DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt County Extension Council Agenda
May 27, 2026
Call to Order – Jerry Edwards, Chair
Welcome and Introductions- Tell us your name, what organization or group you represent, something you’re looking forward to this summer
Public Comments
Read and Approve March 2026 Minutes
Program Highlight- Doug Gucker, Commercial Ag Educator
Adjournment
Next Extension Council Meeting:
August 31 | 2-3:30 p.m.
DeWitt Extension Office, 1160 State Rte 54, Clinton
Future meetings:
Nov 5- Macon County Office
The Extension Council is authorized by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, in accordance with state law, to be actively involved in the operation of University of Illinois Extension. Extension Councils cooperate with Extension staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing, evaluating, and financing an Extension program designed to meet the needs, interests, and resources of the local communities served.
Some responsibilities of Council Members include:
- Assess community needs
- Serve as a communication channel between the community and the Extension offices
- Identify and utilize community leaders
- Help ensure broad-based programs are available
The Extension Council shall permit non-members to appear before and address members of the Extension Council during the designated Public Comments section, and the following rules apply:
- There shall be a total maximum of 15 minutes allotted during each Extension Council meeting for appearances by all non-members.
- All requests by non-members for appearance before the Extension Council shall be made prior to the meeting at which the non-member wishes to
appear, within the time periods set forth in. - Such requests shall be submitted to the County Director, in writing or by e-mail, identifying the subject matter to be addressed.
- Requests to appear shall be submitted prior to 4:30 p.m. on the Friday before Extension Council meetings, at which the non-member wishes to appear.
- Appearances by non-members with regard to any particular topic, including any topic on the agenda, shall be limited to a time not to exceed three minutes for each individual.
- Non-members who have properly submitted requests to appear shall appear in the order of the receipt of their requests.
- Extension Council members may not engage in discussion with, address, or ask questions of nonmembers during the time allowed for non-member appearances.
- The Chair may act to prevent repetition or digression, to maintain decorum, and to exclude discussion of matters which have had a previous public hearing conducted according to law, discussion of matters where public comment would interfere with the due process of law, or discussion of matters which would be in direct conflict with restrictions placed upon the Council by other applicable law.
May Minutes (Draft)
Members present: Todd Henricks, Jerry Edwards, Michael Schroeder, Sarah Smith, Marcie Albrecht.
Guests present: Alyssa Kosek and Liz Resar, Interns at Kirby Hospital
Staff present: Doug Gucker, Sarah Vogel, Caitlin Mellendorf, Henry Craft, Haley Jones, Jamie Boas
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM by Jerry Edwards.
Introductions: Council members introduced themselves and their institutions.
Public Comment: No public comment.
Read and Approve March 2026 Minutes: Michael Schroeder said to add an “O” to his last name. Todd moved to accept minutes with that change, Michael seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Program Highlights
Doug Gucker, Commercial Agriculture Educator, presented. He outlined programs for his area, including soil health, Annie’s Project, farming legacy, Master Naturalists, radio and tv appearances, and individual questions he answers.
Educator Updates:
4-H- Henry Craft (Piatt & DeWitt counties): There are 19 members on Teen Council, a group of junior high and high school 4-H members who are planning events, such as a talent show at the 4-H show this July. Eric Eickmeier has planned and hosted several school field trips to 4-H Camp for students to learn about natural resources and get outside in nature. Henry presented at Ag at the Museum in partnership with DeWitt County Farm Bureau. Several teen teachers join him in presenting on germination. Welcome to the Real World, a financial literacy program, was presented to Blue Ridge 8th graders.
Sarah Smith mentioned the ROE website has resources. She shared about VR goggles that are programmed for youth to explore different careers. She is interested in creating a process with 4-H’s financial literacy program and the VR goggles.
4-H- Haley Jones (Macon County): Over 200 5th graders attended Agucation at Richland Community College, where 4-H taught “Where does pizza come from?” There is a new partnership with Salvation Army to provide STEM programming with 40-50 kids this summer. Staff is also doing programs with English language learners at Decatur Public School’s summer school program. Staff are doing programs at libraries this summer and are looking for judges for the summer shows.
Food & Nutrition- Caitlin Mellendorf: She focused on cottage food programs and non-restaurant food handlers trainings this spring. She targeted a church in each county to train volunteers at churches who may prepare and serve meals. Caitlin offered recipe cards for anyone that can use them at their locations. Michael said he could give them to WIC participants. Sarah mentioned that Mt. Zion Library has a food pantry and a garden that could use the cards. In addition, family and consumer science (FCS) teachers may be able to use them. It was discussed that perhaps the CEO, FFA/Ag and FCS teachers might be interested in having Caitlin do an introduction to cottage food safety with their students as many are interested in entrepreneurship.
Horticulture- Sarah Vogel: Sarah is presenting at her professional association’s national meeting in Denver this summer. The statewide program “Community Tree Care” had six webinars and has additional programming planned for the fall. Her local program “Homegrown Harvest,” will take place in June and July at a community garden in Decatur. Elementary school kids at Johns Hill started seeds and planted them in the garden. She plans to do monthly programs with the 1st grade classrooms starting in the fall. Sarah reminded the group about a tool kit that community and school gardens can use to get their project(s) started.
Piatt/DeWitt Master Gardeners have welcomed Piatt County Mental Health groups at the community garden in Monticello. There are plans for Caitlin to use the food grown in programs with them later this summer/fall. MG have been doing programs in the rural areas of the county.
Macon Master Gardeners have been doing more educational outreach. They have Willy’s Garden Week at the Decatur Public Library coming up in June as well as programs at the Crossing Healthcare Garden.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:20 PM
The next meeting is set for Monday, August 31 from 2-3:30pm at the DeWitt County Extension Office located at 1160 State Rte 54, Clinton, IL.
Members
DeWitt County
Grace Clark
Annilee Rohrscheib
Macon County
Sonya Anthony
Janet Boomer
Cassie Crouch
Morgan Crouch
Wayne Dunning
Merry Lanker
Piatt County
Jerry Edwards
Todd Henricks
Mike Randall
Sydnee Shafer
Title
Extension Council 2026 Meetings
All meetings will be from 2-3:30 p.m.
March 10 | Macon County Extension Office
May 27 | Piatt County Extension Office
August 31 | DeWitt County Extension Office
November 5 | Macon County Extension Office