Help us grow in our communities.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties advisory council is a vital advocacy group, divided into four subcommittees: Community and Economic Development (CED), 4-H and Youth, Health and Local Foods (HLF), and Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy (NREE). Each subcommittee supports University of Illinois Extension's services as required by the County Cooperative Extension law. The council helps meet the challenges of maintaining close relationships and community awareness in each county by working cooperatively with Illinois Extension staff to plan, promote, develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programs. These programs are designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local communities being served. Call 815-732-2191 for more information or to join our team of volunteers!

2025

Meeting Dates

Health and Local Foods Extension Council Subcommittee
2025
Feb. 25 - Zoom
May 27 - Hybrid & Zoom
Sept. 29 - In-Person
Nov. 25 - Zoom

Community and Economic Development Subcommittee
2025
May 5- Zoom
Aug. 18- Zoom
Sept. 29- In-Person

Natural Resources, Enviroment, and Energy Subcommittee
2025
March 26 - Zoom
July - canceled
Sept. 29 - In-Person
Dec. 3 - Zoom

4-H and Youth Subcommittee
2025
April 9- Zoom
Sept. 29- In-Person
Oct. 22- Zoom

Board Meeting - Funding Request
2025 In-Person
July 7- Start in Belvidere; end in Genoa (Boone & DeKalb counties)
July 31- Meet at the Ogle County Fairgrounds (Ogle County)

Annual Advisory Council Meeting
Sept. 29, 2025 In-Person
Uptown Lanes/Back Alley Bar & Grill
106 W 2nd St
Byron, IL 61010

Extension Advisory Council Agendas & Minutes

October 22:
4-H and Youth Subcommittee Agenda

September 29:
Annual Advisory Council Meeting Agenda

August 18:
Community and Economic Development Subcommittee Agenda

July 31:
Ogle County Funding Request Minutes
Ogle County Funding Request Agenda

July 7:
Boone and DeKalb Counties Funding Request Minutes
Boone and DeKalb Counties Funding Request Agenda

May 27:
Health and Local Foods Subcommittee Minutes
Health and Local Foods Subcommittee Agenda

May 5:
Community and Economic Development Subcommittee Minutes
Community and Economic Development Subcommittee Agenda

April 9:
4-H and Youth Subcommittee Minutes
4-H and Youth Subcommittee Agenda

March 26, 2025:
Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Subcommittee Minutes
Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Subcommittee Agenda

February 25, 2025:
Health and Local Foods Subcommittee Minutes
Health and Local Foods Subcommittee Agenda

Members

Terms begin on September 1 and end on August 31. Members can serve a maximum of two terms.

2025-2026

Community Economic Development & Government Subcommittee
Dan Dietrich (Ogle)
Luis Gonzalez (Boone)

Health & Local Foods Subcommittee
Abigail Hesslau (DeKalb)
Joyce Lewis (Ogle)
Stephanie Meyers (Boone)
Melissa Rojas (Ogle)
Mark Schuth (Boone)

Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Subcommittee
Barb Thrun (Boone)
Jeff Woodyatt (DeKalb)
Barb Wych (Boone)

4-H & Youth Subcommittee
Carley Ackland (Ogle)
Immanuel Arellano (Ogle)
Natalie Coy (Ogle)
Ellie Davis (DeKalb)
Chelsea Eden (Ogle)
Noe Escamilla (DeKalb)
Brooke Heinsohn (DeKalb)
Lillian Hetland (DeKalb)
Tina Holtz (DeKalb)
Abigail Kolthoff (Boone)
Araceli Lopez King (DeKalb)
Allissa Martin (Ogle)
Jennifer Mora (Boone)
Jozlyn Mundy (Boone)
Jane Zeien (Boone)

Extension Board Appointment
Boone County
Tom Walberg

DeKalb County
Patrick Deutsch

Ogle County
Stan Asp
Rick Fritz
Lyle Hopkins