University of Illinois Extension
McLean County Unit
Annual Report 2003
Welcome
In this section...
Weathering the Winds of Change - Establishing Connections
Each year our world seems to be changing more rapidly than ever. In the world of Extension, we work to meet the challenges of adapting to new needs, while continuing to honor and preserve the heritage that has sustained the people, the land and the cities of our nation.
Extension can be compared to a series of interlocking circles. Within each sphere of interest, there are distinct elements, to be sure. But at the point where one circle overlaps with another, there are combinations of both circles. The result is a stronger link for all parts of each circle-and a broader influence for the whole group, as well as for the individual.
We are proud to serve as a conduit for information and programs that enable McLean County residents in both urban and rural areas to connect with information, ideas, and each other. During our 2003 program year (September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003), our Unit had the opportunity to interact with more people than ever before, and to enhance the scope of our educational programs in all areas. Here in McLean County, we continue to interconnect with many other agencies, organizations and individuals; but as our circles grow ever wider, we remain committed to the pursuit of our mission of helping people of all ages and backgrounds put knowledge to work!
Extension Brings People Together
Extension programs have played a major role in serving 100 at-risk youth and their families through activities offered at a new community center that opened in a neighborhood troubled by gangs.
At the 4-H Fair, more than 350 children, 80 adults and 2 families had an opportunity to view the work of the 4-H members. Fifteen 4-H members volunteered to be tour guides, leading the groups through the 11,000 exhibits including models, computers, crops, clothing, foods and all livestock barns.
Thanks to collaboration with two local school districts, Extension hosted a Back To School Party for 508 homeless and low-income families. The event helped ensure that students had immunizations and physicals as well as documentation so they would be ready to attend their first day of school.
A group of 13 Master Gardeners networked with McLean County agencies that serve high-risk youth to create a pilot summer program that allowed 46 urban youth to plan, plant, maintain and harvest three demonstration gardens.
Extension Encourages Leadership and Community Involvement
A University of Illinois Extension Economic Development Educator collaborated with other professionals in the field to help 3,500 residents develop and adapt a 5-year strategic plan for their rural community's future.
A day-long workshop featuring presentations from power suppliers, University engineers, and USDA researchers allowed 73 participants to determine the feasibility of wind power as a business investment opportunity for their farms.
The 30 members of the Leadership McLean County class expanded their personal and professional leadership experiences through participation in twelve day long classes. Extension provided staff for committee leadership with session planning, alumni involvement, steering committee representation, and provided day-long facilitation for each of the classes.
Extension Helps Residents Improve Their Quality of Life
Spanish-speaking residents of McLean County benefited from Extension resources explaining the basics of food budgeting, nutrition and a variety of wellness issues via 282 monthly bilingual newsletters provided to organizations serving Spanish-speaking families.
More than 1,100 young people gained experience by learning about the arts, aerospace, agriculture, family and consumer information, and many other subject areas through 4-H. They demonstrated their acquired skills in these areas through numerous public speaking engagements, public presentations and community service activities throughout the year.
Our 86 Master Gardeners and Interns volunteered 4,203 hours answering hotline calls about horticultural questions, teaching workshops, and assisting with demonstration gardens in McLean County.
Life Skills Programs assisted 277 homeless and subsidized housing residents to increase their skills in time management, self-esteem, overcoming obstacles and barriers, conflict management, setting goals, and job readiness this year. Youth development programs provided a variety of supports, positive relationships with peers and adults, and opportunities for growth and development in a structured environment.
Extension Helps People Learn About Health and Safety Issues
A local drive-through Household Hazardous Waste Collection diverted 13,420 gallons of hazardous materials from McLean County's waste stream this year. More than a thousand citizens deposited household hazardous waste materials during the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency event sponsored in partnership with the Ecology Action Center and our program.
Pesticide application safety education was provided to 427 farmers.
Last year Extension utilized University research to provide answers to more than 400 consumer questions on food safety. We also fielded more than 350 additional questions about food preparation and nutrition information.
In cooperation with volunteers from McLean County Home Community Education Association, 16 community volunteers attended a workshop designed to prepare them to teach others about "Medical Privacy, Your Rights and Responsibilities." The volunteers then extended the information to an additional 250 McLean County residents.
Training in current EPA regulations, environmentally accepted nutrient application methods and rates, and engineering designs for waste handling was provided to 77 commercial livestock managers at a University of Illinois Certified Livestock Manager workshop in Bloomington.
Extension Helps All of us Prepare for the Future
Extension-sponsored school and community programs allowed 5,124 students, teachers and other adults to expand their understanding of the global impact of American agriculture.
Third grade teachers from McLean County schools participated in a field trip in June to discover the interrelationships between agriculture, history, geography and geology. The bus and walking tour of historic sites and a working farm gave the teachers information to supplement their district's social studies curriculum. These teachers were among 221 McLean County educators who enriched their classroom curricula with programs sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension.
All schools in McLean County now have access to an online career interest inventory and online portfolio to prepare for post secondary education and the world of work, thanks to a joint effort between the Regional Office of Education, the local vocational center, the McLean County Community Compact, and a software company.
Through a series of Junior Chef classes, 663 youth demonstrated they could prepare healthy snacks, experience new foods, practice proper food and kitchen safety habits, and demonstrate table manners.
Extension can be compared to a series of interlocking circles. Within each sphere of interest, there are distinct elements, to be sure. But at the point where one circle overlaps with another, there are combinations of both circles. The result is a stronger link for all parts of each circle-and a broader influence for the whole group, as well as for the individual.
We are proud to serve as a conduit for information and programs that enable McLean County residents in both urban and rural areas to connect with information, ideas, and each other. During our 2003 program year (September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003), our Unit had the opportunity to interact with more people than ever before, and to enhance the scope of our educational programs in all areas. Here in McLean County, we continue to interconnect with many other agencies, organizations and individuals; but as our circles grow ever wider, we remain committed to the pursuit of our mission of helping people of all ages and backgrounds put knowledge to work!
Extension Brings People Together
Extension programs have played a major role in serving 100 at-risk youth and their families through activities offered at a new community center that opened in a neighborhood troubled by gangs.
At the 4-H Fair, more than 350 children, 80 adults and 2 families had an opportunity to view the work of the 4-H members. Fifteen 4-H members volunteered to be tour guides, leading the groups through the 11,000 exhibits including models, computers, crops, clothing, foods and all livestock barns.
Thanks to collaboration with two local school districts, Extension hosted a Back To School Party for 508 homeless and low-income families. The event helped ensure that students had immunizations and physicals as well as documentation so they would be ready to attend their first day of school.
A group of 13 Master Gardeners networked with McLean County agencies that serve high-risk youth to create a pilot summer program that allowed 46 urban youth to plan, plant, maintain and harvest three demonstration gardens.
Extension Encourages Leadership and Community Involvement
A University of Illinois Extension Economic Development Educator collaborated with other professionals in the field to help 3,500 residents develop and adapt a 5-year strategic plan for their rural community's future.
A day-long workshop featuring presentations from power suppliers, University engineers, and USDA researchers allowed 73 participants to determine the feasibility of wind power as a business investment opportunity for their farms.
The 30 members of the Leadership McLean County class expanded their personal and professional leadership experiences through participation in twelve day long classes. Extension provided staff for committee leadership with session planning, alumni involvement, steering committee representation, and provided day-long facilitation for each of the classes.
Extension Helps Residents Improve Their Quality of Life
Spanish-speaking residents of McLean County benefited from Extension resources explaining the basics of food budgeting, nutrition and a variety of wellness issues via 282 monthly bilingual newsletters provided to organizations serving Spanish-speaking families.
More than 1,100 young people gained experience by learning about the arts, aerospace, agriculture, family and consumer information, and many other subject areas through 4-H. They demonstrated their acquired skills in these areas through numerous public speaking engagements, public presentations and community service activities throughout the year.
Our 86 Master Gardeners and Interns volunteered 4,203 hours answering hotline calls about horticultural questions, teaching workshops, and assisting with demonstration gardens in McLean County.
Life Skills Programs assisted 277 homeless and subsidized housing residents to increase their skills in time management, self-esteem, overcoming obstacles and barriers, conflict management, setting goals, and job readiness this year. Youth development programs provided a variety of supports, positive relationships with peers and adults, and opportunities for growth and development in a structured environment.
Extension Helps People Learn About Health and Safety Issues
A local drive-through Household Hazardous Waste Collection diverted 13,420 gallons of hazardous materials from McLean County's waste stream this year. More than a thousand citizens deposited household hazardous waste materials during the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency event sponsored in partnership with the Ecology Action Center and our program.
Pesticide application safety education was provided to 427 farmers.
Last year Extension utilized University research to provide answers to more than 400 consumer questions on food safety. We also fielded more than 350 additional questions about food preparation and nutrition information.
In cooperation with volunteers from McLean County Home Community Education Association, 16 community volunteers attended a workshop designed to prepare them to teach others about "Medical Privacy, Your Rights and Responsibilities." The volunteers then extended the information to an additional 250 McLean County residents.
Training in current EPA regulations, environmentally accepted nutrient application methods and rates, and engineering designs for waste handling was provided to 77 commercial livestock managers at a University of Illinois Certified Livestock Manager workshop in Bloomington.
Extension Helps All of us Prepare for the Future
Extension-sponsored school and community programs allowed 5,124 students, teachers and other adults to expand their understanding of the global impact of American agriculture.
Third grade teachers from McLean County schools participated in a field trip in June to discover the interrelationships between agriculture, history, geography and geology. The bus and walking tour of historic sites and a working farm gave the teachers information to supplement their district's social studies curriculum. These teachers were among 221 McLean County educators who enriched their classroom curricula with programs sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension.
All schools in McLean County now have access to an online career interest inventory and online portfolio to prepare for post secondary education and the world of work, thanks to a joint effort between the Regional Office of Education, the local vocational center, the McLean County Community Compact, and a software company.
Through a series of Junior Chef classes, 663 youth demonstrated they could prepare healthy snacks, experience new foods, practice proper food and kitchen safety habits, and demonstrate table manners.
How We Do It
- Provide information updates through weekly news columns:
- "The Ag Schoolroom" in The Normalite.
- "In the Kitchen" in the Twin City Community News.
- Weekly Extension news programs and "What's Playing at Extension" interviews on WJBC.
- Share the Extension monthly newsletter with 5,600 McLean County households.
- Respond to individual inquiries from more than 6,000 residents annually.
- Collaborate on programs with more than 120 businesses, social service agencies and schools.
- Utilize more than 1,500 trained volunteers and special interest programs.
- Receive 17,000 hits per month (in addition to providing online registration for programs) on our educational website www.mcleanextension.org, which is accessible 24 hours a day.
Extension Council 2002-2003
- Dan Brady
- John Clary
- Larry Finck
- Mariellen Griffith
- Becky Hines
- Jerry Kerber
- Tammy Kimmel
- Randy Mattoon
- Kathryn McNeely
- Robert Miller
- Jorge Ovalle
- Jim Rafferty
- Brian Schaumburg
- Jill Scholl
- Linda Smith
- Pat Turner
- Brad Vissering
- Katie Walters
- Vicki Waterson
- Pam Womack
