Spotlight Stories
Local Youth Benefits from Partnership A 10 year partnership between Tractor Supply Company and National 4-H Council benefits 4-H members right here in Lee County. The Paper Clover Campaign raises money for scholarship funding for numerous state-level Lee County Master Gardener Aimee Hoffman received the
4-H programs.
2019 Outstanding Master Gardener Award.
“All money raised in each state by the fundraiser
Master Gardener Involvement Leads to College Degree
benefits youth within the state it was collected and 100%
Aimee Hoffman turned her love of gardening into a
Extension county director. “We use the funds for
career. A Master Gardener in Lee County since 2012,
scholarships to camps and leadership experiences like
Hoffman says, “The knowledge and skills I’ve gained over
the annual Illinois State 4-H Leadership Conference.”
of funds raised benefit 4-H,” said Janice McCoy,
the years as a Master Gardener gave me the confidence to go back to school.”
Nicole Hill from Dixon in Lee County attended the conference in 2017, and credits that experience leading
“The programs I developed and presented, led to a
to her being named to the Illinois Livestock Ambassador
desire to further my education and enrolling at
Team. “At the conference, I learned how important
Kishwaukee Community College. I completed an
teamwork and leadership are and how they can
associate’s degree in greenhouse management. I now
tremendously help in school and work. The experience I
have a rewarding career in a vocation that I love.”
had there introduced me to new methods of leadership. It helped me in my 4-H club, as well as school life,”
Through her work, Hoffman has developed lessons for
explains Hill.
schools, senior citizens, gardening conferences, and is a judge at the 4-H Fair each summer. Her interest in orchids
Last year, Hill took a big step and applied to be on the
turned into workshops where she instructs on types of
Illinois State 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team. She was
orchids, their care, and repotting of the delicate plants.
accepted. “The best thing I have done in 4-H is to be on
Hoffman enjoys delivering current gardening information to
the Livestock Ambassador Team. It opened me up to
the general public on a weekly, local radio program.
countless new people who enjoy the same things I do. Not only did it help open me up to new opportunities, it
“Aimee began as a quiet Master Gardener developing
has shown me what I love to do, which is educating
her confidence and leadership abilities as her
people about agriculture,” says Hill.
experienced increased,” explains Marilyn Kemmerer, Extension agriculture and natural resource program
Hill has loved showing her cattle at the county and state
coordinator. “The Lee County Master Gardeners
fair over the years. She liked learning about foods,
program has greatly benefitted from her knowledge. We
photography, and swine throughout her 4-H career. She
are fortunate to have her.”
is the daughter of Jill and Dave Hill of Dixon. 2019 ILLINOIS EXTENSION IMPACT REPORT 5
