Alzheimers's Memory Walk

Hello everyone! Each year, their is a fundraiser walk for Alzheimer's. I have created a group to participate and would love it if you would join me! Our group goal is to reach $500 and every little bit helps! My group is in memory of my Great-Aunt Jo who recently passed away with complications due to Alzheimer's. Here is a link to my team page-you can select join my team or you can make a donation. Every dollar helps!

Cloverbud Day Camp

Hey everyone! Yesterday was our Cloverbud Day camp and it was a lot of fun! The kids learned about composting, they planted flowers, learned how to identify a Redbud, Red Oak, White Oak and Elm, made bottle rockets and made their own recycled capes. It was a lot of fun and it was awesome to see the kids taking an interest in everything we had! I had a lot of fun and the kids seemed to learn a lot!

Fourth of July 'Green' Tips

Just a few tips for enjoying our Independence Day this weekend!

• Instead of adding waste to our landfills and purchasing a bunch of paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils, why not use your own dishes. Instead of paper napkins try using cloth ones since they can be washed and used again and again. It may mean more cleaning up time for you but it will do the environment a big favor. And if you must buy throw away plates and cups make sure they are biodegradable.


• Forget pouring a half a bottle of lighter fluid all over your coals which subsequently gets cooked into the food. Use a chimney starter. They are inexpensive and beats using toxic lighter fluid any day.


• If you plan on having a personal fireworks display, make sure you have a water source near where you plan to launch the fireworks. Ensure that your launch pad is a safe distance from houses & trees; never hold or fire from your hands. Family and friends should stand back at least 10 feet. Most importantly, clean up when you are finished. Account for all fireworks you have set off-you don't want un-popped fireworks winding up in a child's hands and causing an injury.

Thank you!

A big thank you to Amy Wilson and Beaver Water District for donating 40 water bottles to the Benton County 4-H Cloverbud Camp! It is going to be very exciting! Earlier today we got to go to the Beaver Water District to pick up the water bottles and they have a beautiful new building and are devloping lots of neat new things to do to help you learn about how the water gets to your faucet! Click here to go to the Beaver Water District website and look around! Also make sure you take the Water Quiz! =D It was a lot of fun!