Pig roast benefits DuPage Extension
Sarah Navrotski's office has worms, hundreds and hundreds of worms.
They're the stars of DuPage County's University of Illinois Extension Office's program Worms in the Classroom, which teaches third-grade students throughout the county about the life and usefulness of worms.
It's just one of the many programs funded by the extension office that are potentially threatened by a shortage of state funding and one of many that potentially benefit from the second annual Harvest Roast fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 9, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, in Wheaton.
The pig roast and craft show organized by the DuPage Friends of Extension raises money so the extension office can continue to provide services that communities enjoy and rely on such as 4-H, the Master Gardener Program and numerous youth programs.
But besides raising money, the pig roast is yummy, organizers say.
“It's really, truly delicious, said Patricia Houle, president of the Friends of DuPage Extension. “People liked it. They seemed to really enjoy it, so we decided to do it again.
The pig is roasted on-site at the home ec building at the fairgrounds.
For $15, dinner includes meat, baked beans, coleslaw, tossed salad, mostaccioli, buns and rolls, as well as sauce and beverages such as pink lemonade, coffee and tea.
In addition to the meal, the event includes a bake sale and craft and quilt show.
The state's difficult financial times have trickled down to many organizations, and the extension office is one of them, said Sandra Davis, interim county director for the DuPage Extension. State money that used to match community fundraising is no longer there, leaving the extension's programs short.
As a result, Kane, Kendall and DuPage county extensions plan to consolidate next year to save money. Each will retain offices in their respective counties.
“We're taking off a tier of the administrative cost and sharing it between the three counties so we can put that money toward the programs in each of the counties, Davis said.
The consolidation is official beginning July 1, 2011.
Fundraisers like the Harvest Roast aim to keep services like the Worms in the Classroom program alive.
Sure, they're worms.
But to third-graders, who each get a petri dish with a worm and the opportunity to examine the worm with a magnifying glass, learning about a worm's purpose in composting is an invaluable educational experience, said Navrotski, who is the Master Gardener Program coordinator, in addition to the office worm feeder.
“Kids love it, she said. “When the master gardeners come in, they hand the worms to the kids and they're like ‘Ewwww. I don't want to do this.' By the end of the lesson, they want to take their worms home with them.
When services to the community go by the wayside, so does the potential for families to learn and grow, said Marilyn Joyner, of Glen Ellyn, a member of DuPage Friends of Extension.
“Those are all very important to help them develop socially and helping them to develop financially and develop from an educational standpoint.
The Harvest Roast begins with the craft and quilt show at 3 p.m. followed by food from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is free, and dinner is $15 per plate.
For information, (630) 955-1123 or dupagefriendsofextension.org.
If you go
What: Harvest Roast
When: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9
Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton
Cost: Free admission, dinner $15 per plate
Info: (630) 955-1123 or dupagefriendsofextension.org