Denise Kistner began her position as University of Illinois Extension Multi-County Director for the Unit comprised of Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties on November 1. She had previously served for 13 years as County Director in Montgomery County, and 12 years in Christian County as Youth Development Educator.
The new four-county partnership is one of 26 multi-county Units that were established in a statewide reorganization of U of I Extension programs, according to Robert Hoeft, Interim Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach on the Urbana campus. Although a shortfall in state funding prompted the move to multi-county Units, Hoeft says the goal of the reorganization is to ensure that high-quality Extension programs remain available, close to home.
Extension Educators recently named to serve Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties include: Peggy Hampton, 4-H Youth; Amanda Cole, Community Development; and Gary Letterly, Environmental and Energy Stewardship. An educator in Nutrition and Wellness and a Horticulture Educator are in the process of being hired. Local staff will continue to serve the 4-H, SNAP-Ed nutrition program and Master Gardener program areas. Counties will begin to function in the 4-county unit on July 1.
For more information about how to find your local Extension office or personnel, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/.
