The Source

John Beeley: What can’t he wrangle?

By Kaydence Gregory
The Source Newspaper

Photos/Kaydence Gregory and Special to The Source

Growing up in the world of livestock — with early mornings in the barn and long summers spent with 4-H and the beloved Morgan County Fair — John Beeley knows that success rarely comes easy.

As a member of the East Side Juniors 4-H Club, Beeley learned that the experience was so much more than raising animals. It became a lesson in responsibility, resilience and finding purpose in hard work.

Now a graduate of Jacksonville High School and preparing to continue his education in agriculture at John Wood Community College, Beeley reflects on the obstacles that shaped him; from personal challenges to a devastating barn fire that tested his future plans. Through it all, his passion for producing and showing livestock has remained steady — ultimately offering not only a career path, but also a deeper understanding for perseverance, community and what it means to grow up in and around agriculture.

Learning responsibility at such a young age came from caring for market hogs, balancing school and work at Jones Meat & Locker, and days at the fairgrounds for Beeley. Influenced by various people such as his grandmother, Rosemary Beeley; his 4-H leader, Caroline Bartz; and his cousins, Annie Jackson, Mandy Jackson, Lori Jackson and Ginny Jackson; Beeley believes that, “4-H is much more than people think.”

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, delivered nationwide to nearly six million kids and teens by the Cooperative Extension system, a partnership of over 100 public land-grant universities and thousands of local offices. With the core values of 4-H — Head, Heart, Hands and Health — 8-year-old Beeley allowed the pledge of the 4-H program to influence the very foundation of his moral compass: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

Learning how to celebrate others and learning how to lose are some of Beeley’s favorite things he’s taken from the

program. It’s not just about competition, but perseverance and community.

Beeley urges the youth to participate in 4-H, and emphases that a person does not have to come from an agricultural background. “You can live in town and still show bunny rabbits. You can have interests in livestock, art, clothing, plants or even a mowing business,” explains Beeley.

The respect and interpersonal skills he acquired from 4-H inspire him to reach out to help children especially.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he shares.

Beeley’s journey, through 4-H and otherwise, has been shaped by both triumph and hardship.

After an electrical fire that took his barn and first ever sheep (Bubs, Karen and Abby), Beeley made it through with the support of his family and local heroes. Specifically, he expressed his gratitude for Jacksonville fire services and his grandfather.

“Grandpa is the anchor in the family; I couldn’t accomplish most of what I have without his help,” reveals Beeley.

John Beeley is a young man grounded in family. With Beeley Transport as the family business, he always knew diligence. He attests that his work ethic came naturally when surrounded by such tenacious, steadfast family members.

It was his cousin, Annie Jackson, and her love for livestock that made Beeley interested in the same. He said that pigs are undeniably his favorite. His Duroc pigs Socks and Sprinkles are his most favored at the moment.

Being that his animals are shown at the Morgan County Fair every year, Beeley has also come to say that, “MoCo Fair is family.” Showing rabbits, goats, sheep, cattle and pigs, there was plenty for Beeley to learn from his peers.

For Beeley, livestock is more than a hobby or competition; it is his way of life built on patience, sacrifice and pride. He has grasped that success is not solely measured by banners or trophies, but by character.

As his new chapter at John Wood Community College approaches, he is confident that the support from his family and friends as well as from the Jacksonville community will never waver. Beeley carries a courage and determination that has proven no obstacle is too large to overcome. There is nothing John Beeley cannot wrangle.

U of I Extension

What’s causing these circles in the lawn? Fairy rings

By Ken Johnson
The Source Newspaper

Have you ever noticed a near-perfect circle of lush green grass or a ring of mushrooms growing in a lawn? While these patterns may seem concerning or even supernatural, they are caused by soil-dwelling fungi and are commonly referred to as fairy rings.

WHAT ARE FAIRY RINGS?

Fairy rings are caused by around 50 species of fungi. The fungi do not attack grass roots; they feed on decaying organic matter (tree stumps, roots, thatch, construction debris, etc.) buried in the soil. As the fungi consume this material, they grow outward from a central point, typically forming a relatively uniform circular pattern. The rings typically range in size from 2 to 15 feet across but can reach over 50 feet.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAIRY RINGS

Fairy rings most commonly appear as a band of dark-green, fast-growing turf. They may also appear as a ring of thin, brown or dead grass. After periods of rainfall, mushrooms or puffballs may emerge along the ring edge, marking the boundary of the fungal colony.

There are three different types of fairy rings that can develop:

• Type I is the most problematic type of fairy ring. In these rings, dense fungal growth in the soil creates a water-repellent (hydrophobic) layer that prevents water from reaching the roots. This causes the turf to become water-stressed and eventually die. Fortunately, this is the least common type in home landscapes.
• Type II fairy rings produce dark green, vigorously growing grass. This happens because nitrogen and other nutrients are released into the soil as fungi break down organic matter.
• Type III fairy rings appear as rings of mushrooms with little to no visible change in turf (for better or worse). These fairy rings are most commonly seen after heavy or prolonged rainfall.

HOW DO I GET RID OF FAIRY RINGS?

In most cases, fairy rings do not damage turf and are cosmetic ‘problems,’ and management is not necessary. While the rings may persist for several years, they will eventually disappear as their food source is exhausted or environmental conditions change.

Managing fairy rings typically focuses on masking symptoms and improving soil conditions rather than eliminating the fungi:

• To prevent fairy rings from forming in the first place, potential food sources such as tree stumps, large roots and construction lumber should be removed from an area before planting the lawn.
• In turf that has Type I fairy rings, soil can be core aerated to help break up fungal mats and improve water infiltration.
• If Type II fairy rings are an issue, nitrogen can be applied to green-up the other turf in a lawn to mask the presence of the fairy ring.
• For Type III fairy rings, mushrooms can be removed by hand-picking (wear gloves), raking or mowing when they appear.
• Fungicides are typically not effective at managing fairy rings and should not be used to manage them.

It’s important to remember that these fungi are performing a natural and beneficial role, breaking down organic material and returning nutrients to the soil. While the patterns they create may be unusual, they make great conversation starters, and perhaps a chance to spot a fairy or two.

**Good Growing Fact of the Week: In many parts of Europe, it was believed that fairy rings formed where fairies or elves had danced overnight. Some traditions warn that stepping into a fairy ring could bring bad luck, illness or transport you to another world, while others suggest that fairy rings bring good fortune.

Here are some area happenings taking place soon! Find out more in our SUMMER GUIDE edition of The Source published on May 28.