Ruff honored for 35 years as ag literacy coordinator

PONTIAC, Ill. — A phone call from a friend changed Debbie Ruff’s career trajectory 35 years ago, and she’s “still having fun” as ag literacy coordinator. The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District board honored Ruff recently “for her 35 years of dedicated service to the youth, educators, farmers, conservation efforts, board and staff of the Livingston County SWCD and the state of Illinois. “Our program would not be the success it is without the commitment you have made since June 30, 1991. Thank you for your past, present and future leadership.” Ruff grew up on her family’s Brown Swiss dairy farm near Graymont. After graduating from Graymont Grade School and Pontiac Township High School, she enrolled at Illinois State University. “I wasn’t sure what I really wanted to do, but I liked kids and decided to go into elementary education,” she said. “Then things got messed up. I lost my mom and came home and married my farmer instead.” They had four children, and she started doing home day care. Then came the phone call. “One of my friends called me and said that Livingston County Soil and Water wants to start this new position called an education coordinator. My friend knew that I liked kids. I had been a 4-H leader since 1976 and was a 4-H member for the whole duration in my youth,” Ruff said. “I came in here and thought I’d give it a try. I went through the interview process and the board decided to give me a try.” Her exuberance in her role as SWCD ag literacy coordinator is the same as it was 35 years ago in teaching youngsters and adults about farming and the many related topics. “Every day’s a new day. I’m still having fun and still loving the kids. It’s never the same, just trying to figure out new ways to excite kids about the world of agriculture,” she said. “So, unfortunately, I’m one of those people that wakes up at 3 a.m. and then, ‘Oh, those two words rhyme. That would make a cool ditty or something.’ I’ve learned to keep a pad of paper nearby so I can write it down, otherwise I can’t sleep.” Technology Ruff said one of the biggest challenges over her career has been adopting to new technologies. “I’m a dinosaur, I’ll be honest. I try. My granddaughters just whizz through stuff and I’m going, you did what? I am not moving as fast as technology is. I don’t speak IT well. That’s the biggest challenge for me, but I find it amazing,” she said grinning. “I tell my kids, remember I learned to type on a manual typewriter. “Technology is the biggest challenge for me, and how many times have different educational concepts come through. We started with Learning Standards, then you go to Common Core and Next Generation standards. “They’re trying to evolve, too, but trying to make sure that I’m using the appropriate teacher-speak is also a challenge. I have some very good teacher friends who will remind me, ‘No, Debbie, we don’t say this anymore.’ So, I’m very thankful for them.” Board Support Ruff is grateful for the support from the county SWCD board members, many of whom have served through all or most of her career. The board is led by Chair Lee Bunting, Dwight, who started in 1978, and Vice Chair Chuck Hanley, Saunemin, who’s been serving since the early 1980s. Secretary Marcus Maier, Forrest; Treasurer Gary Bressner, Pontiac; and Director Tom Yoder, Forrest, have also served for many years on the board. There’s also been long-term stability on the staff. Becky Taylor, resource conservationist, and Ann Timcke were both recently honored for their 10 years of service. “We have a very good board and a very good staff because we’re all long term. It makes so we know each other’s strengths. We have a great working relationship. Part of the reason I’m still here is because of their support,” Ruff said. An example of that support was the board’s willingness to allow her to try that first Ag Expo in 1993. “I didn’t know what I was getting into. That first year we had it for two days and we invited, I think it was, kindergarten through eighth grade from every school. We ended up with like 1,600 kids that came through those two days,” she said. “We evolved since then because that was just too many and with all the volunteers that was just too hard on them.” Pivot The Ag Expo is now held every other year and hosts fourth and fifth graders. “I’m excited because the Livingston County Ag Expo comes back this year,” Ruff said. “After COVID we kind of went with the word everybody used — pivot. We just do it now for grades four and five. “It’s on Sept. 29 this year. Every school that houses grades four and five are invited, from Dwight to Woodland to Tri-Point and all points in between.” When a student arrives with their teachers, they receive an individualized agenda to direct them through the different topic stations. “You just can’t go from station to station that you choose. It’s chosen for you. That way it was all by grade levels,” Ruff said. “I might have had three of the same station, which they were unaware of, but that way they would have something on soils and erosion with a different presenter and maybe a little different take on it, but they would all get that. “I would try to make sure they would all get something on soils and erosion, something on water and water quality, something on trees, a lesson on farms and farm commodities. A lot of times I would also do safety. Wildlife was always a big one, too. “So, the Ag Expo involves, like, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, sometimes the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Farm Bureau, University of Illinois Extension. “It takes a village to run the Expo and I’ve got a great village that I’m from.” SWCD Collaborations Ruff is not only thankful the support of her county board, but also of the other SWCDs in the area. “We help each other,” she said of SWCDs. “One of the things we work together on is the Envirothon which is for the high school students. We hosted it here in Pontiac at the Precision Technology Institute. “I think we had 13 teams and each team has five kids, plus we had some alternates. It’s so cool to see. Each school has a team of five kids. What’s neat is that you have this team of five kids and they’re used to everyone having their own individual tests. “With their Envirothon, they’re given one test for those five kids and they form individual circles around the room where each team discusses and determines the answers. It’s the coolest thing to see that they have to learn to collaborate together and come together for an answer rather than it being all about just me. I love seeing the kids work together that way.” The teams are tested and judged on competency in five core areas of subject matter, including soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and one other environmental issue that changes from year to year. “This year was on nonpoint source pollution and water quality. Next year it will be on soil health,” Ruff said. Winners advance to Illinois Envirothon competition, hosted by the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, held annually at the 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello. Ruff’s duties as ag literacy coordinator aren’t limited to when school is in session. “Right now it’s grant-reporting season to try and get funds for the next year. I’m also doing a lot of the summer reading programs in the libraries which is a lot of fun because we get to do some things different that we might not get to do in the classroom. It’s fun because this year the parents are also participating with the kids. This week I’m going to the libraries in Chenoa and Flanagan for programs. That makes it kind of fun,” she said. “I usually then show up at the 4-H fair either to judge or where I’m needed. Becky Taylor is having the rainfall simulator there. So, I’ll help her however I can. I’m also starting to get plans ready to get the school year off to a good start.” During the school year, she offers various programs geared toward different grade levels and presents those programs at schools throughout the county. “Each summer I offer a Summer Ag Institute, but due to some declining enrollment we decided to cancel it for this year. That broke my heart because this is how we can offer teachers professional development,” she said. “I also offer in-service teacher workshops. It just depends on what each year is. I try to do something different to get new teachers involved or keep the interest going.” Generations Removed A vast majority of families are several generations removed from agriculture production — yet, to quote the late, great Orion Samuelson, “If you eat, you too are involved in agriculture.” Ruff’s role is to educate not only students, but also teachers who have never experienced firsthand the inner workings of a farm. “I also think it’s important because a lot of folks don’t even realize how agriculture even touches them. I’ve had teachers say that they don’t have any farm kids this year. That doesn’t matter. We’re all involved with agriculture,” she said. “I’ve done several career fairs. Sometimes schools will have their own in-house career fairs and I’ll have a booth featuring the multitude of careers in agriculture. The Livingston Area Career Center does a freshman career fair every year, so I’ll have a booth for them at that. “I think a lot of the emphasis is also now on showing that even though you didn’t grow up on a farm, there is something for you in agriculture with so many different job opportunities.” Final thoughts? “I’m still having fun. I’m still here,” Ruff said.