The Peoria County 4-H Fair is always one of the biggest highlights of the year for local 4-H members. This past year, the fair looked a little different. But if there is one thing 4-H youth are known for, it is their ability to adapt and rise to the occasion. Peoria County 4-H members showed up in...
In 2025, a new herb garden, planted through a partnership between University of Illinois Extension and the Fulton County Farm Bureau, became the foundation for interactive learning experiences. More than 95 participants explored how herbs can enhance everyday life, from cooking to creative...
Earlier this year, the HEAL-Food System Partner’s Central Illinois Children’s Health Initiative (CICHI) introduced CJ’s Harvest On-the-Go, a mobile market funded by OSF and University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria that is designed to make healthy foods more accessible for families at...
What began as a simple phone call from Jerald Schier, Manito village trustee, in Spring 2024 grew into a community effort to revitalize the town. Manito Revive and Thrive community meetings were a catalyst for the village’s new strategic plan. Local...
This winter, Fulton County 4-H offered an appetizing adventure for young creators—a food decorating workshop designed to help youth express their artistic flair through frosting and fun. Part of the 4-H Visual Arts project...
For the past decade, farm profits have been highly volatile making farm business planning difficult. Grain prices have been all over the board — down, up, and back down. Input costs have also been unstable. These and many other factors can create a lot of stress for producers. University of...
Positive youth development starts with providing a safe, welcoming environment. 4-H clubs led by caring volunteers are a key component of a successful 4-H program. The 4-H staff serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell...
Joli Pierson, Mason 4-H coordinator, retires from Extension In preparing for retirement from Illinois Extension after nearly 26 years at the Mason County branch office, Joli Pierson finds herself filled with gratitude and reflection. “What began as a job became a calling, and over the...
Healthy soils, cleaner water, and stronger farms, one field at a time —University of Illinois Extension and STAR (Saving Tomorrow’s Agriculture Resources) are working together to make it happen.STAR was born out of a grassroots, farmer-driven...
An outreach initiative helped children across the Tri-County area better understand hunger and how they can contribute during Hunger Action Month. Through the Lulu & the Hunger Monster reading program, University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed staff trained community readers to...
