Food Preservation

Register at:  https://events.anr.msu.edu/PreserveHarvest/

Master Gardener course to be held.

MSU Extension offers 14-Week Extension Master Gardener Course in Marshall

Do you want to learn more about Michigan’s plants, trees, shrubs, grasses, and share this knowledge with people in your community? Does engaging in research-based training on 14 major horticulture topics and environmentally sound practices excite you? Would you like to improve the quality of life and inspire others in your community through service-based horticulture activities? Enrollment is now open for the Calhoun County Extension Master Gardener training.

Who:    18 years of age or older

When: Mondays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., August 24, 2020 to November 23, 2020

Where: Online and Marshall United Methodist Church, 721 US Hwy 27N in Marshall

Please note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes will be held online via Zoom until we are able to meet in person.

How:  Application and Registration Link will be provided after the applicant has begun the Volunteer Selection Process (VSP) - Click here to start: https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/#/volunteer_home

Cost: $325 (scholarships may be available) 

Michigan State University Extension offered its first Extension Master Gardener program in 1978 and since then, more than 40,000 residents from 80 Michigan counties have been involved in the MSU Extension Master Gardener Program.

Enrolling in the Extension Master Gardener Program as a trainee requires only an enthusiasm for gardening and a willingness and commitment to attend the 14-week training and pass all open-book quizzes and tests with a minimum score on each of 80%. After completing the course, trainees perform 40 hours of science-based volunteer activities within their first year.

MSU Extension encourages anyone interested who would like more information to visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/master_gardener_volunteer_program/join-us/ or email Julie Ford at fordjul2@msu.edu.

Application deadline is August 1, 2020.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Save empty egg cartons to start your spring seedlings in.

Mix a little cold tea, used tea leaves, or coffee grounds with plant soil to aerate it and feed the plants. This mixture is good for ferns. The water from boiling eggs is also nutritious for plants.

Why should I get an MSU Soil Test?

Why you should test your garden’s soil and what you’ll learn when using MSU Extension’s handy soil test kit.

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension

Smart gardeners often think of getting their soil tested in preparation for planting in the spring because it can give seeds or plants a better chance of growing. But there are gardeners who have not heard about soil testing or are not sure what kind of information a soil test will give them.
It could be about the World View or the “Me” View.
World View: By knowing what nutrients are already in the soil, you are not adding additional, which can run off from the site. Fertilizer washing off into drains, ditches or other areas can contaminate surface and groundwater. Phosphorus causes abundant plant growth in ponds and lakes. The verdant green surface of the water is caused by algae and duckweed which are enabled by excess nutrients. Gardeners with a soil test recommendation aren’t guessing; they are using science for an answer.
“Me” View: If I know what’s in my soil, I just have to add what will help my plants grow better. I know what to use and how much to apply. This saves me money and I get better plants and better vegetables and fruit. I know what to buy and how much to use.
Where can I get a Soil Test Self-Mailer? Purchase at shop.msu.edu or some local Michigan State University Extension office have them for sale.
What kinds of tests are available? Your soil can be tested for use as a vegetable garden, lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers, tree fruit and small fruit—each are available as individual tests. For each purchased soil test, you can choose one kind of test. Each kind of test is designed for the crop or kind of test you select.
How much does this cost? A test and kit costs $25, which includes envelope and postage to send the kit to the MSU Soils Lab. You do not have to go to the post office; you just drop it in the mail box.
What do I get for my money and how long does it take? You receive an envelope containing a plastic bag for the soil that you will mail back, directions on how to take the soil and an information sheet to fill out and return. Your return envelope does not need postage. In about two weeks, you will receive an email with your recommendation.
What does it test for? This test is for nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, soil pH and organic matter percentage. Your recommendation will include which nutrients are needed and in what amount per 1,000 square feet. Nitrogen will be included in the recommendation, if needed.
What does it not test for? Contamination, heavy metals or pollutants. It would be necessary to contact a private lab for specialized testing for these. A soil test for nutrients does not test for evidence of disease or insect problem or any sort of contamination.
How often should I get a soil test? Once every three years will give you the ability to see how much the soil has changed since you have been following your recommendation. You will also find out what you need to do differently like add less potassium or reduce the amount of organic matter you have been adding. Keep your tests and put them where you can compare them.
Are there certain amounts of nutrients or a soil pH that my soil should have? The nutrient amounts will be part of your recommendation, telling you what to add. A soil pH of 6.5 or in the vicinity works well for a vegetable or flower garden and a pH of 6.0 or slightly above for trees and shrubs. If the soil has five percent organic matter or a little higher, it is adequate.
If I have a question about my soil test recommendation, what can I do? Online, email your question through the Ask an Expert box on the www.msusoiltest.com webpage. Or by phone, call the Michigan State University Extension Lawn and Garden Hotline: 888-678-3464.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To help stop heat loss from the foundation of your house during the winter, shovel three or four feet of snow up against the side of he house to act as insulation.

Restore natural scent to cedar chests or closets by lightly sanding the interiors.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

I you have to run the water forever until it gets hot, wrap your hot water pipes in an easy-to-apply foam blanket, available at hardware or building supply stores. Not only will you save on the water bill, but your hot water heating costs will be reduced too.

A small amount of oil or butter added to the water when cooking pasta prevents it from boiling over or sticking together.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To remove rust marks from clothing, squeeze lemon juice on the spots, pat with salt and hang the garment in the sun to dry.

Line freezer baskets with net so that small items do not fall through. A full, tightly packed freezer runs economically.

Back to school success

Five steps for an easy transition back to school.

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Carrie Shrier, Michigan State University Extension

It’s back to school time and all across Michigan, children are picking out the perfect backpack, buying new shoes, checking items off of a teacher’s supply list and finding out who is in their new classroom. Going back to school is a fun, exciting and scary time for children. It’s very normal for children to feel anxious about going back to school. They might worry about who will be in their classroom, if their teacher will be friendly, how to find the bathroom and if they might end up on the wrong bus at the end of the day. Michigan State University Extension recommends the following tips for a smooth transition back to school.

1. Talk to your child about their concerns

It can be tempting to brush away children’s concerns about going back to school. Instead, listen actively to their worries and fears. Be reflective in your language, saying back to them what you hear, “You’re worried about getting lost in the hallways,” or “You’re concerned that you won’t have friends in your class.” Acknowledge their fears and take steps to address them. Perhaps going up to school to walk the halls before school starts or finding a friend that is in their class can help them feel more confident that first day.

2. Visit the school

What is familiar is less scary. Many schools have an orientation the week before school starts. These are usually a time for your child to meet their teacher, find their coat hook, desk and cubby, tour the lunchroom, etc. Make sure to save this time on your calendar to attend with your child. Going to school, finding friends in their classroom and meeting their teacher can instill much confidence and help kids be excited for the first day.

3. Plan ahead

Talk through the routine of the day with your child. If you know their schedule, share that information. If your child is being bused, make sure they know the bus number and the routine. Consider writing the bus number in permanent marker on young children’s hands the first few days. Place a slip of paper into their backpack with their bus number, your cell phone number and other contact information. Talk to kids about what to do if you don’t show up for pick up or if you’re not there at the bus stop. Having a contingency plan helps gives children the security that they know what to do when something goes wrong.

4. Read books

There are many great books about going back to school. Reading books is another great way to make school more familiar, less scary and address potential fears and concerns, particularly for incoming kindergartners. Some suggested titles include:

• “Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten” by Joseph Slate,
• “The Night Before Kindergarten” and “The Night Before First Grade” by Natasha Wing,
• “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
• “How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?” by Jane Yolen
• “Junie B. Jones First Grade at Last” by Barbara Park

5. Get ready together

Many schools send out suggested supply lists, take time with your child to go shopping and pick out their supplies. In many classrooms, these are communal supplies and donated to the class rather than kept in individual pencil boxes, so prepare your child to share if that’s the case. Let them pick out a special backpack and lunch box, new school shoes and the other things that help them feel ready. Be sure they feel comfortable and confident about things like where their classroom is and how to get home at the end of the day.
For most of Michigan’s children, the start of school is just about here. As you’re enjoying the last gasp of summer vacation, take time to be sure your children are comfortable, confident and prepared about their return to school. Have a great school year!

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://bit.ly/MSUENews. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Key chains sewed into the collars of children's coats and jackets provide strong hangers.

Roll sausages in flour before you fry them. This will prevent them from shrinking and breaking up in the pan. Alternatively, boil them first for eight minutes.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Save plastic containers from cottage cheese, yogurt, margarine etc. and use as containers when freezing food.

Give stainless-steel pans a good shine by rubbing with flour. Remove heat marks with a scouring pad and lemon juice.

Healthy camping

Eating healthy during the outdoor adventures could be tricky. Use these easy tips to have a nourishing, safe and fun food experience during camping.

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Andrea Aguilar, Michigan State University Extension

This warm and wonderful weather means it is time to gather up with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors. Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the summer. Common meals when preparing to go camping tend to include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, soft drinks and s’mores. Although it is undeniable that these are tasty treats that put a smile on our faces, they are generally full of fat, sugar, sodium and preservatives. These foods will not give you the proper nutrients you need to hike or swim. On the contrary, these foods could negatively affect your outdoors experience. Be careful and smart when choosing camping meals!
Eating healthy during the outdoor adventures could be tricky – there are some easy tips you could follow to have a nourishing and safe food experience during camping:

• Pack plenty of water – not soft drinks. Engaging in physical activities during hot weather, such as, biking, hiking and swimming, increases the amount of water your body needs. It is essential to stay hydrated, when camping, especially when engaging in exerting activities.
• Keep your food and water safe. Pack foods in tight, waterproof bags or containers. Keep them in an insulated cooler. Separate raw foods from cooked foods.
• Don’t forget to bring snacks. Wash, cut and pre-pack fruits and veggies in plastic containers or snack storage bags. If you are using a cooler for storage, you do not want storage containers and bags to fill with water, this is an important consideration to avoid any cross-contamination with raw meats.
• If you go for a hike or bike ride, pack easy to carry foods, examples include: trail mix, nuts, seeds, nut-based bars or nut butter packs, dried or freeze-dried fruits and veggies, energy bars, chews or gels.
• Wash hands and surfaces often. Use hand sanitizer if water is not available.
• Cook to proper temperatures. Use a food thermometer to be sure cooked food has reached a safe internal temperature. Choose pre-cooked packaged turkey burgers, hot dogs, bacon and any other pre-cooked meats if you are cooking on the fire and you cannot control the temperature. Make sure they are well cooked before eating!
• Refrigerate promptly below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a refrigerator, pack perishable food, including meat or poultry, with plenty of ice or icepacks in a well-insulated cooler to keep the temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Store leftovers in the cooler only if it still has ice. Keep the cooler in as cool a place as possible. Perishable food cannot be kept out in hot weather (90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) for more than one hour; in mild weather temperatures, under 90 degrees Fahrenheit , perishable items should not be kept out for more than two hours.
• Plan your meals to include whole grains, vegetables and fruits. For example: whole wheat pizza sandwich and warm slices of apples with brown sugar and cinnamon. Check the Camping Meal Planner for healthy camping recipes and shopping lists.
• Enjoy s’mores as “treats,” not as every night desert.
• Stay active; go for a hike, bike ride, swim or a run. Burn all those s’mores calories!

Following these tips are healthy and easy ways towards a balanced diet. If you would like to learn more about heathy lifestyles, visit My Plate. Michigan State University Extension offers educational programs for adults, families and children that focus on lifestyle changes to promote healthy eating.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://bit.ly/MSUENews. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Clean sliding door gliders, then run either paraffin wax or a candle over them to facilitate easier, quieter opening and closing.

Pay special attention to sink drain holes and overflows. Clean with a bottle brush, and pour a little bleach down them once a week.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To add fresh fruit flavor to yogurt, buy plain yogurt and mix with any fresh fruit in a blender.

In an emergency, it is important to stay calm. When calling emergency services, try to answer questions an give details precisely. Stay on the line until the dispatcher hangs up.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To remove damp and musty odors in closets, place used coffee grounds in an open container in the closet. This can also be used in the refrigerator to control odors.

Freeze soup stock in ice-cube trays, then store the cubes in a plastic bag in the freezer until needed.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

When eggs crack during boiling, add a little vinegar to the water to help seal the crack.
Paint clear nail polish on the posts of earrings to stop tarnish from causing ear infections.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

If arthritis is making it difficult to grasp a pen, push the pen through a small rubber ball.

Stuff wet shoes and boots with newspaper to speed the drying process. Stretch tight shoes by stuffing them with wet, crumpled newspaper and letting them stand overnight. Stuffing rolls of newspaper into boots will help them keep their shape.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To dry the insides of children's winter boots or summer rubbers quickly, put the hose of the vacuum cleaner into the boot and turn on the blower.

If peanut butter dries out, adding a spoonful of liquid honey will make the peanut butter moist again. Stir the honey in well.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Place a small piece of cotton in the fingers of rubber gloves to help prevent holes from fingernails.

Rub chalk down the edge of the door, then close it. The chalk will leave a mark on the frame at the contact point. Plane the area. If sliding doors stick, apply floor polish to the tracks.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To prevent chairs scratching the floors, put self-stick bunion pads on the bottom of the chair legs.

Grate leftover citrus peel, add a little sugar, and store this homemade peel in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To save energy, do not preheat the oven before cooking casseroles or meat dishes.

For mud on carpets, let it dry (this usually takes one or two hours), then vacuum up the deposit. If necessary, use a stiff brush to loosen the dried mud first.