BELVIDERE, Ill. – Illinois Extension welcomed Abigail Nelson as the 4-H youth development educator serving Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties in early June.
Nelson will provide leadership and programming in 4-H youth development, focusing on schools and new audiences. She is passionate about leadership development, emotional intelligence education, and helping others reach their full potential by gaining greater wonder and responsibility for the people and world around them.
“As a former 4-Her, I am so excited to step into the role of 4-H Educator and contribute to these communities in meaningful ways,” says Nelson; “My focus will be on empowering youth to develop skills and leadership qualities that not only benefit them personally but also enrich their community.”
Nelson lives in Rockford and is a Boone County 4-H alumna, having participated actively in the program for ten years. She earned an Associate of Arts from Rock Valley College, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Administration from Southern Illinois University, and a Master of Business Administration, with distinction, from Rasmussen University.
Nelson will be based in the Boone County Office at 205 Cadillac Ct. Ste. 3 in Belvidere and can be reached at agnelson@illinois.edu.
More information about Illinois Extension serving Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle Counties can be found online at extension.illinois.edu/bdo.
With program staff serving all 102 counties in Illinois, Extension connects people with research-based knowledge to help communities thrive. 4-H impacts youth through inclusive programming that the whole family can enjoy, rooted in positive youth development principles. 4-H youth are five times more likely to say they will graduate from college, four times more likely to say they help their communities, and two times more likely to say they are active in school.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
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.