RAYMOND, Ill. – Borgic Farms has been named the 2025 Community Partner Award winner by University of Illinois Extension in Montgomery County. Staff from Borgic Farms made a big impact by bringing piglets from their sow farm into classrooms across Christian and Montgomery Counties. They engaged students with live demonstrations, answered questions, and sparked curiosity about farming and animal care. Their efforts helped Extension reach nearly 1,500 students with this hands-on agricultural experience. “Staff from the Borgic team brought enthusiasm and knowledge to every classroom. Thanks to their commitment, students got to see, touch, and learn about pigs in a way textbooks simply can’t offer,” said Rebecca Niemeier, Agricultural Literacy Program Coordinator.
University of Illinois Extension serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties is proud to present this award to Borgic Farms and staff in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to Extension programs. “Illinois Extension relies on strong community partnerships in all aspects of our work. From providing facilities or volunteers that assist with programming to offering financial support or exposure to new audiences, Extension staff and volunteers are grateful and appreciative of each of our community partners and the support they provide,” said Sara Marten, Extension county director.
This award is sponsored by the Extension Council of University of Illinois Extension, serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties. The council recognizes a community partner throughout our four counties each year. Extension Council is a volunteer board that serves in an advisory role cooperating 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.
Photo Caption: University of Illinois Extension staff member presenting the 2025 Community Partner Award to Borgic Farms; (left to right) Suzi Steber, Tammy Branham, Rebecca Niemeier, Karen Borgic, Phil Borgic, Mike Borgic, and Amanda Spinner.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.