ALBION, Ill. – Illinois Extension, serving Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne counties, congratulates two staff members for being recognized at the Illinois Extension annual conference in Champaign. Jane Jones, Wayne and Edwards County SNAP-Ed community worker, was recognized with the Individual Extension Excellence award and Ryan Littlejohn, Wayne County 4-H youth development Extension program coordinator, was recognized as a member of the 4-H professional development team with the Team Excellence award.
As a SNAP-Ed community worker, Jones provides nutrition education and resources by facilitating workshops for local housing authorities, school programs in Edwards and Wayne counties, and hosting cooking schools for area youth. Jones was recognized for her diligence in advancing the mission of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through connections with local organizations and food pantries as well as her participation in local community health events. Jones has been with Illinois Extension since 2021.
Littlejohn serves as the Wayne County 4-H youth development program coordinator and joined Illinois Extension in 2022. As a member of the 4-H professional development team, he was recognized for his collaboration in spearheading a new initiative called “Campapalooza.” This professional development opportunity empowered 4-H educators and coordinators statewide to advocate for opportunities at 4-H Memorial Camp through a camp-like learning and networking experience.
County Director, Tara Buerster, commended them, saying, “I am thrilled for Jane Jones and Ryan Littlejohn for receiving Extension Excellence awards this week at annual conference. Jane and Ryan are both dedicated Extension employees who go above and beyond to serve the residents in our communities.”
Jones, Littlejohn, and Buerster were invited to attend a special recognition dinner and award winners were recognized at an awards ceremony during the conference.
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.