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 years, it has truly been an honor to serve the people of Mason County...
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...
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...
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...
University of Illinois Extension deepened its commitment to local conservation through a year of engaging, community-rooted Conservation@Home programming across Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. The initiative...
People and nature are some of Brittany Chamber’s favorite things and now she has a job that embodies both. Brittany recently became the new University of Illinois Extension ag and natural resources program coordinator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. She will be coordinating the...
This spring, Tazewell County 4-H welcomed two new Special Interest (SPIN) Clubs. The Junior Master Gardener SPIN Club was led by Master Gardeners, Trudy Yazujian, Janine Donahue, and Ellen Denler while the Junior Master Naturalist SPIN club was led by Master Naturalist Brittany Chambers. Both clubs...
University of Illinois Extension Farm Business Management and Marketing Educator Kevin Brooks has used his years of experience in the private sector to deal with farm drainage problems. Brooks states, "Solving farm drainage issues in an environmentally friendly manner is a lot like putting together...
This summer, Peoria County 4-H, in partnership with Peoria Fashion Week, launched an exciting new adventure for young creators—the Stitch and Style Academy, a sewing and...
As the Mason County Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program went through a process to rejuvenate their required educational programs, they invited University of Illinois Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program—Education (SNAP-Education) to get involved. Thanks to the...
