U of I Extension News – November 22, 2017

Dare To Lead: 2018 Teen Leadership Conference

Build Your Skills And Have A Great Time!

DARE to build upon your leadership skills. If you want to hang out with other teens while you learn to be a better leader, this conference is for you.

This year’s event is be open to ANY Illinois high school teen in grades 9 to 12. We are excited to open the doors of this event to teens who belong to any type of organization, club or sports team – any teen who desires to step up and DARE to LEAD. The conference is Saturday & Sunday, January 13-14, 2018 at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel.

Workshop sessions will focus on public speaking, watching your digital identity, social media marketing, advocating for a cause, and becoming a leader, finding your leadership niche, and youth and adult partnerships.

Teens need to attend in a county, club, organization or school “group” (Illinois 4-H’ers included) and each group must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (age 21 or older).

If you want to go, you need to contact the 4-H office NOW. The staff enter all the registrations for the county. Cost is $130 for 4-H members or $175 for other group members.

Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close on Monday, December 4. DARE to LEAD – and join us! Call The Washington County Extension Office at 618-327-8881 for more information.

Giving Tree: Sponsor A Child This Holiday Season

Washington County 4-H Federation would like all youth to experience the magic of the holidays and you can help. Get into the true spirit of the holiday season by sponsoring a child.

Look for giving trees in your community, or contact the Washington County Extension Office at 618-327-8881.

Each tag on a giving tree represents a Washington County child in need. The tags will include the gender, age and type of item needed. Deliver items to the Washington County Extension Office at 9623 Wall Street in Nashville no later than December 8. No need to wrap them, just return the tag with the gift and the 4-H Federation will take care of the rest.

For more Washington County 4-H activities, follow us on Facebook at Washington County, Illinois 4-H.

Give The Gift Of Gardening

University of Illinois offers Master Gardener training beginning January 23, 2018 for Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties.

Classes will continue on Tuesday weekly from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 3.

If you know someone who loves gardening and sharing their knowledge with others, along with working on volunteer projects in their community, then consider giving the gift of knowledge.

They do not need to be skilled gardeners, just have the desire to learn about gardening. The course will cover a wide variety of topics over ten sessions including annuals, perennials, woody plants, vegetables, insects and diseases, soils, fruits, lawns, and a whole lot more. The Master Gardener program is open to any adult (age 18 or older).

Everyone has someone on his or her list that is hard to buy for (or maybe it is you). Consider giving the Master Gardener course to friends and family who love to garden.

Register by January 15 for upcoming classes. Registration is available online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/bcjmw/.

This class, taught by University of Illinois Educators, includes a detailed reference book as part of the course.

For additional information call 618-327-8881 or visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/.

For more local University of Illinois Extension activities, follow us on Facebook at U of I Extension, Unit 23.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact the extension office at (618)327-8881