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News and Events
News
Fulbright Scholarship
Maurice Ogutu, Horticulture Extension Educator at the Countryside Extension Center, recently received a Fulbright scholarship in the African Regional Research Program. Starting September 16, 2009, Maurice will be working for six months in Nyanza Province, Kenya. He will focus his research on assessing the outreach barriers between the local university and surrounding communities. He will aim at forging stronger connections between his host institution, Maseno University, and the communities in Nyanza Province to enable the university to become a catalyst for development in the region. His work will also include training of small-scale farmers on newly introduced vegetables and presenting brief workshops on how to grow fruits and vegetables to students and community groups. In addition, he will lead a pilot project on how the university can train local farmers to volunteer in their communities to provide research-based information to their peers in order to improve food security, generate income, and improve standards of living in the region.
Maurice’s research topic is: “Connecting resource-limited farmers to university and Nyanza Province, Kenya – enhancing food security in communities through university outreach”
States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs (S4-HIEP)
On Thursday, July 23 two groups of Japanese youth and their chaperones arrived in Illinois for their four week home-stay experience with American host families. One group consisting of ten youth arrived at St. Louis international airport. A second, larger group of 50 kids was welcomed at Chicago O’Hare International airport. Both groups spent their first nights at a two-day preparation camp with 4-H counselors and volunteers. Afterwards they were transported to host families across Illinois where they will become an integral part of their family life for the next four weeks.
It is the goal of the States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs (S4-HIEP) to expose youth to foreign cultures and languages and learn about them through exposure and integration. Lasting friendships are created and the participating youth receive an extraordinary educational experience preparing them for life in a globalized society.
Many of the exchange students will visit 4-H fairs and other 4-H activities with their host families while here in Illinois. This provides an opportunity for the students to learn about American youth programs. In turn, this is a unique opportunity for the host families to learn about the Japanese culture and tradition from their guests. Especially hosting siblings will get first-hand insights into education, customs and habits of children in a far away country.
The delegates will return to Japan on Friday, August 21 after a month of adventures and many new impressions and experiences.
Just arrived!
A bit tired but happy and looking forward to four weeks of experiencing Illinois
Relaxing around the pool
First contacts with American food!
With fun and good spirits to new adventures!
Trees Are Terrific...Travels with Pierre Website in Chinese
As a result of collaborations with Sanda University in Shanghai and Virginia Kuo, Extension Unit Educator, Peoria Unit, Extension is producing several Schools Online websites in Chinese. The first site is Trees Are Terrific...Travels with Pierre developed for K-2 students. It teaches about the value of trees, how they grow and why they are important.
Upcoming Events
Workshop: Natural Resources, Agriculture and Sustainable Development in Sweden
On October 22, 2009 from 11 am to 1 pm, University of Illinois Extension Springfield Center will present a workshop on the topic of “Natural Resources, Agriculture and Sustainable Development in Sweden”. Featured speakers are Peter Sylwan, University of Lund, Sweden and Torbjörn Fagerström, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, both also members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA). The workshop will be available for viewing via live video conference in selected Extension offices around the state. More details will be posted as they become available.
The event is co-sponsored by the University of Illinois European Union Center.
Gardens of France 2010
In May 2010, the Illinois Master Gardeners will offer a trip to the Gardens of France. Ten days filled with beautiful and enchanting gardens across France as well as a great cultural experience awaits the participants of this unique trip. Starting in Nice, in southern France, the group will work their way north, visiting the Loire Valley and ending the trip in Paris. To learn more about this opportunity please see the trip agenda.
States 4-H International Exchange Program 2010
The States 4-H International Exchange Program provides opportunities for youth to connect to the world by either hosting international visitors or travelling abroad. In 2010, travel opportunities await youth from age 12 to age 19 (varies by program) to destinations in Australia, Costa Rica and Japan. These one or two month lasting exchange programs offer a unique opportunity for youth to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, live with a host family and study a language. For more information about the 2010 international 4-H exchange opportunities, please see:
