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U of I Extension presents annual agreement and local programs to Richland County Board
Summary
Tara Beerster and local Extension staff briefed the board on the annual Extension agreement (a formality tied to the county levy), distributed a quarterly report, and summarized 4-H, nutrition, gardening, and fair programs. Staff alerted the board to volunteer needs and upcoming youth programs including a junior chef camp in July.
Tara Beerster, account director for the University of Illinois Extension, told the Richland County Board on March 13 that the Extension seeks the usual annual agreement signature tied to the county levy and forthcoming budget submissions. "This is just a formality that the university likes to have, when we send in our budget for the new year," Beerster said as she introduced program staff and distributed the latest quarterly report.
Beerster introduced local staff: Katie Bell, the local food and small-farms educator covering five counties; Kirby Hunt, SNAP-Ed community worker for Richland County; and Sherry Pitts, office support assistant for Richland County. Staff described recent programs including a regional economy summit, a fruit-tree and gardening series at the library, SNAP-Ed classes for schoolchildren through adults, elder produce card distributions and taste tests, a sewing workshop and a county fair schedule and planned master showmanship clinic for youth exhibitors.
Kirby Hunt described nutrition programming in schools and libraries and announced a Junior Chef summer program for ages 8 to 13 scheduled July 7–11 at a local church. Sherry Pitts reported 265 active 4-H members in the county (including 40 Cloverbuds ages 5 to 7), 47 new members this year, 10 clubs and 26 leaders, and local fair planning updates.
Board members thanked Extension staff, discussed volunteer and staffing needs, and raised opportunities for Extension support in county broadband outreach and community events. Extension staff offered to provide additional printed materials and follow up on inquiries about open positions and parent support for forms.
Next steps: Extension staff will provide any requested additional materials and work with board staff on volunteer and outreach coordination.
