Please join us for 2018 Celebrate Food & Ag Day at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on Saturday, September 8 from 4-6 p.m. This event is hosted by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. We are excited to welcome supporters in the food, agriculture, and allied industries to campus to celebrate with us prior to  cheering the Fighting Illini football team to victory.

Join our celebration at Lot 31 on the tree line along Kirby Avenue directly west of the stadium. A "Midwest barbeque buffet" will be featured in the tent. Tailgate entrance passes (which includes the buffet) are now available at http://go.aces.illinois.edu/CFAg. A cash bar will also be available at the tent. Game tickets are exclusively available through the Illinois Ticket Office.

Tent tickets can be picked up through Thursday, September 6 at the ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center, Suite 115, 1101 S. Goodwin Ave. Tickets can also be picked up at the tent prior to the start of the event.

Questions? Contact Kate Yeazel at 217-244-1817 or kyeazel@illinois.edu.

Enjoy an afternoon of fun and networking, plus a free BBQ sandwich meal. Don't miss this opportunity to get your free ACES t-shirt, win awesome prizes, and enjoy Bevier Cafe's legendary cookies! We're bringing the ACES community together to get to know each other in a fun, relaxing environment to help kick off a new school year!

The state of Illinois has released $10 million to University of Illinois Extension, which provides educational programs such as 4-H. Pictured is the 4-H Meal Packaging Event in Jacksonville on April 4, marking the one millionth meal packaged by IL 4-H.

URBANA, Ill. –The state of Illinois has released $10 million to University of Illinois Extension, including $8.35 million to match contributions from county boards.

Led by Senate members Scott Bennett (D-52) and Chapin Rose (R-51), legislators across the aisle worked with their caucuses, their leadership, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois Comptroller’s Office to ensure funding for the essential Extension programs that serve individuals, families, and communities in all of Illinois’ 102 counties.

Although Extension was budgeted to receive full funding by the governor and legislature in Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018, it had not received the payment since 2015.

“I am deeply grateful for the bipartisan efforts that were made to release this funding, and especially thank Senators Rose and Bennett for bringing this issue to the attention of other lawmakers in Springfield,” said Kim Kidwell, dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, which administers Extension.

“This funding allows us to begin to get back on track with matching contributions from counties to fund essential programing in their areas. We appreciate the patience, support and commitment county boards demonstrated to 4-H and Extension during this funding crisis,” Kidwell said.

The recent payment also includes $1.2 million for Cook County Extension programs, where nearly half of Illinois residents reside, and $496,840 towards youth education that will support 4-H programs. An additional $3.4 million in state funds budgeted for Extension in FY 2017 and 2018 remain to be disbursed, which includes $1.6 million in county board match.

“This progress is a great example of both parties coming together to support a program that matters to everyone, as Extension programs serve every county – all ages, genders, and walks of life,” said Interim Director of Extension Shelly Nickols-Richardson.

Extension reached 1.3 million participants with in-person education and trained 23,000 volunteers in 2017, helping Illinois residents improve agricultural practices, protect their environment, improve family nutrition, build strong local economies, and receive professional training.

Established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, University of Illinois Extension in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is a mission-critical component of the university. Extension’s services include well-known programs such as 4-H, rural and urban agricultural training, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteer programs, nutrition education, and economic development programs for local governments.

“Extension is one of the most important ways the University of Illinois gives back to the state and fulfills its mission to enhance the lives of citizens in Illinois through learning, discovery, engagement and economic development,” Nickols-Richardson said. “We’re grateful to the state for taking steps to help us achieve this mission.”

Join us for the ACES Town Hall on Tuesday, April 17 from 2-3:30 p.m, in the Monsanto Room of the ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center. You are invited to enrich the conversation by asking questions and/or providing input during the discussion. The intention of this meeting is to discuss what we are going to do, how we are going to do it, and who will be responsible for making it happen. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts with us and make your ideas heard. ACES Town Hall is open to all ACES faculty, staff, and students.
 

Topics of our discussion will include:

1. Implementation of new budget model

2. Collegewide cluster hire in Food and Agricultural Systems for Global Health

3. Investments for growth incentives (campuswide and collegewide)

4. Implementing Extension 3.0 Task Force recommendations

Seating is limited. If we reach capacity or you cannot attend in person, visit our website. This event will be livestreamed. You may watch the livestream at go.illinois.edu/ACESTownHall-stream or join the event via Skype for Business at go.illinois.edu/ACESTownHall-skype. You may also attend by phone at 888-983-3631. When prompted, enter the conference ID 84645605.

We know high school students have long to-do lists and tons of commitments, especially senior year. Learning how and what to focus on to prepare for the application process may lessen the level of stress they feel come fall. By following a few simple guidelines, students can navigate the application process and make college a more enjoyable and affordable experience. Join us over your lunch break on Dec. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT for a Twitter chat with ACES experts Brianna Gregg and Debra Korte. They’ll answer your questions about application essays, scholarships, campus visits, and more!