Macon County Extension Council Minutes
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November 9, 2009
Macon County Extension Council
November 9, 2009
Council Minutes
5:30 pm - Dinner
Members Present - Karen Allen, Shannon Allen, Bill Buechsenschuetz, Tim Dowd, Karen Halicki, Ann Kappenman, Marie Luchetti, Diana Shipley, Mark Sturgell, Bill Voorhees
Members Not Present - Mike Bartimus, Jessica Barrientos, Cozette Cliff, Evan Hall, Brogan McKinney, Kirk Meyers, Kim New, Maria Ploch,
Unit Staff Members Present - Cheryl Brown, Doug Harlan, Phyllis Herring, Amy Leman, Paul Mariman, Mindy Peterson
6:05 pm - Call to Order - Mark Sturgell - Chair
Welcome and Introductions - Mark Sturgell - Everyone introduces themselves
Read and Approve September 14, 2009 minutes - Minutes included in council packet
1st Motion to Approve - Karen Allen
2nd Motion to Approve - Tim Dowd
Motion Passed
Fiscal Report - Doug Harlan
Macon County received the 2nd County Board match payment, and will receive final payment of approximately $20,000.00 in the spring. Our current Trust Account balance is $570,000.00. The In/Out Account has a balance of $19,000.00, and Mr. Harlan noted that $12,000.00 in 4-H premiums had been paid out to 4-Hers. Extension will receive the return on this payment, but not until April/May of 2010. The Revolving Account, which encompasses our Program Income, is in very good shape with approximately $50,000 in program income. The entire staff is very frugal and contentious on the way they spend money and initiate cost recovery.
Storage Building Update - Doug Harlan
Our storage building has started going up with the frame of the building almost complete. The builders are still waiting on materials, but extension hopes to have storage in the building by Christmas. The cost of the building is approximately $30,000.00 with extension being responsible for $10,000-$12,000 of the bill.
4-H/Youth Development Updates - Amy Leman
With 4-H/Youth Development under new state leadership, Amy said that many new and fresh ideas are starting to emerge. Amy discussed the three new product lines that 4-H will be promoting, which are Positive Youth Development, Youth Education, and Paid Service for Youth Organizations. Each of these three lines promotes different programs/products to the community. In Positive Youth Development, clubs meet at least six times per year and special interest clubs are stressed. With regards to Youth Education, short term programs like Organ Wise will be the focus. Finally, Paid Services for Youth Organizations encompass Summer Camps, WTRW, and Grants.
6:30 pm - Program Planning & Breakouts
In the breakout sessions, each program area discussed their plan of work with council members. The council members were asked what educational needs they saw in the community that needed to be addressed.
Program Updates
- County Director - Doug Harlan
Doug discussed the reactivation of our County Newsletter electronically. Doug asked that anyone who is interested in being sent the newsletter pass their e-mail onto Diane Dowd.
Doug also discussed the move of the office towards social networking, i.e. facebook, twitter, etc.
- 4-H/Youth Development - Amy Leman
Thanks to a facebook page started by Macon County 4-H, over 155 fans have been added to their site, and they are rivaling the state 4-H page which only has 444 in the state of Illinois. A grant for $8500.00 for the SNAP Program has been awarded and also a $2500 grant for Youth Summit has been awarded to extension by Decatur Community Partnership. A monthly spot on WAND will showcase the RoboStorms who will be competing at the National Lego competition in December after winning the state competition.
- Community & Economic Development - Mindy Peterson
The 2009 Regional Neighborhood Networking Conference was held in Decatur during the month of September. Extension had an opportunity to work on this conference, and was very please by the large number in attendance. We were able to showcase not only the City of Decatur, but also the Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations. The Senior Center Computer classes are full through January, and the need for more classes is being assessed. The 2010, 8th Grade Career Fair dates have been set for January, and anyone who is interested in being a speaker can contact Mindy at the office.
- EFNEP/FNP - Phyllis Herring
Phyllis discussed their new program OrganWise Guys program that they are teaching and promoting at Robertson Charter School. The program is set up for grades K-2 and 3-5, and each session begins with an assembly introducing the characters to the students. After this presentation, adult staff members go in and teach a lesson each month berat the school. In other news, Blanch Minor retired, and Phyllis is hiring 2 Full Time Program Assistants. Anyone interested in the position should contact the extension office. Applicants will have to fill out the job application and also test for the civil service exam.
- Horticulture/Master Gardener - Cheryl Brown
The Green Thumb Gardeners' held their Harvest Banquet this past Saturday with over 50 guests in attendance. Awards were also given at the event for different Green Thumb Gardeners'. Planning for Gardening Insights, Plant Sale, and Garden Walk are under way. The Master Gardner Volunteer Appreciation Night was held in September, and was attended by over 55 MG's and their families. Recruitment of new MG's has begun with a goal of 25 new MG's. As of today, they have received 3 responses. Master Gardeners will be working on the possibility of doing raised bed gardens at nursing homes, and are discussing what their options are for recruitment and retention of MG volunteers.
- Farm Business/Ag - Paul Mariman
The corn plot has been harvested with a number of 268 bushels per acre. Beans will hopefully be harvested later this week. The plot is the 2nd largest in the state and is a research plot for many different studies including Asian Soybean Rust, Soybean Aphid Survey, and Old World Boll Weevil. Paul is preparing for a lot of one on one consulting questions in regards to leases. Marketing Club is being expanded from Macon and Montgomery County to include Lee County.
The meeting was then adjourned at 7:20 pm.
1st Motion to Approve - Tim Dowd
2nd Motion to Approve - Karen Allen
Motion Carried
The next Extension Council Meeting is Monday, January 11, 2010 at 6:00pm.
September 14, 2009
5:30 PM - Dinner
Members Present: Karen, Allen, Cheryl Brown, Bill Buechsenschuetz, Tim Dowd, Karen Halicki, Ann Kappenman, Marie Luchetti, Brogan McKinney, Kimberly New, Diana Shipley, Mark Sturgell, Bill Voorhees
Members Not Present: Shannon Allen, Jessica Barrientos, Evan Hall, Maria Plock and Jessica Barrientos
Unit Staff Members Present: Doug Harlan, Phyllis, Amy Leman, Paul Mariman, Mindy Peterson, Jennifer Nelson
6:00 - A Call to Order - Mark Sturgell -- Chair
Welcome and Introduction - Mark Sturgell -- Everyone introduces themselves
Extension Council's Role - Doug Harlan
* Advisory Role - Each Extension Office must have a council. The Extension Council is an advisory board for the Extension Unit.
* Programming Role - Biggest role - The eyes and ears of the community. It assists in identifying areas in which the Unit can provide educational programming at will have a positive impact upon the community.
* Voting Requirements - Minutes, Budget approval and personnel matters
Election of Council Officers - Mark Sturgill
Nominations - Can not be any of the extensions staff
Motion by Karen Halicki to retain the officers
Motion Passed
Read and approve July 2009 minutes - Kimberly New
1st motion to approve - Bill Voorhees
2nd motion to approve - Tim Dowd
Fiscal Report - - Doug Harlan - We have three accounts to monitor. Trust acct. is held on campus, $780,000 annual budget (roughly), 2nd account is the in and out account - we write checks on this account . The 3rd is the revolving fund - another account for program income. The Revolving Account is where the Unit places all of its program income. Our current Trust Account balance of $387,225 is outstanding. Came from a lot of hard work.
Each account has its own fiscal year.
We are authorized to carry over 1/3 of the total Unit budget. We are over this amount in June because the moving expenses did not come out until July and August. July we received our 1st county board tax levy payment.
Revolving Account for July is good..
August - bills paid from the move in June, look way over in Equipment (non-inventory)
We are in very good financial shape in this county. Unlike many others.
Extension Board Report -- Doug Harlan . It is the 2nd federally mandated committee. Went in thinking the level of funding would be the same as the previous year. County Board members recommended the Extension Unit ask for an additional 3%. Next year the same will be asked. 2011 budget we will get right around $400.000. Not a whole lot more but every bit helps.
Proposed FY 2011 Budget -- Doug Harlan will present this at the November Council meeting.
Piatt/Macon County Joint Venture Update/Explanation for New Council members - Doug Harlan - The Piatt Co. Extension Office was about to close its door. Macon Co. was approached to help establish a link where Macon County would share its County Director and three Educators' Time. This the model that will be shared throughout the state.
The 4-H area in Piatt has improved. Two new leaders and one new club has been established. There have been improvements in all areas.
Master Gardener is a little tougher to start. But it is working.
Storage Building Update -- Doug Harlan
The slab update. The new Extension Office Building is short on storage. We poured a 24 x 24 concrete pad for an outside storage building. Richland bid out the upstairs and storage building together. The price offered was $10,000 but we may get it for nothing more than what the concrete pad cost us. There is no timeline.
Farm Progress Show Report -- Doug Harlan/Amy Leman
FPS - does not give out attendance. We sold more barbeque sandwiches in 3 days then the pork producers sold at the entire State Fair.
Grossed $115,000. About $50,000 will be profit. Thanks to all who helped. AVC ice cream - grossed about $19,000 - we get about $2,000. In past years - Nelson catering - made $110,000 and Extension received 10%. We did much better than others.
FPS - wants us to go to Boone, IA. We will be working with the exhibitors for the coupons to be redeemed only at a 4-H tent. People came up to our tent just to support 4-H. We will also be able to cater the U of I booth. FPS has asked 4-H to run two tents. It was an awesome event! Herald and Review gave us a lot of good press.
Program Updates:
*County Director Update -- Doug Harlan - none than previously stated.
*EFNEP/FNP -- Phyllis Herring -- Passed out info on the swine flu. Asked to show people how to wash hands. Marilyn Grayned -DPL taught classes. Breastfeeding Awareness month is August. Stick with your kids - did food science. Erica Nearhling an intern with U of I was a wonderful addition for a while.
*Farm Business/Ag - Paul Mariman - rent season - rent calls - impact on prices. Montgomery co. and Macon are adding Lee county and then Piatt to its Grain Marketing program. There is a lot of interest in this area.
Plot day finished with a good turn out. The most studied plot ever.
*Horticulture -- Jennifer Nelson- Tomato Tasting is one of the programs for this summer. Planted 87 different tomato plants. Actually harvested 81 different tomato varieties. Tomatoes are prone for diseases this year. So they were not very pretty. The varied tomatoes were interesting and entertaining. Green thumb and ugly tomato - was a success. 80 lbs of tomatoes were taken to food pantries. Mariah sweet corn is the best from Japan. Five years in the making this garden plot.
Master Gardeners - Cheryl Brown Starting on next years MG schedule. Plant sale - how to grow the plants and cut the costs. Master Gardeners have done the gardens around the DPL since 2000 - plant and maintain all but one garden. A very positive relationship.
. The help desk is continually maintained. Requests from all over the country.
*CED -- Mindy Peterson -- Workforce Investment Solutions Summer youth program. Regional
Neighborhood Networking Conference is September 17 -19
*4-H Youth Development -- Amy Leman - Farm Progress Show Starting the new 4-H year . Deadlines for records are September 15th.
We officially transitioned to a Macon County 4-H and Extension Foundation. It is official! Working on the foundation volunteers. Money will be for all the Extension programs. Selling cookbooks for 4-H. 4-H clover license plates are a go. Go online to support the idea of the license plates. Supports 4-H in a lot of ways. Some states are raising $50,000.
Adjournment @
1st motion to approve- Tim Dowd
2nd motion to approve - Ann Kappenman
Next Extension Council Meeting:
Monday, November 9th @ 6 PM
July 13, 2009 Minutes
5:30 PM - Dinner
Members Present: Shannon Allen, Kathleen Anderson, Mike Bartimus, Cheryl Brown, Tim Dowd, Evan Hall, Kimberly New, Diana Shipley, Fern Stinson, Mark Sturgell, and Bill Voorhees
Unit Staff Members Present: Doug Harlan, Paul Merriman, Jennifer Schultz-Nelson and Mindy Peterson
6:00 - A Call to Order
Welcome by Chairman Mark Sturgell. Everyone present introduced themselves.
March 16, 2009 Minutes - Council looked over 1st motion to approve by Evan Hall , 2nd by Mike Bartimus
May 11, 2009 Minutes - Council looked over. 1st motion to approve by Shannon Allen 2nd by Evan Hall
Fiscal Report: Doug Harlan - County Extension Director, June close out will not be posted till this Friday.
Even with the move, we are on target to have $250, 000 in carryover. We met our 10% goal for increased revenue for 2009. Staff worked to increase local revenue by $40,000. Staff has created funds by program fees, grants, and stimulus money. The hope will be to double next year. It will take a lot of work but we are confident the Staff will prevail. The main drain is the state match. The match of County Board funds by the state could be as little as 50% in FY 2010. It will need to be made up. $187,000 is significant chunk of change to make up. Without the state match it will be difficult. 4-H fees will go into the revolving account. The in and out account is like Ext. checking account. At the end of the month, money from the in and out account is transferred into the revolving account.
Piatt/Macon County Joint Venture - Doug Harlan discussed that the show in Piatt County went very well. Things are going well with the joint venture. Talk has been very positive. This model is setting the trend for other counties.
New Building Updates by Doug Harlan, We are here - much construction is still going on. Carpet is still on going. Still dealing with the contractors for both inside and out. Sink and frig and stove will be in at the end of the week. (hopefully) Window treatments will be this week (hopefully)
Concrete pad 24' X 24' is for an outside storage building - In discussion for $10,000. All steel is 90% recycled which makes it green.
Staff have been asked "Why did we move?" The answer should be - Cost savings to the unit is about $5,000 or more. Because the new building sits on college land there are no taxes. Therefore, at least $16,000 a year will be saved. The cost of utilities will be saved as well. RCC is picking up the expense of trash, water and 1st year electricity. One meter for all the space. Including the upstairs RCC space. The rent is $150,000 a year.
Farm Progress Show Update - Doug Harlan - 4-H gets 1 of 4 food booths so come out to work August 31 - September 4th.
Program Updates:
County Director Update - Doug Harlan -
Phyllis Herring: Extension Educator, EFNEP/FNP -
Jennifer Schultz - Nelson, Unit Educator, Horticulture, discussed the summer Horticulture Institute, the big move into the new building and Master Gardeners are getting 5 awards. The fourth Tomato Taste Panel will be about the time of the Farm Progress show. Come get your BLT. Kids will have a mini show.
Cheryl Brown, Program Coordinator for Masters Gardeners - discussed that the plant sale netted $3500. Working with the library. Garden walk in June - sold 600 tickets and netted about $4000. Working with God's Shelter of Love teaching them how to garden. This program seems to be a great success.
Paul Mariman, Unit Educator, Farm Business Management and Marketing discussed rent analysis. Cash rents in Piatt, acre seminar in Bethany area. A bushel of grain is down from $6 to $3. Getting lined out for the new leases. The impact for the new leases are starting. Farmers can't cover the old lease payment due to bushel prices. Conference of when the bubble breaks - Nebraska to Ohio - land values and long term economic value.
Mindy Peterson - Program Coordinator, Community and Economic Development: Mindy discussed the work force investment solutions w/ 11 kids. Computers science, landscaping, and kids village of 150 kids involved in creating and running the game. The kids come along way in learning.
Thank you to out going Council Members: Kathleen Anderson, Julie Owen, Sue Fouts, Cory Washington
Adjournment @ 7:00 to tour the new building.
1st motion to approve - Tim Dowd
2nd motion to approve - Bill Voorhees
Doug lead the tour of the new home of the University of Illinois Macon County. The move seems to have gone very well. The new building is very impressive with furniture moved into place. Large windows allow for bright rooms.
Next Extension Council Meeting:
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 6 PMMay 11, 2009
5:30 PM - Dinner
Members Present: Kathleen Anderson, Mike Bartimus, Tim Dowd, Karen Halicki, Evan Hall, Kimberly New and Mark Sturgell
Unit Staff Members Present: Doug Harlan, Phyllis Herring, Paul Merriman, Sherri Rocha, Jennifer Schultz-Nelson and Mindy Peterson
6:00 - A Call to Order
Welcome by Chairman Mark Sturgell. Everyone present introduced themselves.
March 16, 2009 minutes - Council looked over. Change needed.
Fiscal Report: Doug Harlan - County Extension Director, Second payment of the county board match was received. We are on target as far as the percentages are concerned. We may come in under budget due to all staff tightening their belts. In and Out Account is to expense out of.
4-H Program Fee Update: Doug Harlan - Flat fee of $20 will be charged per member. $6 of which goes to the state. The $14 will stay right here in this county to help with program costs. Members have received with a positive outlook.
Piatt/Macon County Joint Venture - Doug Harlan discussed the first real staff meeting. The venture began on April 16th and seems to be going better than expected. Doug will be going before the Piatt County board May 12th to discuss the budget. Piatt Counties budget year starts in December while Macon County starts in July.
Kathleen Anderson and Tim Dowd terms are ending in July. They will be missed. Evan is in question.
New Council Members are needed. Please recommend a viable person.
Program Updates:
Phyllis Herring: Extension Educator, EFNEP/FNP - Phyllis discussed the taping of five food demonstrations for the Decatur Public School District - Watch them on Channel 22.
Phyllis discussed the Pork Chop dinner on June 7th. We will start setting up at noon at the Pride of the Prairie Center. All interested helpers please sign up.
Jennifer Schultz: Nelson, Unit Educator, Horticulture, discussed the plant sale on May 2, 2009. It was a huge hit. Also a hit for HEC which sold 110 sandwiches.
Sherry Rocha - Unit Educator, Family Life - Sherry discussed the Women Taking Action conference, ideals for women to balance careers and family. Also, Ray of Hope conference and Sexuality and your young child which is a prevention conference.
Paul Mariman, Unit Educator, Farm Business Management and Marketing discussed the fact that the ground is too wet to plant. Therefore the farmers which should be at 92% are at 4% of crops planted in Illinois. This makes the farmers very grumpy. The deadline for planting is May 10th. Everyday till the 20th the cost to the farmer is 1/10th of a bushel per day per acre. After May 20th the cost is a bushel per day per acre. The reason for this, corn can not handle the frost as well as soy beans.
Mindy Peterson - Program Coordinator, Community and Economic Development: Mindy discussed the Women taking action Leadership Conference which 35 ladies participated in. Leadership through Community Action targets youths ages 14 - 24. Received a grant of $9000.
Adjournment @ 7:15 to tour the new building.
Doug lead the tour at the new home of the University of Illinois Macon County. Complete with large windows, large sky lights, large meeting rooms for all the various clubs and committees and very tall ceilings. Everyone seemed to be impressed and excited for the big move.
Next Extension Council Meeting: Monday, July 13, 2009 at 6 PM
March 16, 2009 Minutes
Macon County Extension Council
March 16, 2009 Minutes
5:30 pm - Dinner
Members Present: Shannon Allen, Kathleen Anderson, Jesssica Barrientos, Mike Bartimus, Tim Dowd, Karen Halicki, Evan Hall, Kimberly New, Julie Owens, Fern Stinson, Mark Sturgell
Unit Staff Members Present: Doug Harlan, Phyllis Herring, Amy Leman, Paul Merriman, Jennifer Schultz-Nelson,
6:00 - A Call to Order
Welcome by Chairman Mark Sturgell. Everyone present introduced themselves.
Nigel Austin: Interim Regional Director, introduced himself
January 12, 2009 minutes - Council looked over. Karen Halicki moved to approve. Fern Stinson seconded the motion. Minutes were approved.
Fiscal Report: Doug Harlan - County Extension Director, discussed FY10 - July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2009 Budget. Year has been budgeted with a state match of 75%. This creates a tight but doable year. Looking for new resources.
Utilities - New building is wind powered - which should cover the $15,000. Richland will pay for the first year. Which will determine the base line for following years.
Phones - To transfer the phones will cost $2,000 to $3,000
Nigel Austin: Interim Regional Director discussed the special needs of some counties to tighten belts and make changes to keep doors open to the community. Some county's are losing their units.
There is a need for all concerned to call upon our legislators for a dollar for dollar match from the state. State money is in jeopardy. County money is solid.
Shannon Allen moved to approve the budget. Tim Dowd seconded the motion.
Piatt/Macon County Joint Venture - Doug Harlan discussed the sharing the resources of our two counties. There will be an increase of about $46,000 to Macon Co. and Piatt Co. has the perks of talent that 10% of Doug's time, 10% of Paul Mariman, Unit Educator, 10% of Amy Leman, Unit Educator, 4-H Youth Development, 15% of Jennifer Schultz - Nelson, Unit Educator, Horticulture. Piatt saves money by not paying full monies for these positions. Also, Doug and Jennifer live in Monticello. These changes should not degrade Macon Co. programs. This model will probably be duplicated in other areas in the state. Nigel stated that we must keep Extension in every county. Nigel said his good-byes and thank-you.
Building update: Doug - Moving along nicely. Lease has been signed. Move in date is June 15, 2009. Council may have a tour at our next meeting.
4-H Program Fee Update - Amy Leman, Unit Educator, 4-H Youth Development - It has come down from the state that a fee will be charged September 1, 2009 to combat the increasing costs. There will be a family cap which has not been set as yet. Scholarships will be available. The uniform fee will be $20. $6 of which goes to the state. Fees will be charged through the club.
4-H/Extension Foundation Report - Mark Sturgell: The draft constitution is complete. 4-H Foundation has $60 - $80,000 in bank. Foundation raises about $5,000 a year. We need this to grow to cover what could be lost from the state. July 1, 2009 it should be a complete merge.
Mark also discussed Extension Partners. A political action group that gets things done for Extension. Pam Weber secured state funds when we did not believe we were going to get any funds. Please join and tell others for the interest of our Extension.
Program Planning/Online Survey - Doug discussed going online to take this survey. "What are your educational needs?" Take the survey then in about July the Extension will put together program.
Program Updates:
Doug Harlan - County Extension Director - Glad to be back - Playing catch-up
Phyllis Herring: Extension Educator, EFNEP/FNP - Newly appointed - Bean Queen - discussed the Phoenix II Teen Moms program, Charlotte Bond was asked to teach at French Academy once a month. WIC - gives out specific food packages to meet a specific need. Phyllis also demonstrated to sixth graders food science.
Sherry Rocha - Unit Educator, Family Life - absent but sent an update to look over.
Paul Mariman, Unit Educator, Farm Business Management and Marketing discussed they will be doing a plot. Also an upcoming program on pond management - algae and etc.
Jennifer Schultz - Nelson, Unit Educator, Horticulture discussed the upcoming plant sale on May 2, 2009. She also discussed the terrarium workshops made out of recycled bottles.
Mindy Peterson - Program Coordinator, Community and Economic Development absent therefore Doug spoke on her behalf. Extension was given a $500,000 grant. Mindy has stepped in and done a fabulous job with displaced worker program and job fairs.
Amy Leman, Unit Educator, 4-H Youth Development - discussed the 4-H Ambassadors day with legislators in which fellow council member and Ambassador Evan Hall was a part of and enjoyed the day.
Adjournment @ 7:25 pm Evan Hall motioned to adjourn. Mike Bartimus seconded the motion.
Next Extension Council Meeting:
Monday, May 11, 2009 at 6 pm
