Little Roots Cloverbud Gardening Club starting May 2 and meeting Thursdays from 6-7:30 at the NW Medicine Garden in Sycamore. Sign-up in Zuite and pick the Little Roots Club

Diggin' the Dirt Gardening Club for youth ages 8-12 years old (as of Sept. 1) starting on May 2 and meeting Thursdays from 6-7:30 PM at the NW Medicine Garden in Sycamore. Sign-up in Zssuite and pick the Diggin' the Dirt Club.

DeKalb County Hometown Leaders for teens in 10th-12th grades. Must attend all three meetings on April 30, May 8 and June 7. Email Kathy Dombek @kdombek@illinois.edu to register.

Tree Planting on April 27 at Afton Forest Preserve from 9-11 AM. Register by April 22.

Nature Fest 2024 on April 20 from 10-1 PM at Russell Woods in Genoa. Free family event with natured themed hands-on activities. 

Illinois 4-H Hooks us together Fishing Tournament & Clinic on April 20 from 9-2 PM at Lake Sule in Rochelle Register by April 10

Re-Enroll in 4-H or New to 4-H Zsuite Enrollment Directions

Summer 4-H Newsletter: 2023

Winter 4-H Newsletter:  2024

Livestock Flashes: 2024

4-H Club Reports

As a club reporter it is important that you write a brief article about your club meeting and special events. Those reports can be sent to the local newspapers as well as the Extension office. To be included on this page drop off the article to the Extension Office or email it to Nicole at: groezing@illinois.edu. Share what you are doing at your 4-H club meetings with the community and other 4-H’ers!

2022-2023

• Malta Mustangs - May
• Malta Mustangs - April
• Shabbona Pioneer - April
• Shabbona Pioneers - November
• Malta Mustangs - November
• Malta Mustangs - December
• Malta Mustangs - January
• Malta Mustangs - February

2021-2022

• DeKalb Choreboys & Choregirls - February
• DeKalb Choreboys & Choregirls - November
• DeKalb Choreboys & Choregirls - October
• Shabbona Pioneers - Oct, Nov, Dec.

County Announcements

• 2023-24 Archery Schedule
• 2023-2024 Air Rifle Schedule 
• Project Book Request Form

• 2024 Public Speaking Contest on April 3 at 6 PM in the DeKalb County Farm Bureau building - Open to the public
• 2024 DeKalb County Entire Fairbook
  • Fair Schedule of Events
  • Showmanship Sweepstakes & Foundation Bags Tournament
  • Project Show & Fair Schedule - Open to the public.
  • General Rules & Regulations
  • Livestock Show Special 4-H Rules
  • Cloverbuds
  • General Projects
  • Beef
  • Dairy
  • Dogs
  • Goats
  • Horse & Pony
    • Horse Agreement - Due May 1
  • Poultry
  • Rabbits
  • Sheep
  • Swine
    • Swine Nomination Form - Due June 3
• FairEntry Enrollment Directions: DeKalb 2024
• Auction Rules & Regulations
• Auction Participation Form - Due June 10
• 2023 4-H Blue Ribbon Auction Buyers & Contributors
• 2023 DeKalb County 4-H Award Sponsors
• General Project Report Form Fill this form out if you are not able to show in-person and include it with your project. Contact Nicole at groezing@illinois.edu if you can't show in-person at least 1 week before the show.

Awards

All of the following award applications are in a fillable PDF format. Before filling out the application, open the document in Adobe Acrobat and save it to your computer. All award applications are due no later than Friday, September 8, 2023.

• Brown Award for Leadership Application  The purpose of this award is to recognize DeKalb County 4-H members who have developed the basic life skills needed to be good citizens and community leaders. The organizational leader of any DeKalb County 4-H Club may nominate one 4-H member from his/her club for this leadership award.  
• I Dare You Award Application This award is for 4-H members, who are 14 – 16 as of September 1, 2022. 4-H members are selected for this award only once. 4-H Leaders can nominate a 4-H’er from their club to receive this award. The I Dare You Leadership Award recognizes those who, with a little encouragement, are ready to see themselves as leaders – young adults who are ready to take the dare. Leaders are encouraged to complete a brief award form addressing the nomination’s personal qualities that would make them an effective leader.
• Alumni Award
• Outstanding 4-H Supporter Application This award offers 4-H clubs the opportunity to recognize individuals, families, businesses, or organizations for their dedication, support and involvement with the DeKalb County 4-H program. 4-H clubs are encouraged to be creative and take this opportunity to recognize individuals that have assisted their 4-H club or the county 4-H program.
• Outstanding 4-H Volunteer Application This award gives 4-H clubs the opportunity to recognize any 4-H volunteer for their dedication and support of their club’s programming efforts, or at the county level. Individuals nominated need not be a 4-H alumni…they only have to have been a volunteer for the 4-H program.

Club Forms & Resources

• Club Fundraising Approval Form
• Club Donation Approval Form

Project Books

• To request a project book please fill out the Project Request Form and return it to the Extension office.

Record Book

Instructions

1. Use the record book for all the things you do in 4-H this year.
2. Write 2-3 “Project Goals” for each project at the beginning of the 4-H year.
3. Record participation in club offices, committees, projects, 4-H events, community service, promotions, leadership, school and community activities & 4-H ribbons/awards.
4. This record book is your personal work. Handwriting or typing should be your own.
5. You may add additional lines and spaces if needed.
6. Your signature and that of your parent/guardian & leader are required. Electronic signatures are acceptable.
7. Download your preferred format and save it to your computer. Then type in the requested information and save.

• Easy Edit Word Format with text boxes
• Easy Edit PDF Format with text boxes
• Word Format with tables
• 2022-2023 Cheat Sheet with county events and programs

Livestock Records

• Fillable PDF: Illinois 4-H Livestock Record

Scholarships

• Illinois 4-H Scholarship: These merit-based scholarships are awarded to five Illinois 4-H members in each category listed below. Scholarships are $1,000 and can be used to pay for any college-related costs. Scholarships are paid directly to the educational institution of the member’s choice. Members must be 15-19 years old, be currently enrolled in the Illinois 4-H program and must have been a 4-H member for a minimum of 2 years. Online applications must be submitted to the State 4-H Office by November 1. Applicants will also need to request reference forms from two references. Categories include: Animal Science, Civic Engagement/Global Living, Food Systems, Healthy Living/Nutrition, Leadership, Natural Resources & Environmental Science, Personal Growth, and STEM/Robotics 
• Foundation Educational Scholarship: Applicants must be current or past DeKalb County 4-H members, who are high school seniors or in an approved post-high school educational program (junior college, 4-year university, trade school, etc.).  Applicants should also be a full time student. Once they receive the scholarship they are ineligible to reapply.  Word Format and PDF Format

New 4-H Family Guide - The purpose of this guide is to help families learn about 4-H and how to have a positive experience in 4-H. Use this guide to familiarize yourself with the 4-H youth development program. As your family goes through the 4-H year, you may find you have questions about specific activities or events or expectations of your family. Never hesitate to talk to your 4-H club leader or call the DeKalb County Extension office at 815/758-8194 if you have any questions.

5 Minute New 4-H Family Flash

Nicole Groezinger, 4-H Program Coordinator, talks to families new to 4-H about:

• Projects
• Record Books
• FairEntry For 2023 you will need to "Create a FairEntry Account." Do NOT sign-in using 4-H Online. All entries are due on JUNE 12.