4-H projects and career building
You never know where a 4-H project may lead. These projects allow youth to become involved in a wide variety of activities that may lead to future careers. Sometimes it's a project; for others it may be an experience such at the Illini Summer Academies. It's great to hear success stories of our Illinois youth becoming passionate about a subject and making a difference.
For years, Anthony Warmack has made environmental sciences his passion. Robert Woodruff of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance has collaborated with Anthony on water quality and nutrient loss projects in the area.
"I was impressed with his knowledge and ability to understand the information we were researching," Woodruff said.
"Anthony is very conservation-minded and devoted to educating others on our natural resources and how to preserve them," said David Wallgast, Illinois conservation officer.
Anthony is a recent 4-H alum from Grundy County who now works at the county Extension office. He attacked natural resource education in three phases. First he created a magazine geared to urban and rural homeowners featuring topics on proper fertilizer use, importance of soil testing, and sustainable gardening and landscaping. Then he developed a mobile app which allows homeowners to get answers to environmental questions. In addition, he has honed his educational training skills to reach more than 4,500 people.
"Citizen science is something I'm really passionate about," Anthony said, "and I think it is a really great teaching tool for teaching the general public."
Gathering information can be costly, so Anthony designed an easy-to-make spectrometer which teachers use with their students to collect data from the field. That data is added to the collective research from people around the country and leads to practical policies and practices to preserve our natural resources.
Any family interested in 4-H youth programming, or adult wishing to share knowledge or skills with our area youth, is encouraged to contact Kassy Scates at kscates@illinois.edu or 618-272-3022 for more information.
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Upcoming events </span>
4/22 Unit 24 Livestock Skillathon and Clinic
4/29 National 4-H Day of Service
5/6 Speaking For Illinois 4-H in Effingham
5/20 Day Out with the St. Louis Cardinals
6/18-21 Southern Illinois 4-H Camp (Session 1)