Please join us in the commitment to our mission of. Extending knowledge and changing lives! Many thanks for your continued support!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Please join us in the commitment to our mission of. Extending knowledge and changing lives! Many thanks for your continued support!"

Owen Briggs
5 years ago
Views:

1 2016 Impact Report

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any of these programs, contact University of Illinois Extension.

Our work is not done in a silo or without the hundreds of volunteers that assist with the many programs offered throughout our counties from Stewardship Week (page 4), Preparing for the Garden (page

We appreciate your support of extension as we work together to develop and deliver programs that address issues that affect us and our families.

2 If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any of these programs, contact University of Illinois Extension. Food insecurity is a critical issue facing many families (page 3) so 4-H hosted several food packaging events so that every county in Unit 24 took a bite out of hunger. Our work is not done in a silo or without the hundreds of volunteers that assist with the many programs offered throughout our counties from Stewardship Week (page 4), Preparing for the Garden (page 4), State Representatives (page 6), and families in White County (page 6), Leadership Conference (page 7) and many more. We appreciate your support of extension as we work together to develop and deliver programs that address issues that affect us and our families. County Director Message Illini Fighting Hunger Local Food Systems / Small Farms Community & Economic Development 4-H SNAP-ED Scenes from Unit 24 Unit 24 Staff The accomplishments provided in the following report were possible because of the contributions of our local county boards, local businesses, private organizations, personal donations and generous volunteers. We invite you to share your thoughts and ideas as we work to serve the educational needs of our counties in the coming year. Please join us in the commitment to our mission of. Extending knowledge and changing lives! Many thanks for your continued support! Council Members / Community Partners Office Locations Connie Beck

3 Food insecurity is a critical issue facing local families. Unit 24 4-H has identified food access as high priority issue, and through food packaging events and establishment of thirteen community gardens 4-H members in every county are taking a bite out of hunger. On April 23rd, 73 4-H members, parents, and volunteers gathered to package 16,218 meals to fight hunger in our communities. Sixty nine cases of rice casserole mixes were donated to twenty local food pantries that collectively serve families per month. Unit 24 4-H remains committed to lending our hands to larger service. 3

Bronwyn Aly, Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educator, brought several Agriculture and Natural Resource programs to Unit 24 during 2015-2016.

Maple Syrup Production Master Gardener training was held in White County; Sustainable Living Expo, Maple Syrup production, Preparing for the Garden Season series, Stewardship Week, Log Grown Mushroom

his SARE farmer/rancher grant funded research project; Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series meetings were held at farms across the southern Illinois region; and Illinois Pumpkin Field Day was

4 Bronwyn Aly, Local Food Systems & Small Farms Educator, brought several Agriculture and Natural Resource programs to Unit 24 during Several of these programs involved partnerships with other Extension Educators, natural resource agencies, and Extension volunteers. Maple Syrup Production Master Gardener training was held in White County; Sustainable Living Expo, Maple Syrup production, Preparing for the Garden Season series, Stewardship Week, Log Grown Mushroom Production, and Blueberry Planting & Propagation programs were offered at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center; a spring cover crop field day was held in Hamilton County at Upton Farm, highlighting his SARE farmer/rancher grant funded research project; Southern Illinois Summer Twilight Series meetings were held at farms across the southern Illinois region; and Illinois Pumpkin Field Day was held at the Ewing Demonstration Center in Franklin County. Stewardship Week Agriculture & Natural Resources Program Contacts Sustainable Living Expo 475 Master Gardener Training 7 Maple Syrup Workshop 82 Preparing for the Garden Season 100 Stewardship Week 170 Log Grown Mushroom Workshop 38 Twilight Series 109 Blueberry Propagation Workshop 35 Pumpkin Field Day 98 Unit 24 Master Gardeners, George & Zada Turner and Minnie Ahrendt, and Local Foods Educator, Bronwyn Aly, put together workshop series entitled, Preparing for the Garden Season. Each of the sessions was held at the Dixon Springs Ag Center, utilizing the on-site fruit plantings and classroom. The sessions included Food Preservation, Pruning Your Way To Success, Raised Bed & Container Gardening, Straw Bale Gardening, Basic Composting, and Basic Beekeeping, with the pruning and straw bale gardening sessions drawing the largest audiences. Feedback and evaluations from the programming series showed the information was both relevant and useful. 4

During the 2015-2016 school year, Susan Odum, Extension Educator, Community & Economic Development,

students on the importance of recycling their monies in their local economies.

activity. Area high schools participating included: Ms.

Patterson s senior classes at Eldorado High School; and Ms.

In the 2015-2016 school year, Odum was invited to develop a 90-minute program including an

delivery to high school students enrolled in Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) programs

ingredients in Carbondale for our team breakfast, or Samantha fills up her gas tank where prices are

5 During the school year, Susan Odum, Extension Educator, Community & Economic Development, delivered two-day interactive buy local shopping simulation programs in area high schools to educate students on the importance of recycling their monies in their local economies. Day Two of the program reinforced the lesson from Day One and included a hands-on Buy Local poster activity. Area high schools participating included: Ms. Lane s Business Education and Marketing classes at Harrisburg High School; Ms. Boulds and Ms. Patterson s senior classes at Eldorado High School; and Ms. Cockrum s Business Education class at Hamilton County High School. In the school year, Odum was invited to develop a 90-minute program including an interactive buy local shopping simulation with a presentation on the Retail Marketplace Study for delivery to high school students enrolled in Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) programs in Saline, Union and Williamson County. The following quote from the Union County CEO newsletter demonstrates the understanding that resulted from the program: $44 million leaks out of Union County each year. Just let that sink in. We are losing money out of our community each time I go to Cape to get my nails done, Adam buys his ingredients in Carbondale for our team breakfast, or Samantha fills up her gas tank where prices are just a few cents cheaper, for example. How have we been overlooking such an incredible loss for so long? What really blew my mind when Susan Odum helped us envision the significance of Keeping it in the County was that we are constantly asking our local businesses for support, but we don t even shop there on a regular basis. I know now how important it is to spend my hard-earned money in Union County. -Kaitlin 5

The White County 4-H GIFT Garden began in 2016 with an empty lot and very rocky soil.

6 The White County 4-H GIFT Garden began in 2016 with an empty lot and very rocky soil. With a lot of hard work and dedication from 4-H members, their families, and many from the community, the GIFT Garden has become a great learning environment for many. This summer over 30 youth and 25 adults volunteered and produced 4 raised beds, 10 mounds for growing produce, a pollinator bed, and 4 blackberry bushes. Even though we started out small, almost 140 pounds of produce was donated to local food pantries, senior centers, needy families, and area businesses. Classroom curriculum to facilitate some of the classes while Bronwyn Aly with the Local Foods Small Farms program talked with the youth on other aspects of the garden life. In the short period of time the garden has been in existence, local businesses and individuals are stepping up to donate funds to help expand the project in the future. Among the vegetables harvested from the White County 4-H Gift Garden were: 121 Radishes 77 Peppers 8 Heads of Cabbage 10 Heads of Broccoli Nearly 1500 Slicing, Roma and Cherry Tomatoes On Thursdays throughout the summer, youth went to the garden and learned hands-on gardening skills and prepared produce for donation. Ryan Smith used Ag in the Ryder Flener is a 16 year old member of the Hardin County Corn Fed Clovers 4-H club. This year Ryder has shown true 4-H leadership in his community by serving on the State Speaking for Illinois 4-H team and the Illini Summer Academy planning committee. Ryder was also recently chosen to serve a two year term on the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team and serves on the Unit #24 Extension Council. Some of the 92 Cucumbers harvested from the White County 4-H Gift Garden. 6

7 4-H Citizen Scientists, the Green Stream Team from Pope/Hardin County performs water testing. Gallatin County 4-H Dog Exhibitors. Cupcake Decorating at the Home Hamilton County youth attend 4-H & Family Show in Saline County. Junior Leadership Conference. Horse & Pony Clinic in Saline County. 7

Illinois Nutrition Education Programs (INEP) provides adults and children with nutrition education and other activities.

We know that for busy adults and families, healthy choices are not always the easy choices, especially on a limited budget.

or eating. French Toast Delights are a favorite of our Illinois Junior Chef participants.

senior centers, libraries, community centers, farmers markets, and grocery stores.

Counties Audiences Served Total # of Audiences Served Total # of Sites Total# of Visits Total Direct Contacts Total Indirect

8 Illinois Nutrition Education Programs (INEP) provides adults and children with nutrition education and other activities. Our focus is to promote healthful diets and physical activity through engaging, informative, and interactive programming! We know that for busy adults and families, healthy choices are not always the easy choices, especially on a limited budget. We use the latest research to help clients make healthy choices and select food items that they may not be familiar with preparing or eating. French Toast Delights are a favorite of our Illinois Junior Chef participants. Programs can be done at qualifying schools and head starts, food pantries, soup kitchens, food stamp offices, public housing, senior centers, libraries, community centers, farmers markets, and grocery stores. Start Date End Date 9/1/2015 8/31/2016 Master Gardeners helped out Great Garden Detectives with their Spring Planting. Counties Audiences Served Total # of Audiences Served Total # of Sites Total# of Visits Total Direct Contacts Total Indirect Contacts Total Contacts All All ,215 22,903 47,118 Illinois Jr Chefs prepared Breakfast Parfaits and Tortilla Fruit Pizzas in White County. 179 kids exercised outside with hula hoops and beanbags throws at a Harrisburg Library Exercise walk-by table. 8

9 Hamilton County 4-H in the Fall Festival Parade. Our 4-H Float depicted a Food Packaging Event and we passed out postcards about the event and how to sign up. This was a great way for 4-H to be highlighted in the public sector. We were awarded Best of Show! Pope/Hardin Speaking for IL 4-H Team Illinois Jr. Chefs Measuring Lesson with help from White County 4-H Teen Teachers. 9

10 Connie Beck County Director Melissa Wilson Educator Youth Development Susan Odum Educator, Community & Economic Development Bronwyn Aly Educator, Local Foods/Small Farms Ron Duncan Visiting Educator Community & Econ. Development Sheila Stamer Office Support Associate/Fiscal Melissa Goin Office Support Asst. White County Lois Jones Office Support Asst. Saline County Katharine Oglesby Office Support Asst. Hamilton County Kim Bainbridge Extension Program Coordinator Pope/Hardin Co. 4-H Paula Hatfield Extension Program Coordinator Hamilton Co. 4-H Nancy Lambert Extension Program Coordinator Saline Co. 4-H Amy McCarty Extension Program Coordinator White Co. 4-H Kathryn Scates Extension Program Coordinator Gallatin Co. 4-H Nancy Hardy INEP Hamilton/White Pamela Haywood INEP Hamilton Robin Johnston INEP Saline/Gallatin Patsy Bishop INEP Pope/Hardin 10

Clint Ragan, Chairman Nancy Evans, Vice-Chairman Glenna Maxwell, Secretary John McKinney, Financial Rep.

Hamilton White Gallatin White Hardin Pope Hardin Hardin Gallatin White Hamilton Pope Gallatin Saline Saline McLeansboro, IL Harrisburg, IL Macedonia, IL Enfield, IL Junction, IL Carmi, IL

in Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, and White Counties City and County Commissioners, Mayors, and Legislators serving the Unit #24 Counties Farm Bureaus of Hamilton, Saline- Gallatin, and

11 Clint Ragan, Chairman Nancy Evans, Vice-Chairman Glenna Maxwell, Secretary John McKinney, Financial Rep. Donnie Ahrens Valarie Berekashvilli Jill Cowsert Beth Eckert Janetta Flener Ryder Flener Becky Mitchell Charles Nolen Chad Payne Melissa Presser Robin Pyle Joy Richey Linda Watkins Hamilton Saline Hamilton White Gallatin White Hardin Pope Hardin Hardin Gallatin White Hamilton Pope Gallatin Saline Saline McLeansboro, IL Harrisburg, IL Macedonia, IL Enfield, IL Junction, IL Carmi, IL Cave-In-Rock, IL Golconda, IL Elizabethtown, IL Elizabethtown, IL Ridgway, IL Crossville, IL Macedonia, IL Golconda, IL New Haven, IL Galatia, IL Harrisburg, IL Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, and White Counties City and County Commissioners, Mayors, and Legislators serving the Unit #24 Counties Farm Bureaus of Hamilton, Saline- Gallatin, and White Counties Golden Circle Centers of Eddyville, Eldorado, Elizabethtown, Golconda, Harrisburg, and Ridgway Public Libraries in Carrier Mills, Eldorado, Galatia, Golconda, Harrisburg, and Rosiclare Gallatin County Fair Board Gallatin County FFA Gallatin County Soil & Water Conservation District St. Kateri Catholic Church Wabash Valley FS 4R Equipment of Hamilton County Cargill DuPont Pioneer Hi-Bred International Farm Credit Services Hamilton Memorial Hospital Foundation Hamilton County Rotary Hamilton County Telephone Co-op/ Foundation Monsanto Wabash Valley Service Company CHESI Hardin and Pope County Medical Clinics Shawnee Development Council, Inc. Family Counseling Center Golconda Job Corp Dixon Springs Impact Incarceration Program City of Harrisburg - Harris-Pruett Building Dorrisville Baptist Church Eldorado Daily Journal/Harrisburg Daily Register Harrisburg First Church of God Saline County Fair Association Saline County Stockmen s Association S I Dollar Saver WEBQ Radio Station Brown s Feed and Chemical Carmi Kiwanis Carmi Lumber Company City of Carmi Gillards True Value Hardware Store 4C s Homeless Shelter Egyptian Health Department Galatia Food Pantry Kroger Saline County Housing Authority Southeastern Illinois College Wabash Area Development Inc. USFS-Shawnee National Forest, Shawnee R C & D Dixon Spring Agricultural Center U of I Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists Upton Farm-Springerton, Spring Valley Farm-Pulaski Southern FS Ewing Demonstration Center U of I Dept. of Natural Resources & Environ. Sciences Food Works Illinois Center Mall, ITG3D, Market Literacy Project

Gallatin County Saline County White County 216 S. Murphy Ridgway, IL 62979 912 S. Commercial St.

12 Gallatin County Saline County White County 216 S. Murphy Ridgway, IL S. Commercial St., Suite 4 Harrisburg, IL College Avenue Carmi, IL (618) (618) (618) Fax: (618) Monday Wednesday Fax: (618) Monday Friday Fax: (618) Hamilton County Pope/Hardin County 100 S. Jackson (Courthouse Basement) McLeansboro, IL Dixon Springs Agricultural Center 354 State Hwy 145 North (618) Simpson, IL Fax: (618) Monday Friday (618) Fax: (618) Monday Thursday University of Illinois ~ U.S. Department of Agriculture ~ Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any program, please contact the county Extension Office. The Illinois Nutrition Education Program is funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Copyright 2016 University of Illinois Board of Trustees 12

Increased Access to Healthy Food & Outcomes Associated with Local Food Systems

Increased Access to Healthy Food & Outcomes Associated with Local Food Systems Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside East Side Health District 650 N. 20 th Street East St. Louis, IL. 618-271-8722 By the Numbers..