UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION FULTON-MASON-PEORIA-TAZEWELL UNIT
TAZEWELL MAIN OFFICE
1505 Valle Vista Blvd Pekin, IL 61554 309-347-6614
FULTON BRANCH
15411 N IL 100 Hwy Lewistown, IL 61542 309-547-3711
MASON BRANCH 127 S High St, Ste 1 Havana, IL 62644 309-543-3308
PEORIA BRANCH 4810 N Sheridan Rd Peoria, IL 61614 309-685-3140
Email uie-fmpt@illinois.edu
Website extension.illinois.edu/fmpt
Facebook @UniversityofIllinoisExtFulton MasonPeoriaTazewell
Sally Bair, Astoria
Shundell Broomfield, Peoria
Hector Corona, Lewistown
Janine Donahue, Morton
Kim Dunnigan, Fiatt
Melissa Gilson, Havana
*Maria Gottemoller, Princeville
Paul Gottemoller, Princeville
Cindy Intravartolo, Dunfermline
Holly Koch, Tremont
Katherine Mueller, Peoria
Emily Rogier, Pekin
DeAnna Thomas, Manito
Dinah VanDelinder, Topeka
Patty Wiegers, Lewistown *youth member
Do you know what makes us a good education and service organization? The answer is THE PEOPLE!
THE PEOPLE includes our staff, our volunteers, our partners, our stakeholders, and our participants. Without any particular one of these groups, we would not be as valuable and as effective as we are. My appreciation and thankfulness go out to each and every person involved in what we do. This year’s annual report is a tribute to each of you.
As you review our annual report this year, please take an extra-long look at each and every photo, and take note of the individuals you see, what they are doing, and their expressions. Know that even if YOU aren’t featured in one of them, YOU certainly could have been, and that we as a fourcounty unit are grateful for what you contributed towards our success in serving the public.
A big thank you to you all,
Making people and communities better.
To extend research-based information, technology, and best practices from the university arena into public and private arenas in order to strengthen local communities and improve people’s lives. To adapt research-based knowledge into accessible forms
that every person we serve will experience and recognize a positive impact from our work.
Volunteer efforts can lead Extension Master Naturalists (EMN) on some fun adventures. Sometimes those adventures are as close as their backyard. Community Science programs have given EMNs opportunities to use their skills and knowledge to impact their communities and beyond.
Local EMNs have been providing their expertise to Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, BeeSpotter, Bumble Bee Watch, FrogWatch USA, CoCoRaHS, Great Backyard Bird Count, Great Sunflower Project, Illinois RiverWatch, iNaturalist, Monarch Watch, Monitoring of Owls and Nightjars, and Project Squirrel.
Community Science programs are often described as public participation in scientific research. It is also known as citizen science, crowd science, and volunteer monitoring.
Kate MacIntrye shared, “Citizen Science is a great way to help in some way, but on my own schedule. My background is in Biology, so it is a way for me to still collect data and see interesting results based on many other Community Scientists all over the world!”
More Extension Master Naturalists have shared their stories about their Community Scientist experiences at go.illinois.edu/EMNstories.
• Mary Zehner (photo above), eBird
• Dina Pettit, NestWatch
• Carla Presnell, Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network
• Marcia Heitz, Riverwatch, Nightjars Monitoring, & Monarch Watch
Ted Snider, 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer focuses on goal setting, skill instruction, encouragement, and fun
The 4-H Shooting Sports volunteers take the lead in teaching the disciplines and management of the local clubs. It is the volunteers who ultimately make the county program successful. Mason 4-H Shooting Sports archery instructor Ted Snider is an instrumental part of the team that makes it an outstanding program.
“When my kids joined 4-H Shooting Sports, I knew pretty quickly I wanted to join in the fun,” shares Ted. Over the last five years Ted has taught dozens of youth in the program, three of whom are his own. “My own kids and others all get the same coach/ dad,” Ted said. His teaching method begins by presenting his expectations. He then allows youth to make their own choices about how seriously they want to work towards any goal. He provides a supportive nudge when necessary, and believes once given the opportunity for personal goal setting, the achievements can fully belong to the youth.
Ted has also served as the Illinois 4-H Recurve Archery coach to the youth who participate in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Competition. Ted shared, ‘If I could pick what youth gain most from 4-H Shooting Sports, I hope it is the confidence in their success in anything they do, according to their effort.”
Ted Snider, Mason 4-H Archery Instructor
“As for my coaching technique, it’s the same no matter the venue...encourage kids, then get out of their way!”
“Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.” - Kirill Korshikov.
Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Bob Coppernoll is a shining example of this truth. Bob completed EMG training in 1992 after retiring from Caterpillar, Inc. as a computer programmer. He has enjoyed 30 years volunteering in the Peoria area and completing continuing education in horticulture.
“I have built on my past experiences and learned new skills,” explained Bob. He has volunteered in a variety of ways over the years and currently volunteers in the Illinois Central College gardens.
“On Tuesday mornings when we arrive at ICC gardens, we know we will see Bob,“ stated EMG Jennifer Bass. “He always has a plan and ideas to share. He shares and assists in any way he can...from providing tools to teaching us new plants to inviting us to his home to learn more about the trees he has. He truly works to help all of us be the best we can.”
When asked about some of the changes that have occurred over the years, Bob remembers the program being much smaller and less structured in the 1990s, with only about a dozen members in Peoria County. Today, Master Gardeners complete an extensive 60-hour curriculum specific to local climate, soils, and vegetation. There are currently more than 70 EMGs who reside in Peoria County.
One of the highlights from those early years was a live, radio call-in show on WMBD hosted by local
Master Gardeners. Bob and his late wife, Lois (also a Master Gardener), were regular contributors. “It was fun. We never knew what questions we were going to get and there were some memorable ones!”
Some things have stood the test of time, such as the feeling of camaraderie felt within the group. Bob shared that his favorite part about the Master Gardener program has always been the social interaction. “It seems to me that every Master Gardener meeting results in meeting someone new and a new friendship formed,” continued Bob.
Bob was recognized as “State Outstanding Master Gardener” in 1996 and “Master Gardener Sustained Excellence” in 1999, an honor only bestowed upon 1-2% of active Master Gardeners in the state.
”To be recognized among a very talented and dedicated group of Master Gardeners illustrates the depth of Bob’s contribution,” explained Tara Heath, horticulture program coordinator. “We are so thankful for Bob and his many years of service.”
Bob lives in Chillicothe, and in addition to gardening, enjoys beekeeping and genealogy.
“I don’t plan on ever retiring from Master Gardening; it keeps me young. There are so many opportunities to learn and volunteer from home. I’d like to encourage more folks to do the same.”
Bob Coppernoll, Extension Master GardenerSunshine, beautiful gardens, space to play, and educational activities make for a great day. Those are the key elements Extension Master Gardeners had in mind as they planned the second annual Young Garden Explorer’s Day at Illinois Central College (ICC). This year’s event almost tripled in attendance with 112 youth and adults exploring the gardens.
As the name implies, the event was a fun opportunity for pre-school through elementary school children and their families to learn about the natural world. Activities included vegetable tasting featuring produce grown in the ICC vegetable plots, storytime, lessons about insects, making a butterfly craft, a garden scavenger hunt, and more. Of course, the children also loved the multiple spaces to dig in the soil and play in the water.
“One of the guests told me her kids loved the morning. They were busy from the time they got out of the car until they were leaving,” commented Jennifer Bass, Extension Master Gardener and event planning committee chair. “The kids were engaged, interested, and listening to what was being taught at each table. I think we accomplished our mission.”
The Extension Master Gardener’s demo garden was a favorite place to walk the paths, learn about each of the plots, and find the hidden monarch caterpillar on the milkweed. The garden space is divided into small sections: cut flower garden, day-lily display, ornamental grass display, sensory garden, miniature garden, small fruits, vegetables, and a host/nectar garden for butterflies. Each section of the garden has educational signage to help visitors learn more about
The Master Gardener demonstration gardens at Illinois Central College are a place for young and old to explore and learn. Young Garden Explorer’s Day is just one educational community event brought to life thanks to the partnership with ICC.
different garden styles and plant names. The ICC Horticulture Program and Extension have been working together to bring new educational opportunities to the community. The Young Garden Explorer’s Day is one outcome of this partnership.
Extension Horticulture Educator Nicole FlowersKimmerle says, “We will keep looking for more ways to work together to positively impact the community. Working with the ICC Horticulture Program is a way Extension Master Gardeners can further their mission of Helping Others Learn to Grow.”
Playing in the soil was one of the favorite activities at Young Garden Explorer’s Day at Illinois Central College horticulture lab and gardens. This is the second year Extension Master Gardeners have coordinated this program and it drew a large crowd this year.
Photo by Anita Wilkinson
Hailey Farlow enjoyed the SNAPEducation Healthy Cents class held at Garden of Hope in Peoria. This particular day the lesson focused on container gardening.
Photo by Rebecca Crumrine
The issue of food insecurity touches multiple program areas within our scope and falls squarely within our efforts to address one of Extension’s grand challenges to provide a safe and abundant food supply for all. This past year the SNAP-Education and horticulture teams worked both independently and collaboratively to enhance our ability to address food insecurity within our unit.
Grow A Row is a partnership with Tazewell County Health Department to connect community gardens, home growers, and farmers with the local emergency food system. This year a total of 23,279 pounds were donated from 25 gardens, including nine Extension Master Gardener (EMG) donation gardens.
At least 43 various types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs were donated to 31 charitable food organizations or directly to families with need.
St. Anne’s Garden of Hope was the food donation garden that gave the most produce, and EMG Jane Mottram of Peoria volunteered the most hours in a food donation garden this season. Integrated Referral and Intake System (IRIS)
IRIS is a web-based, bi-directional referral communication tool Food Pantry Network-Heart of Illinois utilizes to connect families with emergency food and resources. This new resource allows food pantries to reach more families in need.
The 2022 program year saw the following impacts:
• 87 one-time emergent food deliveries
• 163 referrals for food resources information
SNAP-Ed helps coordinate deliveries and management of a volunteer database that allow for the needs to be addressed within minutes to hours.
The Morton Giving Garden averages 2,500 pounds of produce each year that is donated to local food pantries. Thanks to the Community Garden Network and Integrated Referral and Intake System (IRIS) this produce is able to be distributed to people who can use it, while it is still fresh. EMGs Karen Shelly (pictured above) and Donna Cottrell (right) joined seven additional EMGs in the Morton Giving Garden this year.
Extension staff integrated food insecurity educational topics within ongoing programs. Examples include:
• Included container gardening lessons in SNAP-Ed curriculum
• Engaged Master Gardeners in five book studies to improve vegetable gardening expertise
• Encouraged EMG food donation gardens to join Community Garden Network
• Added a food insecurity presentation to the Master Gardener Speakers Bureau topic list
Outdoor classrooms inspire, encourage, and educate Extension Master Naturalists
Not all classrooms are designed with four walls, desks, and chairs. Extension Master Naturalists (EMN) prefer them with open sky, fresh air, insects, and even an animal track or two.
To maintain an “active” volunteer status, EMNs do at least ten hours of continuing education each year. Some of those educational opportunities are coordinated by Extension staff. When that happens, there is a good chance that it will be an outdoor adventure.
“We have so many great natural areas to explore,” explained Christine Belless, ag and natural resources coordinator. “There are many benefits to coordinating continuing education events at these sites throughout the year.”
In addition to learning from the expert guide, EMNs learn from each other as they hike through the woods, prairies, and outdoor spaces. Each adventure gives EMNs the opportunity to explore sites that may be new to them, which gives them the opportunity to bring more public awareness to that location. It also sparks their interest in additional volunteer opportunities.
This year, EMNs reported 1,190 continuing education hours, which averages 14 hours per volunteer. As volunteers enjoy the outdoor classrooms, often they do work such as pull invasive species or spread native plant seeds... so the lines get blurred between volunteer hours and continuing education. Either way, the benefits of the EMN adventures are exponential.
PhotosbyAnitaWilkinson
Horseshoe Bottoms, West Peoria Fowler Farm, Macomb Prairie Hills Wetland Reserve, Banner Camp Wokanda, Peoria Jake Wolf Fish Hatchery, Topeka
Revis Hill Prairie State Natural Area, Mason County on the bluffs of the Sangamon River Valley
Extension staff coordinate many outdoor adventures/continuing education opportunities for Master Naturalists. The 2022 trainees are pictured at Spring Creek Preserve, outside of East Peoria, and EMN Carla Rich Montez joined the hike at Horseshoe Bottoms (upper left.)
Everywhere you turn in the 4-H Learning Garden at Wildlife Prairie Park there is something inspiring to see and new to learn.
Extension Master Gardeners team up with 4-H youth to grow a creative garden at Wildlife Prairie Park
The 4-H Learning Garden is a colorful and productive garden that grows food for the Wildlife Prairie Park animals while serving as a demonstration and learning tool. Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) lead a 4-H special interest club at the park that focuses on gardening and art lessons.
“Our main goals are to provide healthy vegetables to enrich the diets of the animals, to display gardening methods for visitors, and to inspire youth to grow as both gardeners and artists,” explained EMG and club leader May Bach. “Our 2021 season had a record-breaking 1,672 pounds of produce and added several new art projects, including a colorful “petal power” bicycle! This summer had less produce but just as much fun and learning.”
The creative bicycle joins other art displays in the garden: caterpillar bench, ladybug bowling ball border, punny book brick border, hopscotch path, and tire snake to name a few. The garden also
includes educational displays that teach about topics such as composting, pollinators, and “eating a rainbow.”
During the gardening season, May and her fellow volunteers, EMGs Debbie Lane-Christian, Lynn Moon, Joan Houser, Randy Huber, Donna Noe, Laura Hertz, Radine Kellogg and Extension Master Naturalist Cindy Intravartolo, work with the youth in the garden weekly. They hold monthly educational meetings year-round.
In 2021 the garden was registered in the U of I I-Pollinate program. I-Pollinate enlists citizen scientists to collect state-wide pollinator data to better understand how gardens contribute to pollinator conservation. In addition to planting and maintaining an array of ornamental and native flowers, the 4-H members recorded data on butterflies, bees, and caterpillars they observed in the garden. In 2022, the project was honored with an Illinois Master Gardener team award.
The
The 4-H Learning Garden earned a state-level 2022 Illinois Master Gardener Team Award.
During the 2021-2022 4-H year, the garden included 15 youth, 6 Master Gardeners and 1 Master Naturalist .
PhotosbyAnitaWilkinson 4-H Learning Garden at Wildlife Prairie Park combines traditional vegetable gardening with art projects through a collaboration with Extension Master Gardeners and 4-H youth. Adult and youth volunteers team up to grow produce for the park’s animals and participate in monthly creative art sessions in and for the garden.To some, showing livestock may appear to be limited to the skills demonstrated within the show ring. But to those who have experienced it, they know the physical skills, life skills, and personal character development go much deeper. And participating in master showmanship contests takes it all to the next level.
Master showmanship requires youth to show swine, cattle, and sheep; rather than just showing the one or two species they are raising and involved with in 4-H. The goal is to showcase each person’s skills and knowledge across the three species.
“It is very rare that a 4-H member would have all three animal species,” commented Kristi Smith, Peoria County 4-H program coordinator. “When youth participate in master showmanship they are responsible for finding their own livestock. They have to pay attention to the other livestock shows going on, notice the temperament of the animals, and the other showmen. Then they have to step out of their comfort zones and ask to borrow an animal…sometimes from a fellow master showmanship contestant. “They are forced to reach across the aisle and ask their competitors to help them out. The exhibitors have to put someone else’s needs before their own to let them borrow an animal.”
It is not uncommon to see the youth teaching each other how best to show that particular
Lydia Rogers, Tazewell County; Kyle Bird, Peoria County; and Liz Hayden, Fulton County are the local 4-H members who participated in the Master Showmanship Contest at the 2022 Illinois State Fair. Master Showmanship contests are a youth development program that challenges youth to learn and grow in skills, knowledge, and character.
animal and sharing insights about the species that the judge may quiz them about.
“This takes ‘pledging your hands to larger service’ to a higher level,” Kristi said in reference to the 4-H pledge.
Local 2022 Master Showmanship Winners and State Fair Awards
Fulton County— Liz Hayden: 6th Place Overall & Reserve Champion Sheep
Peoria County—Kyle Bird: 4th Place Overall & Reserve Champion Beef
Tazewell County—Lydia Rogers
Andy Smith, 4-H alumni & 2015 Master Showmanship Champion
Master Showmanship opens up connections for youth; personally and professionallyPhotoby 4-Her EmmaGreen
“Master Showmanship really opened my eyes to the other opportunities that I could explore in animal science.”Photo by Kristi Smith
Mason 4-H Cloverbud Oliver J. exhibited one of his art projects during the 4-H Show. Cloverbuds, ages 5 to 7, are involved in hands-on, youth development activities at the club and county levels, that are designed for their stage of learning.
Photo by Anita Wilkinson
Experiential learning is engaging for 4-H meeting activities. “Let’s Learn!” has been the theme of the Pleasant Workers 4-H club meetings. Paul J. shows the chicken coop he created after learning facts about rabbits, chickens, and the avian bird flu from club member Tatum Bruce.
“Let’s Learn!” experiential learning theme develops self confidence in 4-H youth
Experiential learning is a longtime piece of the 4-H philosophy. It is one of our guiding principles that focuses on intentional learning experiences, where the integration of knowledge, skills, and behaviors of formal and non-formal education strategies are applied. Pleasant Workers 4-H Club in Mason County implemented an experiential learning, kid-friendly theme this year called “Lets Learn!”
4-H Leader Amy Dowell explained the theme permits youth to learn from each other rather than just adults. Amy state, “This method allows the members to show independence as they research a topic, and then develop a program including trivia questions to present to the club.”
The Strong Couples Project – led by researchers and educators with U of I at Urbana-Champaign and Extension – is designed to provide couples with free, proven online help for their relationships. Judy Schmidt, metro 4-H youth development educator, is on a team of eleven coaches who worked with 170 couples since the program launched October 2021. Allen Barton, assistant professor and Extension specialist in Human Development and Family Studies, is project lead.
The couples watch six online sessions together in combination with five virtual calls with their coach. The program covers a variety of fundamental principles
She feels the approach allows the youth to develop confidence in speaking in front of their peers, as well as filling the role of the educator, by sharing what they learned.
“Kids like to be the teacher and not always the student.”
Addison Liesman, 4-H member
and skills for building – and maintaining – a safe, healthy, and stable relationship. Couples of all types (and argument styles) have been found to benefit from going through this program.
A formal impact report is scheduled for release Summer 2023. Data analysis to date indicates significant increases in:
• relationship satisfaction
• partner support
• relationship confidence
Similarly, data analysis found decreases in:
• relationship instability
• negative communication
• individual psychological distress
• individual perceived stress Learn more or enroll at publish. illinois.edu/strongcouples.
Veteran 4-H volunteers will tell you the best way to engage youth in learning is to create experiential learning opportunities that allow youth to explore and discover, rather than listen to lectures or read information. Amy shared how this process has become something her members look forward to. “Prior to these educational sessions, youth would barely interact/answer questions. Now they are less intimidated to interact with their peers. The trivia provides a fun facet and game-like atmosphere.” Evidence supports that youth learn by teaching. Eleven year old Addison Liesman took her turn teaching the club about types of evergreen trees. She taught facts on the topic and said she learned new things. The science behind how we learn supports this theory. We are more likely to remember things we do or teach, rather than what we just read or hear.
The 4-H program encourages youth to use and practice lifeskills in all parts of the learning process. This format encourages teamwork, especially as they share information with each other and evaluate the activity. Addison shared, “I think everyone in our 4-H club likes this because we are learning something from someone our age and not from an adult. So far, all of the ‘Let’s Learn!’ lessons have had fun fact questions, so that keeps our attention.”
4G STEM Camp participants toured the historical Madison Theatre in downtown Peoria with some of the architects working on the renovation project from Farnsworth Group.
4G STEM Camp provides opportunities for youth to see STEM careers in action
Career exploration is a big part of the 4-H world. Sometimes members are exposed to careers subtly and other times they are the main focus. For the past nine years, Extension staff have focused on careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at 4G STEM Camp (Girls + Games + Gadgets = Genius), held in Central Illinois.
This past June, twenty-seven middle school girls and four teachers participated in the week-long camp designed to provide meaningful exposure to STEM careers in authentic workplace settings. Through site visits to Bradley University biology labs, Jump Simulation, Caterpillar Innovation Center, and Farnsworth Group the young ladies learned from a paramedic, an anatomy lab scientist, interior designers, landscape architects, structural architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, and a college science professor, to name just a few.
These visits included hands-on activities, facility tours, and interactions with on-site professionals working in STEM careers. This site visit format is one of the unique aspects of 4G STEM Camp, as youth are not only developing vital STEM skills but are also interacting with workers in the STEM fields and experiencing authentic job sites. When parents were asked about their children’s experiences, one stated that the greatest benefit of 4G STEM Camp was that the girls were able to go to real companies to learn from experts and engineers about real jobs. Additionally, 90% of the parents surveyed stated that 4G STEM Camp allowed their daughters to get to know professionals who can answer questions about STEM careers.
4G STEM Camp is a partnership with Bradley University. Each year a new set of local partners join the team to host the site visits.
OrganWise Guys make a lasting impression
OrganWise Guys is a popular SNAP-Education curriculum taught to kindergarten, first, and second graders. Characters with organ-inspired names “teach” the children about being healthy. The SNAP-Ed staff have many stories that show what an impact the lessons make in the lives of youth.
Kathy Ellis’ daughter goes to nursing school and one of her classmates recognized “Miss Kathy.” She remembered when she came to her classroom years ago and taught OrganWise Guys. She shared that it made her interested in learning more and it played a part in her decision to study nursing with a goal of helping people stay healthy.
Elexus Hampton lives in the community where she teaches and often runs into parents of her students. Following an OrganWise Guys lesson about bone health, she had an encouraging interaction in which a parent said, “Oh, I know all about it. My child only wants to eat cheese for breakfast because cheese has calcium and calcium is good for your bones.”
Nate Anton was out to eat with his family when a former student recognized him. The child had been in Nate’s OrganWise Guys class two years prior. During the introductions to the parents the mother laughed and said “Oh, you mean Hardy Heart and Kidney Brothers.” The child had talked about the OrganWise Guys lessons so much that even the parents knew the characters’ names.
Illinois Junior Chef is a popular program for both the participants and U of I Extension SNAPEducation staff. This summer’s 13 programs reached 238 youth throughout the four counties.
“We are not sure who has more fun at Illinois Junior Chef (IJC)…the youth or the staff,” Kaytlin Beekman, Extension SNAP-Education community worker mentioned. Kaytlin and the entire SNAP-Education team spent a good portion of their summer teaching IJC programs throughout the four counties.
Illinois Junior Chef is a very popular program offered each summer through Extension’s SNAP-Education program. This year all 13 of our week-long programs were either close to or at capacity. Two hundred youth enjoyed the cooking, nutrition, and team building lessons.
IJC gives children ages eight to thirteen a chance to learn hands-on cooking skills that they will use throughout their entire life. “They learn so many important life skills,” Kaytlin mentioned. “I wish every kid had the chance to learn these types of skills at a young age.”
Each day of the five-day program a new cooking skill is featured, along with a MyPlate food group and two delicious recipes. The recipes focus on healthy, easy-to-make foods that participants can make on their own at home. “Many times, kids experience ‘new-to-them’ foods. Sometimes they like them and sometimes they don’t,” Kaytlin continued.
Participants learned how to:
• correctly measure liquid and dry ingredients
• mixing techniques
• knife safety
• how to read a recipe 4-H Teen Teachers were also a big part of making the programs a success. They were able to lead the participants in icebreakers and team-building activities each day. On the last day of the program, the participants were awarded a certificate, the Illinois Junior Chef cookbook, and an incentive bag full of helpful cooking utensils.
“We enjoyed watching the children grow a love for cooking and trying new things,” Kaytlin shared. “One boy made his disgust of anything pumpkin known on the first day. By the end of the week, he had tried pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin pudding. He loved both and left saying that he could not wait to make the recipes with his family.”
The Big Table Greater Peoria is an annual regional event hosted by the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC) designed to strengthen and connect communities through a combination of panel discussions and open facilitated conversations. Goals are to gather community input, identify priorities and needs of the region, deepen relationships among community members, and improve understanding across communities. This year’s conversation sessions focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship, diversity, and quality of life. Extension Community and Economic Development (CED) Educator Richard Proffer participated as a small group facilitator for two of the four sessions (entrepreneurship and workforce development) and participated as a table group member in the others. Following the small group conversations, facilitators reported their table’s findings to the larger group of all attendees. A report from the October 2022 event is forthcoming from the GPEDC. The event also served as a valuable networking opportunity as new Extension staff member Proffer launches his CED programmatic efforts.
The Midwest Community Development Institute (CDI) is one of a few training institutes coordinated by the Community Development Council (CDC) across the nation. The Midwest CDI is sponsored locally by Western Illinois University’s Institute for Rural Affairs and serves mostly participants from Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. The program consists of three 4-day training sessions. CED Educator Richard Proffer served on Midwest CDI’s faculty this year, and taught four classes for Year One and Year Three participants. Year One training focuses on foundational principles and practices of community development and community assessment. Year Two training focuses on economic development basics and implementing economic development efforts. Year Three training reviews the previous two years of training and walks through case studies designed to challenge participants in both their knowledge and application of CED practices.
In a nutshell, entrepreneurial communities are those that are working to develop an environment that promotes economic development. Communities with this type of environment nurture networks, cultures, resources, and policies that are friendly to invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Extension CED Educator Richard Proffer was invited to share his expertise in this area at University of Missouri’s Annual Creating Entrepreneurial Communities Conference in September. Proffer, along with former Missouri CED teammate Amy Patillo, presented on Strategic Planning and Workforce Development Applications including a case study of the rural community of Caruthersville, MO. They helped the community address workforce development issues using a focused strategic planning approach. The work resulted in Pemiscot County becoming workforce certified. Soon after, the town was selected to become the site of the largest soybean processing plant in North America. The site selector specifically mentioned the quality of the certified workforce as a big reason for the plant coming to the city.
Farm women are generating a cultural tide in American agriculture that is moving management, assets, and opportunities to a new wave of farmers across the country. In June 2022, sixteen women completed the Annie’s Project course. They were empowered to be better business partners or sole operators through networks and by managing and organizing critical information.
Annie’s Project is a discussion-based workshop that brings women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field in six sessions over three weeks. Additionally, participants gain even more from questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with presenters and class members in a safe environment. “It is a fun and relaxed way to learn, and meet other farming women,” stated Tara Heath, Extension program coordinator, Annie’s Project facilitator, and a fellow woman in agriculture. Emily Schoenfelder, from the class of 2018 shared, ”I am a generation removed from the owners of our family farm. Though I am not active in the daily workings of the business, Annie’s Project gave me a basis for understanding the goings-on and decisions being made there. I am more able to thoughtfully engage in farm discussions, and I found the sessions
on Commodity Marketing, Legacy Planning, and Leasing especially helpful as our family has navigated new ownership.”
This year’s class was a collaboration with Fulton County Farm Bureau and Dunteman & Company Accounting. The program has been offered in Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties, in partnership with our local Farm Bureaus, since 2016. Locally, more than 80 women have completed the course in this time. Nation-wide, Annie’s Project courses have successfully reached more than 9,000 farm and ranch women in 33 states.
Deon Maas, Annie’s alumna
Extension Program Coordinator and Annie’s Project Facilitator Christine Belless reports, “We have received great feedback throughout the years and we continue to expand the program to reach more and dive deeper into topics. Our next ‘Inspired by Annie’s’ workshop is about commodity marketing. We are also looking to host an Annie’s Project Level 2.”
“Attorney Nancy Schell’s talk on wills, trusts, and power of attorney is very important for everyone to know. I have shared the handouts from Nancy’s presentation with all my friends and family members.”Photo by Anita Wilkinson
We can only imagine the number of programs in which Extension and Havana Public Library have partnered during the 124 years of its existence. Currently, the SNAP-Education program is a huge benefactor of the library’s partnership.
It may seem like an unlikely pair, but Skye Mibbs, SNAP-Education instructor has leveraged her community connections and creativity to create a win-win partnership. The library is a host site for SNAP-Ed programs which allows the two to work together in a variety of ways.
“We worked with the library to pair our Eat.Play. Grow. program with their popular Little Sprouts program,” Skye explained. “The library staff pick a book that goes along with my lesson and I provide the education and activity. The families are already comfortable coming to the library and seem to enjoy the added hands-on activities I provide.” The library hosts the SNAP-Ed CATCH program by providing the location and snacks. They also invite us to set up an Eat.Move.Save. booth during their Comic Club and Birth-to-Three program.
The library distributes monthly giveaway bags which include SNAP-Ed program announcements and educational sheets. The duo also trade off on supporting each others programs by having booths at larger community events like Health Hero Day. The past two summers, Skye has coordinated guest speakers to join her CATCH Camp program. The library has been a guest speaker and a resource to help recruit additional speakers.
City Kids Camp is located just outside of Lewistown on 167 acres where campers can explore and relax in nature. The camp relies heavily on volunteers to fulfill its mission to provide adventure, fun, hope, and lifechanging experiences for at-risk kids.
“Our experience with our prior campers has shown that having kids in nature helps them calm down and minimize their natural defenses, which makes them more receptive to new experiences and dialogues,” explains the City Kids Camp website.
Extension Master Naturalists and 4-H partner with the camp in several different ways. This past year Fulton 4-H Federation held a meeting at the camp that included a service project of painting benches and picnic tables. The Federation members also got to enjoy the camp’s pool, air hockey, and Foosball tables. The 2022 Fall Celebration was also hosted at the camp. 4-H members and their families, along with Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists enjoyed an awards ceremony and cookout.
City Kids Camp also hosted a session during the Master Naturalist training this summer. Hector Corona, camp founder, gave the group a tour of the grounds and shared about the history and ongoing projects of the camp. Master Naturalists also have the opportunity to volunteer at the camp.
Hector recently became a member of the 2022-2023 Extension Council.
Luthy Botanical Garden is part of the Peoria Park District and is spread across five acres in Glen Oak Park. It is home to a tropical conservatory, a theme garden, and seasonal shows, including the Poinsettia Show. Luthy Manager Bob Streitmatter is a major reason the partnership with the garden and Extension is so successful.
“Just recently, Bob was a speaker at this year’s Gardeners’ BIG Day and he is already scheduled to speak at next year’s event too,” explained Tara Heath, horticulture program coordinator. “I am sure prior to my time in Extension (2021) Bob presented at a variety of Extension horticulture programs.”
The garden has been host site for Extension Master Gardener (EMG) training sessions and Master Gardener meetings. There are many EMGs who volunteer at the garden, which has recently expanded to a new EMG garden at the zoo located next door.
The most recent project that is growing from this partnership is a new children’s garden. Master Gardeners are enjoying working with Bob on the planning and construction of this new feature at Luthy, that will be enjoyed by kids of all ages.
Luthy Botanical Garden will be one of the tour options for the Illinois Master Gardener state conference in September of 2023. EMGs from throughout the state will get to enjoy the garden.
A lot of people immediately connect Pekin Park District with the Tazewell 4-H Show, but they are also program partners in the SNAP-Education, Master Gardener, and Master Naturalist programs.
Tazewell 4-H Show is held at Mineral Springs Park. Our 4-H staff work closely with the park staff and Jr. Fair Board to maintain the buildings and logistics of set-up for the Show. “The park staff are fantastic to work with,” Katharine Girone, Tazewell 4-H program coordinator explained. “Even when out-of-theordinary problems come up, they jump in to help.”
The park district worked with our SNAP-Education staff, along with Tazewell County Health Department and Illinois Public Health Institute, to get technical assistance to write and implement a district-wide wellness policy that includes department specific polices. Over the years, SNAP-Ed instructors also provided direct education during the park’s summer camp programs and at Miller Center.
Master Naturalists worked with the park to design and install a native prairie plot at Mineral Springs Park, located outside the main doors of Veterans’ Memorial Ice Arena.
Master Gardeners are involved with the Parkside Learning Garden that is led by park staff. This year the garden grew and donated over 150 pounds of produce through the Miller Center Farmers’ Market. Master Gardeners will take the lead on developing a pollinator garden to help increase nearby vegetable production and be a safe habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the event coordinator. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.
The Illinois Nutrition Education Programs are funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
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in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture by the Director, Cooperative Extension Service, and University of Illinois.
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Front cover photo: Fulton 4-H member Emma Gorsuch excelled in the flag race during the 4-H Fun Horse Show.
Back cover photo: Jo Elyn Smith serves ladies at the South Side Community Center during a Healthy Cents program. Photos by Anita Wilkinson, Extension communications program coordinator