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

Checkrow

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

  • Leader: Sharon Spangler | 309-926-7321

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 @ 4 p.m.

  • Leader: Cindy Chaffin | 309-333-6284

Lewistown

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

  • Leader: Wendy Johnson | 309-712-2856

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

Newsletters are Going Digital! Starting in January 2024, the 4-H newsletter will be delivered electronically. We want to make sure you continue to receive all the important information in our county 4-H program and 4-county unit. If you prefer to receive a paper copy of the eBlast, please complete this simple form at go.illinois.edu/4-Hnewsletter or contact the office at 309-547-3711 and speak with Rachel, Deb, or Krista to request the paper
copy be mailed to you. We want to help you!

November & December 2023 Newsletter  |  November 2023 Statewide Newsletter

September & October 2023 Newsletter   |   October 2023 Statewide Newsletter

July & August 2023 Newsletter

May & June 2023 Newsletter

March & April 2023 Newsletter

January & February 2023 Newsletter

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

web.extension.illinois.edu/qaec/

  • 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 2023

4-H Show Registration deadline: Monday, June 5, 2023

2023 FairEntry Directions

2023 Judging Dates:

  • Saturday, April 1, 2023
    • 10AM Public Speaking Contest, Checkrow Community Church - 3564 E Checkrow Rd, Avon
    • 11AM Performing Arts Show, Checkrow Community Church - 3564 E Checkrow Rd, Avon
  • Monday, May 1, 2023
    • Fulton 4-H Enrollment Deadline & Horse Ownership/Lease paperwork due to Extension office
  • Tuesday, May 2, 2023
    • Fulton 4-H Show Registration in FairEntry opens 
  • Monday, June 5, 2023
    • Fulton 4-H Show Registration in FairEntry closes
    • Creative Writing submissions due to Extension office
  •  Saturday, June 17, 2023
    • Fulton 4-H General Show, Cuba Junior/Senior High School, Cuba
      • 10AM-Clothing Judging begins
      • Noon-Project Check-in begins
      • 1PM-Project Judging begins
  •  Monday, July 24, 2023
    • 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 25, 2023
    • TIME to be determined, Master Showmanship Contest, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Lewistown
  •  Saturday, August 5, 2023
    • 9AM Official Horse Show, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Lewistown
  •  Sunday, August 13, 2023
    • Fulton County general project exhibit day at Illinois State Fair, Springfield

 

For More Information