University of Illinois Extension serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties had several staff and volunteers recognized with awards at state award events this fall.

Tayler Wheatley, SNAP-Ed educator was awarded the Robin A. Orr Outstanding Practitioner Award at University of Illinois Extension’s SNAP-Ed Nutrition Program Conference on November 5, 2020.  Dr. Orr, who passed away in 2010, had been the voice of nutrition education for our most vulnerable Illinois citizens for 17 years. This award recognizes an outstanding practitioner for their significant accomplishments and contributions to leadership education and related fields. In her position as SNAP-Ed educator, Tayler’s objective is to change policies, systems, and the environment to ensure that healthy options are available to SNAP-eligible audiences. A large focus of Tayler’s work has been to increase the health of food pantries. She worked with local food pantry coordinators and volunteers to increase the amount of healthy foods available and develop ways to encourage guests to choose the more nutritious food items. She also helps to train food service staff in local schools on the ABCs of School Nutrition and works with local early childhood agencies and community health coalitions on projects that impact SNAP eligible audiences.

SNAP-Ed staff from University of Illinois Extension serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island & Stark Counties received 2020 INEP of Excellence UNIT Teams Award. Members of the winning team include, Tayler Wheatley, SNAP-Ed educator, SNAP-Ed Community Workers: Colin Cushman, Darcy Eggimann, Brent McRae, Gale Vyncke, and Mitchell Walker, and SNAP-Ed Office Support Associate Amy Spence.  They were recognized for meeting goals established during the strategic planning process as well as implementing innovative outreach to SNAP-Ed clients during a difficult spring and summer due to COVID-19. From the creation of video vignettes based on the “Eat. Move. Save.” program, to creating and distributing project bags containing activities and supplies to over 1500 youth on a regular basis and other innovative outreach, the SNAP-Ed team continued to expand and extend the reach of Extension to their racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse audiences.

University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator Kristin Bogdonas Receives the NEAFCS Written Media Communications Award
Kristin Bogdonas, nutrition and wellness educator with University of Illinois Extension serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island & Stark counties was honored recently at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 86th annual session, whose theme was “Life Elevated”. She received the NEAFCS Written Media Communication Award at the virtual conference held September 14 -16, 2020. In receiving the award, Bogdonas was recognized for an article she wrote, Take Diabetes to Heart, published in the Quad City Times to raise awareness about diabetes self-management and a free community event to promote diabetes prevention and management. The Written Press Release Communication Award encourages excellence in communication for a news article or a special feature story or a personal column. Bogdonas’ commitment to meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities is exemplary. This award is sponsored this year by the NEAFCS membership and awards fund.

Local Master Gardener Volunteers Recognized by University of Illinois Extension

Volunteers of University of Illinois Extension's Master Gardener program were recognized at a virtual awards ceremony Oct. 2. The annual awards ceremony recognizes the work of the 2,700 volunteers around the state who provide horticulture-related assistance to their communities. Their passion and their mission is helping others learn to grow. Two state awards were presented to Master Gardener Volunteers serving the Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties, they were:

Sustained Excellence Award The Sustained Excellence Award recognized 11 previous Outstanding State Award winners in 2020 for their continued dedication to the program for developing in their Master Gardener career with new responsibilities and initiatives. Locally, Phillip Cray of Port Byron, Ill. received the award for his work in the Rock Island, Henry Stark, Mercer counties Extension service area. Phil graduated from Master Gardener training in 2008. His participation and service in the program earned him the State Outstanding Master Gardener Award in 2010. Since then, Phil has accrued over 2100 hours of volunteer service and continuing education in support of Master Gardener projects for the unit.  

Teamwork Award The Teamwork Award recognized Master Gardener projects that have been impactful, innovative, and replicable statewide. Local recipients were the Rock Island County Master Gardener Mentoring Committee members: Linda Clewell of Moline, Ill.. Deb Corso of Andalusia, Ill., Julia Martin of Milan, Ill.,, and Sharon Schulz of Milan, Ill. They reworked the mentoring program and how current Master Gardeners assist staff in the training process. They increased volunteer engagement and retention in numerous projects. They also assisted staff in tracking volunteer hours - even as new delivery avenues were added. They developed a new document to track current membership requests and also new marketing pieces to demonstrate the depth of volunteer involvement and the benefits across the community.