Annual Report 2012 - University of Illinois Extension

Unit 11 Strategy Statement
MISSION
To transfer research-based information, technology and best
practices from the university arena into public and private arenas
in order to strengthen local communities and improve peoples
lives.
VISION
To adapt research-based knowledge into accessible forms so that
every person we serve will experience & recognize a positive impact
from our work.
PROCESS
Education, facilitation and collaboration
SCOPE
Subject Matter Area Primary Audience
Agriculture Rural
Natural Resources Rural & Urban
Horticulture Rural & Urban
Nutrition Rural & Urban
Community Development Rural
4-H Youth Development Rural & Urban
University of Illinois Extension
Fulton/Mason/Peoria/Tazewell Unit
Main Office
1505 Valle Vista
Pekin, IL 61554
Phone: 309-347-6614
FAX: 309-347-5472
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(Closed 12—1 pm)
Branch Office
127 S High St, Ste 1
Havana, IL 62644
Phone: 309-543-3308
FAX: 309-543-6239
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(Closed 12—1 pm)
Branch Office
15411 N IL 100 Hwy
Lewistown, IL 61542
Phone: 309-547-3711
FAX: 309-547-3713
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(Closed 12—1 pm)
Branch Office
4810 North Sheridan
Peoria, IL 61614
Phone: 309-685-3140
FAX: 309-685-3397
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am-4:30 pm
(Closed 12—1 pm)
Academic Staff
Earl Allen-County Director
Kathleen Brown-Educator, Community & Economic Development
Margaret Cover-Educator, Expanded Food and Nutrition
Education Program
Rhonda Ferree-Educator, Horticulture
Mekenzie Lewis-Educator, Nutrition and Wellness
Judy Schmidt-Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Support Staff
Program Coordinators: Cathy Ludolph-4-H; Julia Pryor-
Horticulture; Christine Belless-Master Naturalist; Janis
Blout-4-H; Joli Pierson-4-H; Anita Wilkinson-4-H
Community Workers: SNAP-Ed—Jan Hackman, Kathy Meier,
Heather Reynolds, Patty Wiegers
Work Program Participants: SNAP-Ed and EFNEP—Tara
Agama, Nathan Anton, LaNeena Close, Gerise Coleman,
Debra Donaldson, Petra Eberle, Irene Edwards, Katherine
Ellis, Lisa Stephens, Ronda Mitchell, Dee Nighsonger,
Cheryl Russell
Office Support Staff: Sheila Bolliger, Rebecca Campbell, Paula
Lane, Debbie Shelby, Julann Schierer
Annual Report
2012
University of Illinois Extension
Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit
A
Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit

County Director—Earl Allen
The 2012 program year for University of Illinois Extension in Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell Counties was highly successful as our outstanding
staff worked both independently and in collaboration with other partnering groups and organizations to extend knowledge to our
local area in ways that strengthened our communities and improved the quality of life of our citizens.
Reviewing this report will give you a taste of how our staff accomplished our mission in each of our program areas. For more specific information, visit
our unit website and peruse our Extension Snapshots and subject matter web pages which contain descriptions of our activities in greater detail. You can
also use the website to find out about upcoming events and learn about opportunities to get involved in our work as a volunteer.
Near the end of the year, we said goodbye to our Agriculture Educator Matt Montgomery. After 18 years serving U of I Extension, he accepted an opportunity
to work as an agronomist in the private sector. We are in the process of filling that position, and wish Matt the best. I will also be stepping
down near the end of this month to accept a research position that unexpectedly knocked on my door. I am grateful for your past and future support of
U of I Extension. Great work will continue to be delivered in this unit by our highly qualified staff. I wish you all the best. — Earl
Nutrition
by Educator Margaret Cover
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
(EFNEP) in Unit #11 works within communities to provide
low-income families with research-based information
regarding good nutrition and physical activity. Unit #11 has eight staff
members who serve low-income clients mainly comprised of adults
with children under age 18. They also teach groups of school-aged
children. EFNEP adult sessions are delivered in a series of 6-8
lessons taught by EFNEP paraprofessionals in the client’s home or in
group settings such as agencies. Program delivery to school-aged
youth is done on a weekly basis and includes a nutrition lesson, 30minutes
of physical activity, and a once a month food preparation
activity.
In 2012 the Expanded Food and Nutrition programs in Peoria
County served 74 youth groups totaling 1,873 youth in schools and
agencies. The total number of adult program families served was
1,579. Of these 1,579 families, 741 completed the program and 545
are continuing in the program. These families had a total of
3,256 children under age 18.
Nutrition and Wellness
by Educator Mekenzie Lewis
Unit 11 has recently acquired programming in the
Nutrition and Wellness area. This has increased the value
of Extension’s offering in the unit, and has formed a more
complete team of education experts to serve the community. As a
whole, the efforts of nutrition and wellness programming are focused
to address the areas of chronic disease, food safety, local food
support, and general wellness practices. Programming has focused on
increasing community awareness of Extension’s presence as a
supporter and potential partner to local health related efforts.
Community involvement, media releases, and social media
connections have been main channels of connection to the public.
New programming and collaborative efforts will increase the
reach of Extension’s nutrition and wellness works.
Horticulture
by Educator Rhonda Ferree
The 2012 horticulture program inspired citizens in
local communities to grow their own food and improve
their home landscapes. Using new approaches and tech-
nology, current information on emerging issues such as Japanese
beetle and drought issues was delivered quickly and conveniently
through the internet, media, traditional programs, and more. Examples
include Ferree’s presentations to over 3,500 citizens, her 202 media
releases, and over 550 blogs that reached 124,752 social media
viewers. Additionally, 171 Master Gardener volunteers reached
over 10,000 local residents during the 7,439 hours they spent “Helping
Others Learn to Grow” (worth $155,103). Volunteers and staff solved
over 800 yard and garden questions in the offices using their new Plant
Detective skills. Exciting new programs broadened the educational
reach with 20 new Master Composters and 20 new Master
Naturalists.
Community & Economic Development
by Educator Kathie Brown
During the past year, Community and
Economic Development programming has
focused on building local capacity to secure
funding, developing community planning
documents, best practices in small town development, small business
development, and energy conservation investments. Increasing the
capacity of local decision-makers through a variety of programming
approaches enhances community vitality and improves the quality of
life in rural and urban areas. Each of these programs begin with local
leadership. Extension provides valuable connections to UIUC campus
resources and various agencies.
In 2012, additional participatory planning programming occurred in
the City of Elmwood, Farmington, Fulton County and as part of the
Central Illinois Forward regional planning initiative engaging leaders
from Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell Counties in planning for
future development. Each planning activity provides an ex-
cellent platform for learning and discovery of new practices.
4-H Youth Development
by Educator Judy Schmidt
4-H Youth Development programming in the Fulton Mason
Peoria Tazewell unit has had several successes in the past year.
Each 4-H community club was challenged to increase their net
membership by one member. Twenty seven clubs throughout the
unit increased their membership for a total of 136 new members. Unit wide,
1208 youth were involved in sustained learning experiences. Additionally,
3028 youth were engaged in short-term programs including day camps,
workshops and after school programs.
Additionally, Special Interest (SPIN) clubs have been gaining popularity
and have increased membership in 4-H with audiences not typically exposed
to 4-H. Tazewell has a growing Shooting Sports program, with certified
volunteers in all three disciplines-archery, shotgun and rifle. Peoria County
was successful with several SPIN clubs: dairy, crochet, gardening, video and
photography. The Dairy club was extremely successful at engaging youth
who were not familiar with dairy cattle in learning about livestock, caring for
animals, and preparing them for showing.
Metro programming in Peoria County is also expanding. Two grant
supported programs conducted last year were targeted at teaching youth
about healthy eating, physical fitness and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
4-H Health Jam was conducted with 66 students at Trewyn School in
partnership with Methodist Hospital, American Red Cross, and U of I
Extension EFNEP program staff. “Commit to be Fit” was a nine week summer
program conducted with 627 youth who engaged in hands on activities
about healthy eating and the importance of daily physical exercise.
Wal-Mart supported both programs with over $19,000 in funds.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
by Educator Matt Montgomery
Unit 11 has shown leadership in food security, pest
management, pesticide/trait stewardship, and irrigated agriculture
via providing research-based information, developing
networks, and providing in-service opportunities.
A local beef seminar, a four-session local foods course, local vegetable
production tours, community gardening, farmer’s market development,
and agro-terrorism work (with a state taskforce) provide examples
of local unit efforts to improve food security. Extension used
local media and a newly developed website to help growers and
homeowners combat Japanese beetles. The local unit also worked
with the Crop Science Department to establish trials evaluating possible
“replacement nematicides,” and conducted a statewide survey to
determine how IPM programming/IPM adoption might be improved.
Staff at the local Extension office cooperated with campus-based
specialists to author a series of color-coded publications. Unit 11 addresses
the needs of those involved in area production agriculture by
training their advisors, conducting research, and providing unbiased
third party production information. Extension has sponsored local
Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) sessions and has even developed online
modules for CCAs. Irrigated growers work has consisted of projects
examining the impact of irrigation upon silk development, exploration
of biological weed control alternatives, sulfur research, and
bio-car research.