URBANA, Ill. — Across the state, more than 650 University of Illinois Extension employees work to serve the communities where they live and help tackle local issues with research-based solutions. Illinois Extension honored 11 outstanding individuals whose efforts demonstrate significant public value and impact on staff, volunteers, program participants, and partners at its annual conference in November.
These exemplary staff members have served varying lengths of time, from just a few years to several decades, working on campus, in local offices, and across various program areas. Among those honored was Johnna Jennings, a 4-H Youth Development Educator from DeKalb County.
With over 31 years of service at Illinois Extension, Jennings exemplifies the 4-H motto of “Making the Best Better.” She serves communities in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties and leads impactful programs such as "Health Jam," "Chick Incubation and Embryology," conducts Teen Teacher Cooking Schools to promote healthy cooking skills, and she works to support 4-H community club programs. Additionally, she has played a key role in the Northern Illinois 4-H Camp by training teen counselors and enhancing the experiences of participants. For 24 years, she has also contributed to the State 4-H Volunteerism Committee. Jennings recently received the National 4-H Meritorious Service Award.
Illinois 4-H empowers youth to tackle the challenges facing Illinois by developing the leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, stewards, and builders needed for the future. To learn how to get involved with 4-H in your community, visit extension.illinois.edu/bdo/4-h-clubs or call the office at 815-758-8194.
PHOTO:
| Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator, Johnna Jennings (on right) received the Individual Excellence Award from Amanda Taylor, Associate Director, Workforce Development (on left). |
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.