Two Tazewell County 4-H clubs recently participated in piloting lessons for an agricultural commodity curriculum, Focus on Commodities, developed by University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences students Hannah Spangler, Fulton 4-H alumna, and Emma Robbins. By having 4-H members in the Mackinaw Ridge Runners and Tazewell Country Club pilot some of the lessons, the College of ACES students were able to see if the curriculum content, learning objectives, and resources worked in a 4-H club setting. Using feedback from 4-H members, the curriculum was revised with 4-H clubs in mind allowing for more group work and interactive activities.
Through discussion and hands-on activities, participating 4-H members learned about two prevalent Tazewell County agricultural commodities, corn and pumpkins.
“You don’t have to go very far in Tazewell County to find a field of corn or a field of pumpkins. However, how often do we stop and think about them? The 4-H members piloting these lessons were given a firsthand look at these products beyond what they see daily,” Katharine Girone, Tazewell County 4-H program coordinator, stated.
According to a 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, Tazewell County’s top produced crop (in acres) is corn for grain. Pumpkin comes in fourth . The pumpkin lesson used data and information collected from Tazewell County pumpkin growers, which created a full-circle experience.
“As a club, we did a great job brainstorming products made from corn and what inputs are needed,” Joy Schwarting, Mackinaw Ridge Runners 4-H club leader shared about her club’s experience. “In the future, our club would be interested in taking part in lessons like this again!”
Interactive learning activities allow young people to construct new knowledge from real-world activities and are the basis of 4-H’s educational philosophy. In fact, the 4-H slogan is, “Learn by doing.” Ben Franklin is credited with saying, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” More recently, a study from Carnegie Mellon University showed that, even in virtual platforms, interactive lessons are up to six times more effective than lecture-based learning. It’s vital for all educational efforts to continue finding new and relevant ways to engage young people in their learning.
The students’ project is overseen by Dr. Amy Leman, assistant professor in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications. Dr. Leman is a former State 4-H Youth Development Specialist. “Since 4-H is part of University of Illinois, it makes sense that research projects include 4-H in the design. I am happy to connect anyone who contacts me with more information about attending the university or joining some of our experiences designed for high school students.”
When the Focus on Commodities curriculum is finalized it will be available through Illinois Ag in the Classroom.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Katharine Girone collaborates with a group of dedicated 4-H volunteers and partners to inspire youth to develop their fullest potential through positive youth development opportunities in Tazewell County. This role gives her the chance to give back to the organization that shaped her into the individual she is today.
Katharine earned her B.S. in Food Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is working on her M.S. in Agricultural Education (in progress) through University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
ABOUT EXTENSION SNAPSHOTS
Extension Snapshots are monthly impact reports that share the stories of our programs in Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. To have them delivered to you directly sign up using our E-blast registration.