Discover 4-H Carnival: Sunday, October 12 from 3-5 PM at the Farm Bureau building. This is a fun afternoon for families to celebrate a great year in 4-H. We will have games, activities, and food. It is also a great opportunity to invite new families to join 4-H. I am also looking for volunteers (adults and 4-H members) that are willing to run games and activity stations. I will have it all set to go, just show up and help. Please email me if you can help. Share the flyer with your friends and family.

Cooking a Meal for Hope Haven: Saturday, October 18 from 3-6 PM at the Farm Bureau building. 4-H'ers and their families are welcome to come help cook a meal for the residents at Hope Haven. Cloverbuds can participate too if an adult comes with them to help. We will be making pulled pork, baked beans, pasta salad and brownies. Email Nicole if you would like to help.

Foundation Restaurant Fundraiser: October 23 at South Moon BBQ in Hinckley from 4-8 PM. You MUST show the flyer and 25% of the sales will go to support DeKalb County 4-H.

4-H Family Halloween Party: October 28 from 5-7 PM at the Farm Bureau building. It is free and hosted by the 4-H Federation. It is for all ages and we will have fun games, crafts, and a "haunted house". Come dressed in your costume. Families are encouraged to decorate their car trunk and bring along candy to give away at the trunk or treat at 7:00 PM. You don't have to worry about dinner, we will have meatball subs, chips and apples and caramel dip Youth must attend with their parents and Register by Oct. 22.

Archery Schedule for 2025-206: They meet at the Aurora Sportsman's Club south of Waterman twice a month on Sundays from 1-3 PM if the weather cooperates. All the equipment is provided and the cost is $20/year in addition to the $20 4-H enrollment fee. Please email Nicole at groezing@illinois.edu if you are interested in joining this year.

Air Rifles Schedule for 2025-2026: TBD They looking for a new location to meet. Specifically, an indoor space at least 50 feet in length (such as a gym, warehouse, armory, pole barn, or other large room).If you know of a possible location, or if you can help in any way, please contact Dale Swanson at dlhm0708@gmail.com  or 815-701-8052. 

Winter 4-H Newsletter:  2025

Livestock Flashes: 2025

Summer 4-H Newsletter: 2025

Club List

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

County Announcements

• 2024-25 DeKalb County Clubs
• Project Book Request Form
• Directions on how to enroll in 4-H for 2025-26

• 2025 Public Speaking Contest on March 27 at 6 PM in the DeKalb County Farm Bureau building - Open to the public
• 2025 DeKalb County Entire Fairbook
• DeKalb County 4-H Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction: Sunday, August 3, 1 PM at the Sandwich Fairgrounds
  • Make a donation to the Friends of 4-H for the livestock auction. See flyer for more details.
• Directions for Fair Entry
• Livestock Fair Checklist
  • All 4-H Show Schedule of Events
  • Fair Schedule of Events
  • Showmanship Sweepstakes
  • 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 2
• FairEntry Enrollment Directions: DeKalb 2025
• Auction Rules & Regulations
• Auction Participation Form - Due June 9
• 2024 4-H Blue Ribbon Auction Buyers & Contributors
• 2024 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 6, 2024.

• 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, 2023. 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

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
• 2024-2025 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 and Record Book Zoom Training from 1/29/25