4-H in Fulton County

What's it like in 4-H?

The Fulton County 4-H program is open to youth ages 8 to 18 as of September 1. The current 4-H year runs from September 1 through August 31. Young persons may join 4-H at any time of the year, but to show at the summer 4-H Shows, they must be enrolled at the Extension office in Fulton County by May 1 of each 4-H year.

In 4-H, you get to decide what topics and projects interest you most. You make 4-H what you want it to be. Work on many projects or focus on one or two. Choose what events sound fun to you, and do them. In 4-H, you have an important role in making your community a better place to live, but you don’t have to do it alone. As a club, you’ll figure out what’s needed most in your neighborhood and find ways to help.

In 4-H, you’re part of a family working together. At club meetings, you’ll learn how to get along with others as you build your skills and help your community. In 4-H, you’ll meet adults who care about you and want to help you succeed. 4-H matches you with mentors who will coach you in areas like problem solving, communicating, and teamwork. 4-H introduces you to potential careers and then gives you the training to get the career you want.

Check out these local 4-H Clubs

Astoria

Astoria Pirates | Meets: 3rd or 4th Saturdays @ 9:30 a.m.

  • Leader: Sally Bair | 309-338-8513

Avon

Avondale | Meets: 3rd Sunday of each month @ 4 p.m.

  • Leader: Dusty Stephens | 309-368-5074
  • Leader: Robyn Hendel | 309-333-0516

Cuba

Big Ten | Meets: 3rd Sunday of each month @ 3 p.m.

  • Leader: Tera Grebner | 309-338-3762

Canton

Canton Luckettes | Meets: 1st Sunday of each month @ 2 p.m.

  • Leader: Heidi Putman | 309-635-2986

Cloverbud Cuties (ages 5-7) | Meets: 1st Thursday of each month @ 6:30 p.m.

  • Leader: Kaytlin Lehman | 309-339-4996
  • Leader: Annie Van Unnik | 309-335-3348

Checkrow

Checkrow Volunteers | Meets: 3rd Monday of each month @ 7 p.m.

  • Leader: Velynna Spangler | 309-789-6345

Fairview

Fairview Huskies | Meets: 2nd Sunday of each month @ 2 p.m.

  • Leader: Crista Hartstirn | 309-224-0770

Farmington

Farmington Lucky Clovers | Meets: 2nd Sunday of each month @ 5 p.m.

  • Leaders: Scott and Melanie Patterson | 309-210-2911

Glasford

Logan Leaders | Meets: 1st Thursday of each month @ 6 p.m.

  • Leader: Nicole Lettow | 309-696-9725

Ipava

Pleasant Spacemakers | Meets: 2nd Sunday of each month @ 6 p.m.

  • Leader: Cindy Chaffin | 309-333-6284

Lewistown

Busy Bees | Meets: 3rd Sunday of each month @ 6 p.m.

  • Leader: Tara Ricker | 309-226-3896

Jolly Workers | Meets: 2nd Sunday of each month @ 2 p.m.

  • Leader: Brian and Cara Wickert | 309-224-6525

Marietta

Country Kids | Meets: 2nd Sunday of each month @ 2 p.m.

  • Leader: Ellie Nolan | 309-338-6985

Smithfield

Smithfield Up and Coming | Meets: 3rd Sunday of each month @ 3 p.m.

  • Leader: Cindy Ellis | 309-783-3911

 

Special Interest (SPIN) Clubs

Junior Master Naturalist | Meets: once a month, January - July - Contact U of I Extension office for more details - 309-547-3711

Livestock Judging Club | meeting days and judging competition dates and times vary

  • Leader: Robyn Hendel | 309-333-0516

Shooting Sports Clubs | Fall Session and Spring Session

  • Coordinator: Nick Schisler | Contact U of I Extension office for more details - 309-547-3711
Newsletters

County 4-H Newsletter - distributed every 3 months

Unit Eblast Newsletter - emailed every 2 weeks

  • October 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter Oct 25
  • September 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter Sept 13  Sept 27
  • August 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter Aug 2  Aug 16
  • July 2024 Unit 4-H Happening eblast newsletter July 5  July 19
  • June 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter June 7  June 21
  • May 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter May 10  May 24
  • April 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter  April 12  April 26
  • March 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter  March 1  March 29
  •  February 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter Feb. 2  Feb. 16
  • January 2024 Unit 4-H Happenings eblast newsletter Jan. 5  Jan. 19

Statewide Newsletter - emailed every month

 

Resources

Awards - County

Awards - State: Visit the Illinois 4-H website for 4-H member and club awards available at the state level

  • 4-H Club Recognition
  • Illinois 4-H Experience Award for Individuals

Club Resources - County

  • Fulton County 4-H Club listing with meeting days and times   PDF

Club Resources - State: Visit the Illinois 4-H website for Club Meeting Resources

  • Checklist for Club Officers
  • Club Meeting Agenda Template
  • Club Treasurer Book
  • Club Secretary Book
  • Tips for Good Meetings
  • Club Fundraising Request Form (click on Fiscal tab)
  • and more

Dog Obedience Program

Enrollment Resources - County

Enrollment Resources - StateVisit the Illinois 4-H Member Resources page

  • Agreement to Assume Risk form (also in Spanish)
  • Annual Code of Conduct Form (also in Spanish)
  • Member Emergency Medical Form (also in Spanish)
  • Member & Volunteer Photo, Audio, & Video Permission Form (also in Spanish)

Project Resources: Visit the Illinois 4-H Member Resources page, scroll down to record forms

  • Livestock Records
  • Crops Records
  • Activities Planning Record
  • Project Plans for various age groups
  • and more

Project Resources: Livestock Projects

  • Quality Assurance & Ethics training - to be completed, online, one time for 4-H members exhibiting dogs, cats, rabbits, poultry and horse projects
  • Youth for Quality Care for Animals training - to be completed, online or in-person, annually for 4-H members exhibiting beef, sheep, swine, goats and dairy projects.
    • In-person trainings are available during the late spring and early summer months and include a $3 fee
    • Online training is available year-round and includes a $12 fee  | yqcaprogram.org/

Volunteer Resources

Fairs and Shows

4-H Show Book 2024

4-H Show Registration deadline: Monday, June 3, 2024

2024 FairEntry Directions

2024  Judging Dates:

  • Saturday, March 23, 2024
    • 10AM Public Speaking Contest & Performing Arts Exhibition, Checkrow Community Church - 3564 E Checkrow Rd, Avon
  • Wednesday, May 1, 2024
    • Fulton 4-H Enrollment Deadline & Horse Ownership/Lease paperwork due to Extension office
  • Monday, May 6, 2024
    • Fulton 4-H Show Registration in FairEntry opens (All 4-H entries) 
  • Monday, June 3, 2024
    • Fulton 4-H Show Registration in FairEntry closes (All 4-H entries)
  • Friday, June 14, 2024
    • Creative Writing submissions due to Extension office 
  • Saturday, June 22, 2024
    • Fulton 4-H General Show, Cuba Junior/Senior High School, Cuba
      • 10AM-Clothing Judging begins
      • Noon-Project Check-in begins
      • 1PM-Project Judging begins
  • Wednesday, June 19, 2024
    • 6pm Pet Show at the Fulton County Extension office 
  • Monday, July 1, 2024
    • Fulton County Fair Livestock entries due to Extension office
    • General State Fair Delegates from General Show
  • Saturday, July 13, 2024
    • 9am Official Horse Show, Fulton County Fairgrounds,  Lewistown
  • Monday, July 22, 2024
    • Fulton 4-H Dog Show, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Lewistown
      • 9AM-Dog Care
      • 10:30AM-Dog Obedience
    • Fulton County Fair begins—livestock exhibits. See County Fair Book for complete schedule
  •  Tuesday, July 23, 2024
    • TIME to be determined, Master Showmanship Contest, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Lewistown
  •  Friday, August 9, 2024
    • Fulton County general project exhibit day at Illinois State Fair, Springfield

 

State Resources for Illinois 4-H Members and Clubs

For More Information