BOURBONNAIS, Ill — Across the state, University of Illinois Extension staff link their communities with resources they need to thrive by turning science into solutions. Demonstrating Extension’s mission of life-long learning first-hand, staff gathered in Urbana in late November at the Extension Annual Conference to learn from each other and make a wider impact through the power of collaboration.
“The Extension Annual Conference was an excellent opportunity for our staff to share their own unique talents with peers from across the state,” said Marilu Andon, Extension county director serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties. “It’s rewarding to see our staff recognized for creating programs that truly make a difference in their communities.”
Extension acknowledged the efforts of individuals and teams across the state in developing programs that improve their communities through a full slate of Excellence awards, which included awards for interdisciplinary, inclusion, and field-based teams, among others.
Two local staff were recognized with an Illinois Extension Excellence Award:
Brittney Muschetto-DePatis, 4-H Youth Development Educator
Inclusive Excellence: Field-based Program Staff, Individual
Recognizing a gap in resources for supporting youth with disabilities, 4-H Youth Development Educator Brittney Muschetto launched initiatives that make inclusion an integral part of 4-H programming. Her master’s research, The Inclusion of Youth with Special Abilities in the Illinois 4-H Program, surveyed staff statewide and revealed that over 80% desired more tools and training for working with youth with disabilities.
In response, Muschetto developed the 4-H Individual Accommodation Plan, a proactive resource used by families to identify supports like extended judging time, oral instructions, or modified event participation—reducing barriers and improving access. The tool has since been adopted across multiple counties, empowering families and leaders to create more equitable experiences.
Brittney also founded the 4-H 4ALL Club, now in its third year, serving adults with developmental disabilities and engaging traditional 4-H members as volunteers.
Emilia Elabed, 4-H Youth Development Educator
Inclusive Excellence: Field-based Program Staff, Team
The Illinois 4-H Better Together Committee, which includes Emilia Elabed, 4-H youth development educator, drives efforts to promote inclusion and equity across 4-H by implementing the 2022-23 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Strategic Plan. Through monthly meetings, annual assessments, and educational webinars that draw 50 to 100 participants, the committee supports staff and volunteers in creating welcoming and equitable programs.
Initiatives include workshops, inclusive policy updates, and youth engagement at events such as the Illinois State Fair, reaching more than 500 youth each year. The team also leads resources such as the Better Together Bulletin and accessible programming tip sheets provide practical tools for staff statewide.
The committee’s work has sparked a visible cultural shift toward inclusivity and belonging, laying the foundation for long-term, systemic change and a stronger, more representative 4-H across Illinois.
A list of all statewide Excellence Award recipients can be found online.
The 2025 Conference was an opportunity to acknowledge challenges, including the loss of the SNAP nutrition education program, celebrate successes, recognize the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener program, and look to the future. The welcome address by Extension’s new Associate Dean and Director Matthew Vann touched on opportunities for expanding connections with the university and in communities statewide.
“Our united vision is to help others in Illinois recognize that Extension is a trusted source of information, both through our connection with the university, and because of our longstanding role as a community partner statewide,” Vann said. “Alongside our colleagues in the College of ACES, we are doing this as one college, better together.”
College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero applauded the value of Extension's work connecting the university with communities across the state through more than a century of building trust.
“The land grant mission is not a program or an office, but a promise that knowledge should be in reach for everyone,” Bollero said. “Building, reinvigorating, and strengthening relationships are now more important than ever. We need to listen even more closely and partner even more creatively in the coming years.”
More information about Illinois Extension, including programs like 4-H and Master Gardeners, can be found online at go.illinois.edu/gkw.
WRITERS: Anthony Warmack, communications coordinator, Illinois Extension; Emily Steele, media communications manager, Illinois 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.