4-H in Fulton County
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
- Leaders: Extension Master Naturalist Jenny Beal and Canton Park District Director Amanda Atchley
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
- Air Rifle
- .22 Caliber Pistol
- Shotgun
- Smallbore .22 Rifle
- Fall 2024 schedule
Newsletters
County 4-H Newsletter - distributed every 3 months
- September 2024 Newsletter
- May 2024 Newsletter
- February 2024 Newsletter
- November & December 2023 Newsletter
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
- October 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- September 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- August 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- July 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- June 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- May 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- April 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- March 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- February 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- January 2024 Statewide Newsletter
- December 2023 Statewide Newsletter
- November 2023 Statewide Newsletter
Resources
Awards - County
- Club Community Service Award Word Doc PDF
- Club Health and Safety Award Word Doc PDF
- Fulton County 4-H Award Manual with application for ages 8 - 19 Word Doc PDF
- Hilda Rock Memorial Cooking Award
- I Dare You Award Word Doc PDF
- Outstanding First Year Member Award Word Doc PDF
- College Scholarships Sponsored by Fulton County 4-H
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
- 4-H Online Enrollment System: ZSuites
- Illinois 4-H Project Guide 22-23
- Program Fee Waiver Form
- Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports Enrollment Packet Fall 2024
Enrollment Resources - State: Visit 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
- Visit go.illinois.edu/TakeQAEC for complete instructions
- 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
- Required Trainings: Child Protection (ANCRA) and Overnight Chaperone
- Recommended Volunteer Trainings: Volunteer Orientation, Public Presentations, Parliamentary Procedures, Club Program Planning and many more
- Volunteer Application: For adults interested in applying to become a 4-H volunteer.
- Shooting Sports Volunteer Application
- Volunteer Re-enrollment Form: For adults who are active and approved 4-H volunteers.
Fairs and Shows
4-H Show Registration deadline: Monday, June 3, 2024
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
- Fulton 4-H General Show, Cuba Junior/Senior High School, Cuba
- 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
- Fulton 4-H Dog Show, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Lewistown
- 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