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Extension Horticulture educator engages young minds with new gardening curriculum

director gives educator an award

URBANA, Ill. — Captivating the minds of middle school students is no easy feat, but University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Bruce Black has charted a course that increases engagement and has measurable learning outcomes. Black's creative approach to the Challand Middle School horticulture program's evolution was recognized by Illinois Extension and awarded the Program Evaluation Excellence Award in November at the 2024 Illinois Extension Annual Conference.

In 2017, Black, alongside middle school agriculture teacher Julie LeFevre, sought ways to evaluate and improve the horticulture curriculum at Challand Middle School located in Sterling. In the first year, they based the curriculum on the standard state-required topics while using the standard Extension survey, complemented by informal check-ins with students. This initial launch allowed them to measure the student’s retention of the materials and look for ways to refine the course and evaluation process.

By the second year, Black tailored an 18-question survey students took before and after the course. Routine check-ins with students during lessons provided opportunities for feedback, fostering an environment for increased participation and engagement. 

Over the past seven years, improvements in the Challand horticulture program have informed curriculum adjustments and enhancements such as hands-on learning and exposure to real-life applications and have achieved a 90% increase in horticulture knowledge among students. 

Black is a horticulture educator serving Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside counties in northwestern Illinois. Black’s primary focus is addressing the different generational horticulture educational needs and inspiring the next generation of gardeners. His primary areas of expertise are in fruit and vegetable production, plant propagation, and community and youth garden education.Extension educators provide programs across the state. To find out about programs in your area, connect with your local Extension office at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice.

Photo Caption: Regional Director Janice McCoy and Horticulture Educator Bruce Black 

About Extension

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.