Meetings and Agendas

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. The unit 7 Extension Council meets four times per year.

The 2025-26 schedule is as follows:

August 19, 2025 Zoom 4:30 – 5:30 pm
October 21, 2025 Zoom 4:30 – 5:30 pm
February 17, 2026 Zoom 4:30 – 5:30 pm
April 21, 2026 Zoom 4:30 – 5:30 pm

If you would like to make a public comment, inquiries need to be made 24 hours in advance to County Director Jenny Garner via telephone at (309) 756-9978 or by email at: jsgarnr@illinois.edu

Council Members

Henry, Mercer, Rock Island & Stark Counties Extension Council Members:

Representing Henry County

Dave Dyer
Dianna Saelens
Mike Sigwalt

Representing Mercer County:

Spencer Griffin
Melissa Hajostek

Representing Rock Island County:

Adrian Blackwell
Rebecca Cantu
Tara Mayhew
Penny Wickert

Representing Stark County:

Mary Meaker

Youth Council Members Representing:
Stark County 4-H: Riggens Shafer
Rock Island County 4-H: Maya Boehle
Mercer County 4-H: Addison Monson
Henry County 4-H: Mason Palmer

Extension Council Minutes from Tues Feb 17, 2026 via Zoom

Present: Adrian Blackwell, Maya Boehle, Dave Dyer, Spencer Griffin, Melissa Hajostek, Tara Mayhew, Mary Meaker, Addison Monson, Dianna Saelens, Riggins Shafer
Others Present: Kristin Bogdonas, Jenny Garner, Russell Medley, Emily Swihart
Call to Order: Dianna Saelens called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Spencer Griffin called the roll.
Public Comments: Not applicable.
Previous Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting on October 21, 2025, were approved with noted changes on a motion by Adrian Blackwell and seconded by Tara Mayhew. Motion carried.

Fiscal Report:
• The Unit 7 Trust and Self‐Supporting accounts ending December 31, 2025, were provided for review by Jenny Garner.
• Henry/Stark In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $5,793.13. Mercer In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $1,713.68. Rock Island In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $4,341.39.

Council Reports:
• Adrian Blackwell reported the Rock Island Health Department has been doing outreach at Project Now’s homeless shelters, specifically BridgePoint, Christian Care, and downtown Rock Island. Hours were extended in November to offer COVID and flu
vaccinations.
• Mike Sigwalt reported the Geneseo‐Atkinson Food Pantry experienced a 26% increase with 500 guests served in October and November with the government shutdown and SNAP benefits. While things have settled down, the pantry is still seeing 450 guests each month, which is much higher than normal.
• Tara Mayhew said the Rock Island County Farm Bureau closed their hunger drive that brought in $8,400, which is much lower than a historic average of $20,000 to $25,000. Proceeds were given to the River Bend Food Bank. A succession planning program will
be offered on February 20 at Lavendar Crest. Trivia Night will be on February 28 for purposes of raising funds to purchase a peddle tractor for use at the fair. Rurals for the Road is scheduled for March 4 and covers CDL regulations and guidelines. The Women in Ag Conference is set for March 27.
• Dave Dyer said the City of Galva received a $29,000 grant to do tree inventory and another $8,400 to purchase trees. Emily Swihart offered Extension’s assistance.
• Melissa Hajostek said the Mercer County Health Department is offering flu and COVID shots but does not have RSV or shingles for the elderly. Food donations have been coming in steadily.
• Mary Meaker indicated the Wyoming Public Library has seen hearty attendance for preschool time, and winter reading challenge is themed around the Olympics. The Library received $10,000 from Carnegie Corporation of New York for building improvements.
• Dianne Saelens said Birth to Five is gearing up for Easter egg hunts and will be wrappingup their regional needs assessment update at the end of this week.

Staff Programming Information:
• Russell Medley indicated a poverty simulation is planned for March 7 at Geneseo School District with 260 teachers expected to participate.
• Emily Swihart reported Horticulture’s largest event, Nursery School, is coming up this weekend with eight separate sessions offered to participants on a variety of subjects. Inhousing programming is being offered with the latest plant propagation generating a participant to comment, “This is the best $15 I have spent.”
• Kristin Bogdonas started the first part of 16 sessions with an 8‐week Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program, which is a big commitment for the participants with a focus on aging and wellness. The program filled up quickly, so a second session is planned for those on the waiting list. A location with mirrors so participants can see what they are doing is being sought. The second eight weeks will bring in a trainer to
enhance their skills.
• From the staff handout: Jennifer Peterson has been weighing cattle for the four counties. Rock Island County Teen Federation is doing a cooking workshop on Valentine’s Day and Mercer County is hold a soup cook‐off on February 21.
• From the staff handout: Elaine Kaple wrapped up Cooking 101 at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center and a social emotional learning visual arts series at Washington Junior High School, both in Rock Island.

Announcements: Refer to New Business.
New Business:
• In-and-Out Account Audit: Jenny Garner reported on the annual internal in‐and‐out bank account audit, which was reviewed by the audit committee of Tayler Louscher, Mark Montgomery, and Mitchell Walker. For FY25, Henry/Stark In‐and‐Out account had a cash balance of $18,155.42. Mercer In‐and‐Out account had a cash balance of $8,462.85. Rock Island In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $12,685.48. The audit
was approved by the Region 2 Office and accepted with the Extension Business Office.
• Extra Help Positions: Several temporary extra help positions have been created to assist unit staff with the transition due to loss of the SNAP‐Ed program. A QC River Connections grant was received from Quad Cities Community Foundation and will retain a community health position for 12 months to replicate the Floreciente GIFT Garden project for the City of Rock Island’s West End project. Another 4‐H extra help position will support after-school programs and 4‐H activities through early August 2026, and a second extra help position will support marketing and regional housing efforts through early September 2026. The summer intern program is centrally funded and will support horticulture activities; the applicant must be enrolled in undergraduate studies and have a GPA of 2.5.

Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the meeting, a motion was made by Tara Mayhew and seconded by Adrian Blackwell that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Spencer Griffin

University of Illinois Extension Council Meeting – Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark Counties

Extension Council Agenda & Meeting Minutes - Tuesday, August 18, 2025 via Zoom

See the August 19 Agenda here

August 19 Meeting Minutes:

Present: Adrian Blackwell, Maya Boehle, Rebecca Cantu, Dave Dyer, Spencer Griffin, Melissa Hajostek, Mary Meaker, Addison Monson, Mason Palmer, Dianna Saelens, Mike Sigwalt, Riggins Shafer

Others Present: Kristin Bogdonas, Jenny Garner, Elaine Kaple, Tayler Louscher, Russell Medley

Call to Order: Dianna Saelens called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Spencer Griffin called the roll.

Public Comments: Not applicable.

Previous Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting on April 15, 2025, were approved as read on a motion by Adrian Blackwell and seconded by Mary Meaker. Motion carried.

Fiscal Report:

The Unit 7 Trust and Self‐Supporting accounts ending June 30, 2025, were provided for review by Jenny Garner.
Henry/Stark In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $5,447.69. Mercer In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $1,694.04; Rock Island In‐and‐Out account has an end balance of $3,707.49. In‐and‐Out account balances started higher in the month of July to cover expenditures for 4‐H youth cashing their 2024 premium checks.

Council Reports:

Dave Dyer reported that the City of Galva hosted another successful Illinois Extension Farm in the Park at their Veterans Park earlier this month. About 225 young children and their families enjoyed activity stations, petting zoo, and hotdog fundraiser lunch for the Henry County 4‐H Foundation.
Mike Sigwalt said the Geneseo‐Atkinson Food Pantry experienced a record month in July with 406 families accessing services. The program has grown substantially from four years ago when the pantry serviced 47 families during the same period.
Dianna Saelens reported that the Henry County Human Services Council created a resource guide last year and is working on developing postcards to support Henry / Stark County families.
Mary Meaker indicated Wyoming Public Library finished their summer reading program and expressed appreciation for the variety of programming provided by Kristin Bogdonas, Extension’s nutrition and wellness educator. They also hosted a Rural Roots on the Library Lawn with activity stations, petting zoo, and hotdog fundraiser lunch for the Stark County 4‐H Foundation.
Adrian Blackwell talked about the GIFT program where people donate produce from their gardens and how it has been a blessing for Rock Island County families in economic distress due to job loss, inflation, and rising costs. The Rock Island Health Department is also working on their immunization program.
Rebecca Canut reported Two Rivers YMCA finished with their summer day camp. They have developed a resource for families who need after school child care; a super snack is provided.
Melissa Hajostek reported a new grant season started in July. The Mercer County Health Department completed a healthy living fair with Illinois Extension involved last week. The Health Department is also working on their immunization program and is the only location in Mercer County to offer them.

Staff Programming Information:

Elaine Kaple reported on the Spring Forward summer camp that also included Illinois Department of Natural Resources and City of Moline as involved partners. Spring Forward enrollment of 40 youth exceeded capacity at Riverside Park. The partners worked together to achieve a solution overnight that resulted in half of the youth learning how to fish and the other half doing 4‐H experiential learning; the groups then swapped places.
Jennifer Peterson shared photos from the 4‐H shows during the Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark County Fairs this summer.
Russell Medley reported Disaster Ready Quad Cities activated in July because of massive flooding in Iowa. Rebecca Cantu is the chair. A Henry, Mercer, and Stark counties COAD (community organizations active in disaster) just started because of the tornado that hit Kewanee.
Tayler Louscher expanded on the Gift Garden project that supports home vegetable gardeners by providing resources for growing, harvesting, and donating food to local food pantries. This was developed from an internal team of SNAP‐Ed and Horticulture staff along with Master Gardener volunteers. This is a partnership with Illinois Extension, Tapestry Farms, Iowa Extension, Quad City Community Foundation, and River Bend Food Bank. The program encourages new or experienced growers to donate produce to identified food donation sites. The program currently has 70 growers reaching 15 donation sites.
Kristin Bogdonas mentioned a new Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention evidence‐ based program she is currently undertaking training to offer to our service area. About 35% of people aged 65 experience a fall and 1 in 5 adults are experiencing arthritis. This 16‐part session series reduces fear of falling, increases muscle strength, and improves coordination among participants. There is a social connection benefit to the program as well.

Announcements:

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Pub. L. No. 119‐21, 139 Stat. 72 (2025) eliminated funding for the SNAP‐Ed program nationally, which is administered in Illinois under the Eat.Move.Save. brand. This means funding will end for University of Illinois Extension’s SNAP Education program with the close of the federal fiscal year on September 30, 2025. USDA since sent written confirmation acknowledging that Extension will be able to use remaining Federal FY25 SNAP‐Ed funds during FY26. This will allow Illinois Extension to extend services and employment for SNAP‐Ed staff through February of 2026. Extension Unit 7 will lose one‐third of its staff members as a result of the Bill’s passage. SNAP‐Ed, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, has a long history of providing nutrition and physical activity programming in communities across Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Stark counties.

New Business:

Election of Officers: On a motion made by Adrian Blackwell and seconded by Rebecca Cantu, Mary Meaker was elected vice‐chair and Dave Dyer was elected financial reporter.
Extension Board: On a motion made by Dave Dyer and seconded by Melissa Hajostek, Adrian Blackwell was elected to the Extension Unit 7 Board to represent the Advisory Council and Rock Island County.
Open Meetings Act Online Training: Extension Unit 7 Advisory Council members are required to complete the State of Illinois’ Open Meetings Act training. Instructions were provided in the packet and completed certifications should be emailed to Jenny Garner.
Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the meeting, a motion was made by Mary Meaker and seconded by Riggens Shafer that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Spencer Griffin

Past Meeting Minutes and Agendas