Welcome

No matter what your age, occupation, or where you live in Champaign County, University of Illinois Extension provides research-based information and educational programs for Champaign County residents to improve their quality of life in diverse and ever-changing communities.

• 2350 Youth participated in character education programs.
  
  
• 136 parents and child care providerslearned skills to help them raise healthychildren
  
  
• 163 farmers learned to identify crop pests and diseases.
  
  
• More than 2000 Champaign County residents received appropriate pest management information regarding their homes, landscapes or gardens.

• Marilyn Brengle - Unit Leader
• Steve Ayers - Farm Business Management Educator
• Sandy Mason - Horticulture and Environment Educator
• Angela Reinhart - Family Life Educator
• Fran Streitmatter - 4-H Youth Development Educator
• Alison Donoho - 4-H Youth Development
• Christine Martinez - Master Gardener Program Coordinator
• Myrtle Ali - FNP/4-H Youth Development
• Betty Armstrong - Family Nutrition Program (FNP)
• Joan Burch - Family Nutrition Program
• Alberta Roundtree - Family Nutrition Program
• Judy Becker - Secretary
• Sharon Hamilton - FNP Secretary
• Pam Herriott - Fiscal Secretary
• Jo O'Connor - 4-H Secretary

• Weekly News Gazette Columns
  
  
• Horticulture–Homeowner's column
• Agriculture–Crop, Stock and Ledger column
• Consumer–Extension Connection column
  
  
• Television features on WCIA, WICD, and WILL
  
  
• Radio programs on local stations WDWD, WILL, WKIO
  
  
• Workshops and special interest programming throughout Champaign County
  
  
• Over 4000 households receive the Extension connection newspaper
  
  
• 45,000 Internet users access educational information monthly through the Champaign County Extension website.

Encouraged Environmental Responsibility.

• Over 2100 people viewed hort/pest management practices at Master Gardener Idea Garden
  
• 20 people were trained in classroom and online as Master Gardeners
  
• 23 Master Gardeners successfully completed advanced training in tree ID
  
• 43 Arborists, natural areas stewards, city and park district personnel and Master Gardeners learned possible dangers of Sudden Oak Death
  
• Provided Pesticide Safety Education to 137 area farmers to secure certification to use restricted use pesticides and herbicides

Enriched and Nurtured Relationships.

• 20 families addressed developmental needs of kids ages newborn- three years in playgroups
  
• 61 parents and child care providers learned tips and games to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles in young children
  
• 75 parents and child care providers improved communication skills and discipline techniques

Discovered Practical and Timely Solutions.

• 294 gardeners learned from international speakers at Garden Day
• 1200 people were made aware of a variety of garden plants and designs during Garden Walk
• 24 Master Gardeners completed 15 hours of continued education in plant propagation
• 75 adults increased their capacity to create nutritious meals on a limited budget through community seminars
• 1100 adults received nutrition newsletters monthly

Advocated Positive Youth Development.

• Taught gardening and personal development skills for 85 youth at Juvenile Detention Center. Garden was expanded this year by request of residents and staff
  
• 572 children served by Crisis Nursery experienced educational activities in the gardens planted and maintained through more than 150 Master Gardener volunteer hours
  
• 15 after-school programs in various locations provided 560 youth alternatives to hanging out in the "wrong places"
  
• More than 700 fourth and fifth graders interactively experienced how choices affect their bodies health by participating in the Body Walk program
  
• 265 preschool children practiced hand-washing skills to prevent the spread of germs
  
• 220 children learned basic food preparation skills and better food choices during summer day camps
  
• 431 youth participated in 4-H community clubs

Strengthened Financial Security.

• More than 1700 high school students experienced money management decisions including the skills needed for checking accounts and maintaining account balances
  
• Provided leadership for local America Saves affiliate, Champaign County Saves to encourage individuals to develop strategies for saving
  
• Assisted 93 adults in knowing how to access their own credit reports and review them for accuracy
  
• Provide monthly grain market information to over 75 farmers through the Champaign County Corn and Soybean Marketing Club