The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from 2 of the leaders at University of Illinois Christian County’s Taylorville office, at their Tuesday noon meeting at the Moose Lodge.
Sara Marten, County Director; and Cassie O’Donnell, Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator, spoke to Kiwanis members about what they called “the best kept secret” in the area.
Marten shared that County Extension Offices were established by the University of Illinois over one hundred years ago, and with re-organization over 10 years ago, staff serves Christian and several other counties. She added their office focuses on 4 program areas: 4-H and youth development for ages 5 to 18; horticulture and agriculture; nutrition and wellness; and community and economic development.
Marten told the group Christian County 4-H numbers are steady.
O’Donnell told the Kiwanis Club this year for the first time, U of I Extension is offering hybrid master gardener training, and added the local Extension Office is hosting what they’re calling a “Taste of Extension” open to the public from 4:30 til 7pm on October 24th.
The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge. For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.
