2020 Hometown Heroes

Page 194 2020 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 14, 2020 Shelly Nickols-Richardson, Associate Dean and Director of Illinois Extension noted in the release, “Illinois Extension is part of the solution of protecting the health of our residents across the state. We will not compromise on our commitment to health, but we also support the education mission and beloved tradition of our summer 4-H shows. These events provide unparalleled opportunities for you to demonstrate sportsmanship, mastery of skill, and support of their peers and communities.” The release also states: “For more than 100 years, Illinois Extension has delivered educational programming through in-person meetings, webinars, conferences, camps, and contests. Following the stay-at-home order in March, Extension mobilized staff to transition most in-person events to digital webinars, meetings, podcasts, and videos. To help Illinois families, business owners, and agricultural producers respond to the COVID-19 crisis, Extension staff created more than 400 new educational resources since mid- March, which are available at @go.illinois. edu/ExtensionCOVID19.” So, while we are all holding out hope that we will be able to see all these great 4-H members at the fair, we know that the local leaders and staff at the local extension are doing all they can to keep our youth safe and healthy and at the same time prepare them for a new style of exhibiting and showing their projects. We look forward to seeing how this all works out, and will roll with the punches, just like all our kids are right now. [Nila Smith]