University of Illinois Extension recognizes that positive youth development programs are crucial for fostering resilient youth and strengthening families. Furthermore, strong partnerships play a critical role in effectively sharing statewide resources. Illinois Extension is pleased to welcome Haley Jones as the new Macon County 4-H Youth Development Educator. Jones will play a vital role in building and maintaining these partnerships to ensure youth have access to a wide range of engaging and impactful learning experiences.
Before joining Illinois Extension, Jones worked with the Iowa 4-H program within Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for 9 years at the county and state levels. Her experience ranges from school-based programming to county fair coordination, volunteer management, and teen leadership.
“We are thrilled to welcome Haley to our team, says County Director Jamie Boas. “Her extensive background in 4-H will be a tremendous asset to our programs and the community.”
Jones will focus on developing and leading programs relevant to the current needs of youth in Macon County, such as teen leadership, career readiness, and civic engagement. Working alongside the 4-H Program Coordinators in Macon County, the team will continue providing quality and intentional opportunities for youth while building and maintaining strong community partnerships and volunteer relationships.
“I am very excited to dive into the needs of Macon County youth and work to provide them with impactful opportunities that will guide them as they move forward into adulthood,” says Jones. “Empowering youth to develop life skills and discover their spark is an aspect of youth development that makes this work enjoyable and meaningful.”
Jones is a native of Spencer, Iowa, where she grew up on her family’s dairy farm and was an active member of the Meadow Busy Bees 4-H Club. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science and a Master of Science in Agricultural Education with an emphasis on Extension, both from Iowa State University.
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.