Raising and showing livestock may seem like a niche skill set, but in reality it offers a long list of life skills, character development, and networking opportunities for local 4-H youth. This past March, University of Illinois Extension staff worked with local partners, 4-H alumni, and area ag...
Every tree has a story to tell, you just need the right tools to read it. Those stories are written in tree rings, hidden in their height, and tucked away in details most of us walk right past.During Forestry Skills 101: Using Forestry Tools, 13 participants plus four Extension staff got to step...
A Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension continues to produce results months after participants left Christ Orchard in Elmwood. Twenty-one people attended the February 2026 program to learn how proper pruning can improve tree health, structure, and fruit production....
Richard Proffer, Community & Economic Development educator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties, has recently received a new nationally recognized certification, Rural Grocery Transition Specialist, to add to his list of professional accomplishments and has been recertified as a...
The greatest gifts we can give youth in 4-H go beyond a champion banner, plaque, or even letterman jacket. Confidence in their own abilities is the real reward!As mentors, it's natural to want to step in and help. For project helpers, the desire is there for animals to look their best, projects to...
University of Illinois Extension’s new Health and Community Wellness team is continuing efforts to improve health and quality of life across Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. Building on the strong foundation established through SNAP-Education, the team focuses on helping communities...
4-H meetings are more than just a regular monthly meeting. Just ask the members of the Tazewell Country 4-H club. Located primarily in Hopedale, members of this club are engaged with their local community and build unique connections each year. The club continues a long-standing tradition of...
When Hallmark House physical therapist and University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Vic Harting looked at the outdoor spaces surrounding the nursing home, she saw more than landscaping. She saw an opportunity to create meaningful moments of connection for individuals who often have limited...
A strong network of youth-serving organizations can make a lasting difference for young people and families. In Peoria, the collaborative Peoria Afterschool Networking Group is doing just that by bringing together out-of-school-time agencies to connect, share ideas, and strengthen programming...
Just as 4-H has many project areas and ways for members to flourish, the new Mason County 4-H coordinator has had unique experiences that will bring a fresh perspective to Mason County 4-H. Alicia Sandidge of Chandlerville, joined the University of Illinois Extension staff in early May. ...
