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4-H in DeKalb County

Reminders and Registrations

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4-H Enrollment

The 2025-26 year will end on Aug. 31, 2026. The new 4-H year begins Sept. 1, and enrollment will open in October!

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2026-27 4-H Project Guide

Check-out all the projects you have available.

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Project Manuals

To request a project manual please fill out this form and return it to the Extension office.
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YQCA

All 4-H members who intend to exhibit swine, beef, sheep, goats or dairy at the 4-H Fair must become YQCA certified. Certification can be completed online or by attending an in-person training.

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Livestock Fair Checklist

Be sure to read this checklist of things you need to complete or prepare for to show livestock this summer. It also includes a fair schedule.

 

 horse, rabbit, dog and chicken

QAEC

The Quality Assurance and Ethics training is required for youth in horses, rabbits, poultry, llamas, dogs and cats. You only need to take it once in your lifetime. The training is on Zsuite under the “Clover Academy” link on the left side. 

Newsletters and Flyers

4-H Dog Clinic: Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30 PM in the Farm Bureau building.  Read the flyer for more details. Email Nicole at groezing@illinois.edu to register.

Lead, Learn, Thrive! 4-H Volunteer Conference on Saturday, September 19, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the DeKalb County Center for Agriculture Building.
This FREE conference is designed to re-energize and equip 4-H leaders as we kick off the new 4-H year. Led by 4-H professionals from across Northern Illinois and the State 4-H Office, the event also fulfills your required three hours of volunteer training for the 2026–2027 program year.
DeKalb County Center for Agriculture Building
Located at: 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore, IL
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026 
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Cost: FREE! 
Includes light refreshments, interactive sessions, and networking! Registration is now open and will close on September 4 (for a free t-shirt) or September 13 (no t-shirt). Click here to review the workshop offerings before registering.  To register for the conference, sign in to your Zsuite account, click Events, then register. It should be a great day and a wonderful way to kick off the new 4-H year. 
 

Archery Schedule : 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.

Winter 4-H Newsletter:  2026 

Livestock Flashes: 2026

Summer 4-H Newsletter: 2026

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!

2025-2026

County Announcements

Fairs and Shows

Awards, Club Forms, Record Book Forms

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 11, 2026.

  • 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, 2025. 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

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.

Livestock Records

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

Information For New Families

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:

State Resources for Illinois 4-H Members and Clubs

Meetings

Club Meetings

 Member

Member Projects

 Teen

Teen Leadership

 Educational Programs

Educational Programs

 Enrollment Instructions

Enrollment Instructions

New 4-H year starting September 1!

For More Information