Welcome toUniversity of Illinois Extension Monroe

County

Monroe CountyMonroe County

Population: 31,876Population: 31,876ApproximatelyApproximately

Adults (21 years & older): 21,000 Adults (21 years & older): 21,000 (+/-)(+/-)

Youth (under 21 years): 9,000 Youth (under 21 years): 9,000 (+/-)(+/-)

RaceRaceWhiteWhite 98 % 98 %All OtherAll Other 2 % 2 %

Median AgeMedian Age 37.5 years 37.5 years

2006 Estimated2006 Estimated

Monroe County Courthouse

Monroe County Bluffs

Jefferson Barracks Bridge

Local Festivals

WorkforceWorkforce The majority of the county workforce drive The majority of the county workforce drive

between 20-40 miles to their work place.between 20-40 miles to their work place. 87% 87% individuals age 25 & older have individuals age 25 & older have

a high a high school or higher degreeschool or higher degree 20% 20% individuals age 25 & older have individuals age 25 & older have

a a Bachelor’s degree or higherBachelor’s degree or higher 70% 70% population 16 years & older are population 16 years & older are

in in workforceworkforce

Major County EmployersMajor County Employers School DistrictsSchool Districts Oak Hill Nursing Care FacilityOak Hill Nursing Care Facility Gateway FSGateway FS Harrisonville Telephone CompanyHarrisonville Telephone Company Budnick Converting, Inc.Budnick Converting, Inc. Philip Environmental ServicesPhilip Environmental Services Luhr Brothers, Inc.Luhr Brothers, Inc. MAR Business FormsMAR Business Forms

Business GrowthBusiness Growth YMCA built a facility between Columbia & Waterloo. YMCA built a facility between Columbia & Waterloo.

Opened January 2006Opened January 2006

St. Elizabeth Medical Building also between St. Elizabeth Medical Building also between Columbia & Waterloo. Opened September 2006Columbia & Waterloo. Opened September 2006

Unique business in the county: Rock City Business Unique business in the county: Rock City Business Complex- 6 million square foot commercial cold Complex- 6 million square foot commercial cold storage facility in the converted caverns of the storage facility in the converted caverns of the limestone bluffs at Valmeyer. In December, U. S. Rep. limestone bluffs at Valmeyer. In December, U. S. Rep. Jerry Costello announced that the U.S. government Jerry Costello announced that the U.S. government will lease a 400,000 square section to house National will lease a 400,000 square section to house National Archives and Records such as treasury checks, postal Archives and Records such as treasury checks, postal money and military and Internal Revenue Service money and military and Internal Revenue Service records. Other businesses (Target, Nestle, Schwan’s) records. Other businesses (Target, Nestle, Schwan’s) rent space for cold food storage.rent space for cold food storage.

County Agriculture ProductionCounty Agriculture Production(2004)(2004)

531 farms531 farms Average age of principle Average age of principle

farm operator 54.5 yearsfarm operator 54.5 years

177,430 acres in 177,430 acres in farmland make up 71% farmland make up 71% of county acreageof county acreage

Major crops produced: wheat, soybeans, corn

Livestock: hogs, cattle, sheep

(source: IL Agricultural Statistics 2006)

Senior PopulationSenior Population Age 65 & older approximately 14 %Age 65 & older approximately 14 % Columbia & Waterloo seniors have Columbia & Waterloo seniors have

access to nutrition sitesaccess to nutrition sites Columbia, Waterloo & Valmeyer seniors Columbia, Waterloo & Valmeyer seniors

are involved in senior citizen clubsare involved in senior citizen clubs Extension educational programs have Extension educational programs have

been conducted at all of the sitesbeen conducted at all of the sites

Marketing EffortsMarketing Efforts Regular visits with County Board of CommissionersRegular visits with County Board of Commissioners Program information sent to State legislatorsProgram information sent to State legislators Post all programs on the county websitePost all programs on the county website Flyers distributed to businesses & libraries for Flyers distributed to businesses & libraries for

pick-uppick-up Newspaper ad & articlesNewspaper ad & articles Program flyers sent to targeted mailing listsProgram flyers sent to targeted mailing lists Articles & ads posted in the Farm Bureau Articles & ads posted in the Farm Bureau

monthly newspapermonthly newspaper

Outdoor marqueeOutdoor marquee 4-H bags with information distributed during 4-H bags with information distributed during

community paradescommunity parades Program information included on Agriculture Program information included on Agriculture

Week placemat. Week placemat. - Joint promotion with Farm Bureau, local livestock Joint promotion with Farm Bureau, local livestock

groups, agriculture businesses & agencies.groups, agriculture businesses & agencies.

Marketing ...Marketing ...

Information booth at Senior JubileeInformation booth at Senior Jubilee Urban website bookmarks along with educational Urban website bookmarks along with educational

booklets distributed to 5booklets distributed to 5thth grade students from grade students from January – April leading up to Conservation Days.January – April leading up to Conservation Days.

4-H Rally & 4-H club activities at community events4-H Rally & 4-H club activities at community events 4-H Youth Development program flyers distributed 4-H Youth Development program flyers distributed

through schoolsthrough schools Created county website bookmarks & include it in Created county website bookmarks & include it in

mailingsmailings

Marketing...Marketing...

Newsletters:Newsletters:- 4-H Club members4-H Club members- 4-H Club leaders4-H Club leaders- Master GardenersMaster Gardeners

Ag Quarterly distributed at programs & Ag Quarterly distributed at programs & delivered to agriculture businesses for pick-updelivered to agriculture businesses for pick-up

Educational materials displayed at County FairEducational materials displayed at County Fair 4-H Club displays/banner at County Fair4-H Club displays/banner at County Fair

Marketing...Marketing...

4-H Week window displays by 4-H clubs4-H Week window displays by 4-H clubs E-mail notification to all 4-H families when E-mail notification to all 4-H families when

4-H newsletter is posted on-line4-H newsletter is posted on-line Educational program information included in Educational program information included in

4-H Foundation/Alumni newsletter & the 4-H Foundation/Alumni newsletter & the Monroe County Home & Community Monroe County Home & Community Education newsletterEducation newsletter

Marketing...Marketing...

4-H Youth Development

Municipalities & Municipalities & PopulationsPopulations

*A growing number of families are choosing to home school their children.

Youth DemographicsYouth Demographics 22.6% of Monroe County’s 22.6% of Monroe County’s

population, 6,247 youth, is population, 6,247 youth, is between the ages of 5 & 19.between the ages of 5 & 19.

The median income for The median income for families is $62,397.families is $62,397.

3.4% of the population is 3.4% of the population is below the poverty level, below the poverty level, which includes 2.8% under which includes 2.8% under the age of 18.the age of 18.

Monroe County youth and Monroe County youth and families have easy access to families have easy access to attractions, goods and attractions, goods and services in the St. Louis services in the St. Louis Metro Area.Metro Area.

Many adults commute to Many adults commute to jobs in St. Louisjobs in St. Louis

Access SystemsAccess Systems

Community Based 4-H ClubsCommunity Based 4-H Clubs Community Based Cloverbud GroupsCommunity Based Cloverbud Groups County Based Cloverbud GroupCounty Based Cloverbud Group County Based 4-H FederationCounty Based 4-H Federation County Based 4-H AmbassadorsCounty Based 4-H Ambassadors 4-H Special Interest Groups4-H Special Interest Groups Short Term 4-H GroupsShort Term 4-H Groups

Plan of Work & Mission MandatesPlan of Work & Mission Mandates In early 2007, National 4-H Council announced In early 2007, National 4-H Council announced

three mission mandates, or focus areas for 4-three mission mandates, or focus areas for 4-H programming over the next five years;H programming over the next five years;

Science, Engineering & TechnologyScience, Engineering & TechnologyHealthy LivingHealthy LivingCitizenshipCitizenship

These mission mandates have been These mission mandates have been incorporated into the unit plan of work as they incorporated into the unit plan of work as they supported many of the youth programs supported many of the youth programs already outlined in the plan of work.already outlined in the plan of work.

Community Based 4-H ClubsCommunity Based 4-H Clubs 14 Community Clubs serving 233 youth; 14 Community Clubs serving 233 youth; 37 adult volunteers provide leadership for this 37 adult volunteers provide leadership for this

portion of the programportion of the program

Science, Engineering, & TechnologyScience, Engineering, & TechnologyScience based 4-H projectsScience based 4-H projectsSpecial emphasis on Animal Science; more than Special emphasis on Animal Science; more than half of members are enrolled in half of members are enrolled in

animal projectsanimal projectsHealthy LivingHealthy Living

Food & Nutrition based 4-H ProjectsFood & Nutrition based 4-H ProjectsHealth based 4-H projectsHealth based 4-H projects

CitizenshipCitizenshipCitizenship based 4-H projectsCitizenship based 4-H projectsCommunity service projects carried out by a most Community service projects carried out by a most community clubs community clubs

Community Based 4-H ClubsCommunity Based 4-H Clubs

Special emphasis on Animal Special emphasis on Animal ScienceScience

Beef premiere program since 1984Beef premiere program since 1984 Lamb premiere program since 1997Lamb premiere program since 1997 Beef & Lamb Carcass EvaluationBeef & Lamb Carcass Evaluation Local Superior Young Producer Contests Local Superior Young Producer Contests

which include Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Rabbit which include Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Rabbit

Animal Science ActivitiesAnimal Science Activities

Community Based & County Cloverbud Community Based & County Cloverbud GroupsGroups 5 Community based Cloverbud Groups and 1 5 Community based Cloverbud Groups and 1

County Cloverbud Group serving approximately County Cloverbud Group serving approximately 24 youth24 youth

Cloverbud curriculum segments follow mission Cloverbud curriculum segments follow mission mandatesmandates

Science, Engineering, and TechnologyScience, Engineering, and TechnologyOur Feathered Friends, The Science of Sound, Our Feathered Friends, The Science of Sound, Making Air WorkMaking Air Work

Healthy LivingHealthy LivingMaking Healthy Food ChoicesMaking Healthy Food ChoicesHealthy Snack preparation is a part of Healthy Snack preparation is a part of each meetingeach meeting

CitizenshipCitizenshipReduce, Reuse, RecycleReduce, Reuse, RecycleCommunity Service Opportunities are Community Service Opportunities are

incorporated when incorporated when possiblepossible

Cloverbud Cloverbud ActivitiesActivities

County Based 4-H County Based 4-H Federation Federation & 4-H Ambassadors& 4-H Ambassadors

Monroe County 4-H Federation is made up of high Monroe County 4-H Federation is made up of high school and college age 4-H members.school and college age 4-H members.

Currently 26 membersCurrently 26 members 4 adult volunteers provide leadership4 adult volunteers provide leadership Federation members may choose to serve as county 4-Federation members may choose to serve as county 4-

H Ambassadors after one year of membershipH Ambassadors after one year of membershipScience, Engineering, and TechnologyScience, Engineering, and TechnologyMembers provide leadership for Robotics Workshops,Members provide leadership for Robotics Workshops, Animal Science Animal Science Workshops, and Livestock events Workshops, and Livestock events CitizenshipCitizenshipMembers provide leadership for activities and events for Members provide leadership for activities and events for younger 4-H members; Officer’s Training, Craft Day, etc.younger 4-H members; Officer’s Training, Craft Day, etc.Ambassadors make appearances on behalf of 4-HAmbassadors make appearances on behalf of 4-HAmbassadors preside over county eventsAmbassadors preside over county eventsPiloted Leadership CurriculumPiloted Leadership Curriculum

Federation Federation Members & Members & County County AmbassadorsAmbassadors

4-H Short Term & Special Interest 4-H Short Term & Special Interest GroupsGroups

More than 800 county youth accessed the 4-H youth More than 800 county youth accessed the 4-H youth development program through short term and special interest development program through short term and special interest groups.groups.Science, Engineering, & TechnologyScience, Engineering, & TechnologyOutdoor Education & Environmental Stewardship with Conservation Days Outdoor Education & Environmental Stewardship with Conservation Days Field Trips – 490 Youth & AdultsField Trips – 490 Youth & AdultsRobotics Workshop – 18 Youth & AdultsRobotics Workshop – 18 Youth & AdultsGIS/GPS Workshop – 9 Youth & AdultsGIS/GPS Workshop – 9 Youth & AdultsGIS/GPS Camp – 4 YouthGIS/GPS Camp – 4 YouthJunior Master Gardener Camp – 5 YouthJunior Master Gardener Camp – 5 YouthMonroe County 4-H GIS ClubMonroe County 4-H GIS ClubHealthy LivingHealthy LivingYouth Cooking School – 205 YouthYouth Cooking School – 205 YouthFamily Fitness Activities – 2 Activities – 60 Youth & AdultsFamily Fitness Activities – 2 Activities – 60 Youth & AdultsBabysitter Workshop – 19 YouthBabysitter Workshop – 19 YouthCitizenshipCitizenshipPlans are underway to map and identify trees at County CourthousePlans are underway to map and identify trees at County CourthousePlans are underway to work with local EMA to map locations such as schools, Plans are underway to work with local EMA to map locations such as schools, shelters, railroad crossings, etc., that would be helpful to the agency and general shelters, railroad crossings, etc., that would be helpful to the agency and general public.public.

Short Term & Special Interest Group Short Term & Special Interest Group ActivitiesActivities

Conservation Day Outdoor Education Field Trip

Robotics WorkshopBabysitter Workshop

4-H & Friends Holiday Craft Day

Youth Cooking SchoolYouth Cooking School Week long sessions Week long sessions

conducted each conducted each summer for 10 summer for 10 years with morning years with morning and afternoon and afternoon sessions each day. sessions each day. Program serves Program serves youth in the youth in the communities of communities of Columbia, Waterloo Columbia, Waterloo & Valmeyer. & Valmeyer.

The program serves The program serves 200 participants 200 participants annuallyannually

Promote and provide staff support these multi-Promote and provide staff support these multi-county, regional, and state 4-H youth development county, regional, and state 4-H youth development programs;programs; Southern Illinois 4-H Camp*Southern Illinois 4-H Camp* Southern Illinois Junior High Camp*Southern Illinois Junior High Camp* 4-H Discover Chicago*4-H Discover Chicago* Legislative Connection*Legislative Connection* Southern Region Hippology Contest*Southern Region Hippology Contest* Regional Horse Judging & Hippology Contest*Regional Horse Judging & Hippology Contest* Illinois 4-H Leadership Convention*Illinois 4-H Leadership Convention* Junior High Leadership ConferenceJunior High Leadership Conference Regional Leader Forums*Regional Leader Forums* Southern Illinois Livestock Judging Contest – SIUCSouthern Illinois Livestock Judging Contest – SIUC State Judging ContestsState Judging Contests Illinois State Fair*Illinois State Fair*

*indicates Monroe County staff supported events*indicates Monroe County staff supported events

Program EvaluationProgram Evaluation New 4-H ClubsNew 4-H Clubs Increased EnrollmentIncreased Enrollment Increased show percentageIncreased show percentage Youth submit award applications, a high percentage of youth Youth submit award applications, a high percentage of youth

are eligible for County Award of Excellenceare eligible for County Award of Excellence Increased number of adult volunteersIncreased number of adult volunteers Increased attendance at 4-H Club Leader updatesIncreased attendance at 4-H Club Leader updates Schools contribute maps to Community AtlasSchools contribute maps to Community Atlas Successful GIS Day & Completed Community Atlas (ESRI Successful GIS Day & Completed Community Atlas (ESRI

Grant Requirements)Grant Requirements) Youth Cooking School Family Surveys indicate positive Youth Cooking School Family Surveys indicate positive

impact of program (Illinois 4-H Foundation Program Grant)impact of program (Illinois 4-H Foundation Program Grant) 4-H Community Club and Youth Cooking School Families 4-H Community Club and Youth Cooking School Families

attend family fitness events.attend family fitness events.

Agriculture, Horticulture & Natural Resources

Agriculture

Livestock• Beef Seminar• Beef Showmanship Workshop

(with Monroe County Cattleman’s Association)• Swine Seminars (with Monroe County Pork Producers)• Shepherd’s Clinic• Sheep Festival-with judging event for youth

(with Monroe County Sheep Producers)• Q&A

– i.e. animal diseases, feed, etc.• in office research, work with Waterloo Animal Hospital and Extension

Educators

Beef

Seminar

Swine Seminar

Agribusiness• Ag Computer Training (with Farm Bureau)

• Putting Small Acreages to Work Program (with Madison/St. Clair, Bond & Clinton Counties)

• Women in Ag Programs• Ag Roundtable (with Farm Bureau & other agencies)

• Sale of farm record books • Q&A

– i.e. leases, cash rent, custom machinery rates, pasture rental rates, computer programs, starting “small, specialty or organic farms”, etc.

• in office research (Farmdoc website) or work with Extension Educators

• Agri-Tourism & Small Acreage Seminars

• Agriculture economics discussion at most agriculture programs

• Routinely refer producers to the Farmdoc website

• Host site to Illinois Department of Agriculture Commodity Elections

Agronomy• Agronomy Day (with Farm Bureau)

• Alfalfa & Forage Workshops• Pesticide Safety Education Program • Weed identification-done in office with

reference materials or with use of Digital Diagnostics System

• Q&A– i.e hay & pasture establishment, effects of weather on crops, etc.

• in office research or work with Extension Educators

Agriculture Legislative Update• Presentations by:

– IL. Dept. of Agriculture Director, Chuck Hartke– IL. State Representative, Dan Reitz– IL. Farm Bureau Vice President, Richard Guebert– IL. Dept. of Agri. Bureau of Animal Health & Welfare, Jim Kunkle– Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders– The Land Conservancy

Co-sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, Southwestern Illinois College, Red Bud campus and local agencies

Horticulture

Master Gardeners• 37 current certified Master Gardeners.• Answer approximately 120 phone call/walk in questions about

garden related questions. Often refer customers to “hortanswers” website.-i.e plant/tree id, insect id, soil test interpretations, plant, tree & lawn care, etc.

• Maintain Ornamental Grass Plot and surrounding landscape.• Assist with horticulture entries/judging at Monroe County

Fair. • Promote the MG program & horticulture events at the “Senior

Jubilee”-an event put on by Oak Hill-Monroe County’s Assisted Living Center.

• Landscape at the Monroe County Courthouse.

Sharing Gardening Advice

Landscape construction & maintenance

Monroe County Annex

Monroe County Courthouse

Monroe County Garden Tour• Garden host sites are at various locations in Monroe

County.• Sites are visited by approximately 200 people on the

2nd Saturday in June. • This event is held annually-we are coming upon the

5th year of the tour in 2008. • Planning and working assistance is done by the

Master Gardeners and local garden clubs.• Sites are mapped using GPS & GIS technology.

Garden

Tour

Sites

Educational Events

• Ornamental Trees & Shrubs Program • 4 Seasons Home Horticulture Telenets • Nursery Tour-Held in April 2007 at Cowell’s

Nursery, a new nursery at the south end of Monroe County. Over 60 people attended to hear Dave Robson speak about the characteristics of various plants.

Cowell’s Nursery

Junior Master Gardeners• Started in Monroe County in June 2007.• Offered to 3rd-6th grade students.• 5 starting participants.• A “Learning Garden” will be planted this year to attract more

participants and help with the educational aspect of the program. Several grants have been applied for to aid in the construction of this project:-IDNR Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant √-National Gardening Association/Home Depot Grant-Fiscar’s Orange Thumb Grant-Mantis Grant

• The garden will be for use by this group as well as the adult Master Gardeners.

Jr. Master Gardener

Camp

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

55thth Grade Conservation Days Grade Conservation Days• Held annually for the past 10 years in conjunction with the Monroe County Held annually for the past 10 years in conjunction with the Monroe County

Farm Bureau and Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District. Farm Bureau and Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District.

• This event has taken place at the Waterloo Sportsman’s Club for all 10 years-This event has taken place at the Waterloo Sportsman’s Club for all 10 years-we have a good working relationship with them.we have a good working relationship with them.

• 100% participation by all Monroe County schools.100% participation by all Monroe County schools.

• Recycling grant through Bi-County Health Department & a donation from Recycling grant through Bi-County Health Department & a donation from the local sanitation company partially covered supplies.the local sanitation company partially covered supplies.

• Presenters from organizations such as:Presenters from organizations such as:Natural Resources Conservation Service, Monroe County Mapping & Platting, Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service, Monroe County Mapping & Platting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Illinois Natural History Department of Natural Resources, Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, University of Illinois Extension.Survey, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, University of Illinois Extension.

• We are tapping into new resources this year-i.e. local people such as retired We are tapping into new resources this year-i.e. local people such as retired teachers, high school FFA students, Master Gardeners…teachers, high school FFA students, Master Gardeners…

Monroe County Conservation Days

Educational EventsEducational Events

• Farm Conservation TelenetFarm Conservation Telenet• Natural Resources TelenetsNatural Resources Telenets• Ag Drainage Law TelenetAg Drainage Law Telenet• Farm & Woodland Assessment ProgramFarm & Woodland Assessment Program• Q&AQ&A

– i.e. where to find tree seedlings, pond maintenance, food plots, forestry i.e. where to find tree seedlings, pond maintenance, food plots, forestry management plans, native plants, sinkholes, erosion control, wind management plans, native plants, sinkholes, erosion control, wind power, etc.power, etc.

• In office research, work with Extension Educators, NRCS/SWCD, In office research, work with Extension Educators, NRCS/SWCD, IDNR & Gateway FSIDNR & Gateway FS

NetworkingNetworking• Partner with Farm Bureau, NRCS/SWCD, Gateway FS & IDNR to Partner with Farm Bureau, NRCS/SWCD, Gateway FS & IDNR to

address issues such as urban development in rural areas, karst issues, address issues such as urban development in rural areas, karst issues, pond maintenance, etc.pond maintenance, etc.

• Kelly serves as an appointed representative of the Kelly serves as an appointed representative of the Southern Regional Southern Regional Groundwater Protection & Planning CommitteeGroundwater Protection & Planning Committee which serves which serves Madison, St. Clair, Monroe & Randolph Counties . Other Madison, St. Clair, Monroe & Randolph Counties . Other representatives include individuals from county Health Departments, representatives include individuals from county Health Departments, IEPA, IDOA, U of I Extension, Gateway FS, various water companies, IEPA, IDOA, U of I Extension, Gateway FS, various water companies, etc. etc.

-Address issues such as groundwater protection & karst -Address issues such as groundwater protection & karst education; hold bi-annual well water screening for education; hold bi-annual well water screening for pesticides and pesticides and hold annual educational field days/conferences for the public.hold annual educational field days/conferences for the public.

Promote all Regional Programs such as:

• Certified Livestock Manager Training• Beef Cattle Co-Products• Dairy Days• Farm Economic Summit• Crop Management Conference• Grain Fumigant Training• Corn & Soybean Classic• Winter Wheat Forum

• Vegetable School• Small Fruit & Strawberry School• Grape Production Workshops• Tree Fruit School• Gateway Green Industry Conference• Soil & Water Management Workshop

Regional Program Promotion continued…

Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences

Educational Programs Nutrition Update Series

for Dieticians Eating Well with

Diabetes Series & Reunion

Understanding Food Labels & Portion Size program- Joint program with Red

Bud Regional Hospital

Food Handlers Refresher Course Extension educators teach a local course every 6 months BI-County Health Department staff assist with promotion

Lessons for Living taught by Extension Educators & Volunteers: Retirement Realities Schemes & Scams Food & Fitness Body Smart Gardening Forgiveness: Important Gift Ground Covers

Pressure canner gauge testing & food preservation information

Nutrition materials provided to school teachers

Food safety question/information provided to clientele

Provide materials to child care centers Collaborate with Children’s Home & Aid to

provide training sessions for child care providers

Community & Economic Development

Network with the Monroe County Economic Development Committee Assisted with the Economic Development Forum

Community Leaders Breakfast Currently in discussion regarding County

Economic Development Educator position County Board participates in Government Telenets

University of Illinois

Mission Statement

To enable people to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships that put knowledge to work

Thank You!