U of I Extension highlights 4‑H programming and local needs-assessment plan in Lee County update

Carla Belzer, director for the University of Illinois Extension unit that serves the area, presented a quarterly report to the Lee County Board describing education and youth-development programming, staffing changes, and upcoming needs-assessment activity.

Belzer told the board the county packet includes expanded report materials and that Lee County will be the first county in the local Extension unit to run a “hometown leaders” 4‑H program. She gave dates for a four-session program (April 10, April 17, April 24, and May 1) intended to introduce high-school youth to county government and to departmental operations. “My long term goal is I would love to see this be a regular program that we offer,” Belzer said.

Other highlights included: 18 community 4‑H clubs (six of which are special-interest clubs); a regional Horse Bowl event to be hosted locally in March with participants from about 21 counties; horticulture outreach including preschool and school gardening programs; family-life education and dementia-caregiver communication workshops conducted with the Lee County Council on Aging; and an annual childcare conference. Belzer also announced the hiring of Kathy Book as a 4‑H youth development educator who will serve Lee County.

Belzer said Extension will begin a local needs assessment and start interviews with key informants in the coming months to shape its strategic plan and program priorities. She offered to connect county officials with statewide Extension specialists for disaster-preparedness and grant resources.

Why it matters: Extension programming touches youth development, agriculture education and caregiving support in Lee County; the needs-assessment process will guide future local priorities and requests for partner involvement and funding.