Ainsley Olsen is the newest member of the University of Illinois Extension horticulture team serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties. With the growing Master Gardener program, demand for horticulture education, and the addition of the Conservation@Home program it became critical to...
Central Illinois crop production began mid-1800s as settlers started draining the swampy prairie land. They were not able to grow crops due to excess water in the soils. As drainage tile installation methods improved, more and more land was drained. Over time, however, original drainage systems can...
On one hand the concepts are simple, but on the other hand there are details and techniques that help gardeners increase their success at seed starting. In early 2025, University of Illinois Extension hosted a series of hands-on seed starting workshops across Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell...
Over the past two years, University of Illinois Extension 4-H and SNAP-Ed educators have partnered with University of Illinois College of Medicine faculty and Dr. Tiffany Abrego, Licensed Psychologist and Executive Director of Behavioral Health at Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern...
Over the past 13 years, the local University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist program has steadily grown in the number of volunteers and the educational programs offered. It became important to add to the team to continue with the quality support Extension staff provides volunteers and...
In 2013, a passionate group of volunteers laid the foundation for one of Mason County’s most respected 4-H special interest clubs: the Mason County 4-H Shooting Sports Club. What began with a handful of 4-H volunteers, a few youth members, some borrowed equipment, and a vision for safe and...
Illinois SNAP-Education, delivered through the Eat.Move.Save.program, continues to improve the health of families across the state—and right here in Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties. With a focus on...
No matter the size of the community, there are always projects that need addressed. And many times, those projects are also in need of funding sources. A recent meeting facilitated by University of Illinois Extension helped community leaders connect with three state funding sources.“As I work with...
“Is it safer to play single-player games online than multi-player games?” “What is the purpose of parental controls on devices? Are they keeping us safer?”“So, is social media only bad for us?”These were some of the questions Abi Amstutz-Spencer, ...
It did not take long for Rachel Driver to become inspired with the work that happens at University of Illinois Extension. In the fall of 2024, she attended the horticulture core education program and a few months later she was...
A vital source of lean protein is now reaching even more families in Tazewell and Woodford Counties thanks to the expansion of the Hunters Feeding Illinois program through partnership with ...
This past February, 120 youth from Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties gathered for a day of hands-on learning at 4-H Clover Clinic, an event designed to introduce youth to various skills and interests. But behind the scenes, it...
After years of leading active nature groups, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists Peggy West and Jen McDaniel suddenly found themselves unable to keep up with fast-paced groups. So they started a different kind...
Video conferencing may have seen a burst of use during recent years, but its popularity hasn’t waned much. Today, educational, social, and professional opportunities frequently rely on video conferencing software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meets. Local University of Illinois Extension...
If you ask most working adults about their required, annual certification processes you may get an eye roll with their response. But if you ask local 4-H youth about their required, annual Youth for the Quality Care of Animals certification you will get an ear...
Something special happens when people gather around the table to eat together. It is even more amazing when they gather around the table to learn to cook together. Local University of Illinois Extension Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education staff partner with after school programs to...
Commercial row-crop agriculture and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive. While large-scale farming operations can sometimes have negative environmental impacts, many farmers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices that promote biodiversity and ecosystem health. ...
On September 20, 2024, 4-H Discovery Day brought 169 third-grade students and their teachers to Rockwell Mound Park in Havana for an immersive experience in conservation and environmental education. This unique field...
