colorful sweaters where hands are coming together

Help us grow in our communities.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Advisory Council consists of four subcommittees: 4-H and Youth, Community and Economic Development, Health and Local Foods, and Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy. Each subcommittee supports Illinois Extension's services as the County Cooperative Law requires. The council works cooperatively with Illinois Extension staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing, and evaluating Extension programs, which are designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local communities being served.

To learn more or explore volunteer opportunities, call 815‑732‑2191.

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)
Kathy Dombek (DeKalb)
Luis Gonzalez (Boone) Secretary
Terry Schuster (Ogle)

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
Tracy Drobick (Ogle)
Megan Poole (Ogle)
Barb Thrun (Boone)
Jeff Woodyatt (Ogle)
Barb Wych (Boone) Chairperson

4-H & Youth Subcommittee
Carley Ackland (Ogle)
Immanuel Arellano (Ogle)
Natalie Coy (Ogle) Vice Chairperson
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 (County Board)
Barb Wych

DeKalb County
Patrick Deutsch (County Board)

Ogle County
Stan Asp (County Board)
Rick Fritz (County Board)
Lyle Hopkins (County Board)
Melissa Rojas

2026

Meeting Dates

4-H and Youth Subcommittee
Feb. 25- Zoom
May 19- Zoom
Sept. 28- In-Person- El Jimador Mexican Grill, 260 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115
Nov. 11- Zoom

Community and Economic Development Subcommittee
July 23- Zoom
Sept. 28- In-Person- El Jimador Mexican Grill, 260 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115

Health and Local Foods Subcommittee
Feb. 24- Cancelled
May 26- Cancelled
Sept. 28- In-Person- El Jimador Mexican Grill, 260 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115
Dec. 4- Zoom

Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Subcommittee
Jan. 14- Postponed
Feb. 11- Cancelled
Sept. 28- In-Person- El Jimador Mexican Grill, 260 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115

Board Meeting Funding Request
July 9- 9-11 am- DeKalb County 4-H General Projects Show, 1350 W Sycamore Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
July 11- 10 am-12 pm- Boone County 4-H General Projects Show, 111 W 1st St, Belvidere, IL 61008
July 24- 1-3 pm- Ogle County 4-H General Projects Show, 1440 N Limekiln Rd, Oregon, IL 61061
August 3- 12 pm- Virtual meeting (if quorum not met previously) (postponed)

Annual Advisory Council Meeting
Sept. 28- In-Person
El Jimador Mexican Grill, 260 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL 60115