The final school bell rings and sixth grade is over! Colton bolts for the door and into the warm, bright sunshine of summer. He feels a sense of freedom and knows in the very distant future he’s headed to Junior High, but now there are now camps, baseball, a vacation, and a 4-H fair first. His...

Oak Leaf.   Why would the Leaf parents of such a big, strong baby boy name him Oak? That’s seems like a lot of responsibility for a youngster to handle throughout his long life ahead. But Oak was full of potential. Oak knew the future held many uncertainties and challenges, but he...

The positive attitude of the energetic 4-H teens dressed in a neatly pressed green button-down shirts was infectious. There they stood in the State Capital in Springfield, Illinois in the commons area of a State Senator’s office and began a conversation with the receptionist. Within seconds all...

My name is Allyson Aves, I am the fifth generation to be raised on my family’s dairy farm and a fourth generation 4-H member. It is truly an honor to represent  Illinois 4-H as the Illinois 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team president.  Being a part of this team as well as a member of 4-H and...

As summer turns into fall, it is important to adapt donations to the changing needs of those who will receive them. The return of school lunches and the reduced pressure placed on refrigeration systems to preserve food will be boons for families struggling with food insecurity, but it is important...

So, we're already in the thick of the back-to-school season, and I bet things are kicking into gear. If the whirlwind of school life has you feeling a bit swamped, don't worry – we've got some solid tips to help you navigate through it all and keep that overwhelm at bay. 1. Master Your Routine:...

Illinois 4-H creates nearly 180,000 experiences for 4-H youth between the ages of 5-18 in all 102 Illinois counties. And 4-H empowers young people and creates a pathway of experiences for youth to explore topics that spark their interest whether that be in agriculture, STEM, community service, or...

Last spring I was on the Urbana-Champaign campus at the University of Illinois and heard that familiar “honk” of a Canada goose. I was nowhere near any water source that I knew of, but I know what a momma goose sounds like when she is rounding up her brood to march them to a destination she thinks...

Imagine celebrating the moments of a fun summer celebration - without your smartphone. Now, I am not suggesting you miss the great photo ops - by all means, take time to capture the memories to share later. The challenge arises when we disengage from the present moment to update our social media...