Welcome

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

University of Illinois Extension, Pike County, is committed to improving the quality of life for our community members by focusing on your needs. The Pike County Extension Unit Staff, in conjunction with the Unit Council, Center and Campus based Extension staff, and 55 community partners, diligently derive, develop, and deliver programs that reach diverse audiences within the four core program areas.

The success and impact of University of Illinois Extension in Pike County is attributed to the dedication and shared vision of "Helping the citizens of Pike County put knowledge to work."

Sincerely,

Jennifer Mowen, County Extension Director

·Newsletters:

· Clover Power (4-H)
· Conservation Connections
· Consumer News
· Diabetes Life Lines
· Down To Earth (Horticulture)
· Food for Thought
· FNP (Food & Nutrition)
·The Leasing Forum/Pike County Agriculture Update
·Television features on KHQA, WGEM, and WSEC/WQEC.
·Radio programs on WBBA, WGEM, WQCY, and WUIS.
·Weekly news releases in local newspapers and special features in regional newspapers.
·Workshops and special interest programming throughout Pike County.
·31,442 internet users access educational information annually through the Pike County Extension website.
·Local Government Matters
·Nibbles
·Parenting Again
·Pike County Economic Development News
·Strengthening Families
·Working Families
·Your Health & You

3,876 participated in 4-H Youth Development programs.
3,052 took part in Agriculture & Natural Resources and Horticulture & Home Garden programs.
4,398 were impacted by Community & Economic Development activities.
2,401 gained knowledge in Nutrition,Family, & Consumer Sciences.

·Approximately $380,000 in grant receipts within Pike County and over $630,000 in pending applications. Assisted with 23 community and civic organization grant searches and preparation. Provide survey assistance for grant applications.
·14 enhanced their customer service skills.
·79 potential entrepreneurs and existing businesses benefited from business planning services.
·8 participated in MVP (Mayors & Village Presidents) Forums.
·Barry residents completed a comprehensive community planning survey.
·19 business and community leaders were educated in DCEO incentive programs.
·343 businesses and civic leaders received the bimonthly PCEDC newsletter.
·13 businesses received training in various topics such as marketing, business planning, and finance as part of the Turn on Your Business Workshop series.
·112 businesses participated in a business retention and expansion program.
·17 participated in Western Illinois Leadership Academy.
·304 local elected officials received the Local Government Matters newsletter.
·Completed Site Selection Boot Camp to develop business attraction proposals and marketing.

·250 WIC participants and over 100 food pantry clients received nutrition education.
·16 county food handlers graduated from the 15 hour Food Service Sanitation Course.
·Approximately 500 families received monthly nutrition information to improve health.
·31 childcare providers received 12 hours of continuing education credit.
·518 farmers received updated ag information by newsletter, email and personal contact.
·Farmers and landowners networked with agricultural specialists during an Ag Coffee Break in Hull.
·All county churches received quarterly fact sheets to help strengthen family relations.
·Over 300 Home and Community Education members gained knowledge in planning, recordkeeping, nutrition, and personal privacy.

·829 participated in 4-H workshops, clinics and educational events.
·165 youth enrolled in 12 4-H clubs supported by 31 club leaders.
·20 youth developed leadership and communication skills in 4-H Federation.
·15 teens gained experience in leading learning activities for 4-H members.
·274 junior high youth learned to be media savvy and make more informed choices.
·279 high school juniors shared their views and aspirations through a Youth Engagement Survey.
·12 participated in Youth Engagement discussion group.
·256 youth attended Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Day.
·Over 90 classrooms in Pike County participated in one or more Youth Development Lessons.
·All county 3^rd grade classes (176 students) participated in the seven lesson Operation Safe Kids program.
·All K-5 classrooms, nearly 1600 students, participated in four Ag in the Classroom lessons learning about agriculture and all types of agricultural commodities.
·1400 K-5^th grade students learned to make healthier food choices, physical activity, and proper hand washing.

·66 individuals became certified in safe pesticide application.
·510 households receive a monthly horticulture newsletter.
·Conservation Day activities were attended by 466 youth.
·More than 20 55-gallon drums of toxic materials were collected from 58 households for safe disposal.
·4200 used tires were collected for shredding and recycling including 500 from a single farm.
·1345 students participated in six recycling and solid waste lessons.
·Over 300 Home and Community Education members learned about butterfly gardening and seasonal flower beds.

Our programs fall within four broad based programming efforts:

·Community & Economic Development
·Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences
·4-H Youth Development
·Agriculture & Natural Resources

Jennifer Mowen, County Extension Director and Interim Community & Economic Development Educator
Kelly Pool, Youth Development/Family
Nutrition Program Educator
Cheri Myers, 4-H/Youth Community Worker
Cheryl Westfall, Secretary
Tammi Koltveit, Family Nutrition Program
Shelley Hall, Ag Literacy Program
Jane Johnson, Solid Waste Coordinator

http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/pike
Phone: 217-285-5543 · Fax: 217-285-5735