BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Each month University of Illinois Extension serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties sits down with an Extension staff member to discuss their work and impact in the community.
This month's spotlight features Nancy Kuhajda, horticulture educator serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties. In this role, Kuhajda provides educational experiences centered around horticulture as well as leadership to the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs in the unit.
How long have you worked with Illinois Extension and what do you like most about your job?
"I have worked with Extension since 2003 in my official capacity. I began my “work” with Extension in 1992 when I took the Illinois Master Gardener Training. A few years after that I took I a part time job as an academic hourly, and then when the new position of Extension Program Coordinator, I applied and got the job. Then when I finished my Masters Degree from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in Dec 2023, I was so fortunate to attain my longtime goal of becoming an Illinois Extension Educator in Horticulture.
The favorite part of my job is seeing how what I do in my work with Illinois Extension positively and on a daily basis improves the lives of our community. Whether it is seeing a young child having that "aha" moment about learning where their food comes from, or when a special needs adults parent tells me that the simple weekly garden club we have, has made their adult son or daughter feel seen and belonging."
Extension is heavily focused on community impact - Can you tell us about a project you are excited about that you have completed or are currently planning that will help the community?
"There are so many over the years that it is hard to choose! I would say I am constantly motivated to create innovative programming that helps our communities where they are. A few that come to mind are a longtime project, Kids n Nature, that gives youth with few resources the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and learn about plants, animals and our natural community.
The other is a new program, Garden to Go and Grow, where community residents can receive a container with vegetable seeds and plants that they can grow at home."
What does Extension's Mission and Vision mean to you and how do those ideas connect with your own values or goals in your role?
"This is an easy one. I am a born helper. My greatest personal mission is to help others at whatever place they are, to make their lives easier and better in whatever capacity that is. That is what Extension’s mission and vision do! You know how they say everything you have done in your life leads you to where you are? That is totally true for me."
What is your favorite Extension program or resource and why?
"I would have to say my favorite Extension Program is the volunteer side of the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs- volunteers have learned the research based information through the classes and experiential activities, to see these volunteers start to apply all they have learned through Illinois Extension and to actually impact the lives of the program participants with which they serve, but also, the way that volunteering has greatly impacted the lives of the volunteers themselves in positive and deep ways they have never imagined. That is what keeps them coming back."
EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about volunteering, visit extension.illinois.edu/gkw/volunteer.
Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
"My favorite hobbies are birdwatching/nature watching, gardening and reading."
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, communications and marketing coordinator, Illinois Extension.
SOURCE: Nancy Kuhajda, horticulture educator, Illinois Extension.
MEDIA ACCESS: For press inquiries, contact Anthony Warmack, warmacka@illinois.edu, 217-244-5813. Want to keep in touch with news from Illinois Extension? Sign up for press updates.
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.
Fifty Years of Impact by Illinois Extension Master Gardeners: University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are celebrating 50 years of positive impact across Illinois in 2025. Master Gardeners enrich communities with their commitment to horticulture education and the art and science of growing. Over 2,000 active volunteers invest their time and talents cultivating collaborative gardens that feed and support healthy communities, foster hands-on learning, enhance neighborhood beauty, and support the environment. Help Master Gardeners grow.