4-H in Peoria County

What's it like in 4-H?

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

Brimfield

Jubilee Patriots | Meets: 3rd Sunday each month @  6 – 7:30 p.m.

  • Leader: Mary Plumer | 309-678-4530 | Email
  • Leader: Jennifer Slayton | 309-712-4131 | Email

Chillicothe

Chillicothe Youth on Fire | Contact leader for meeting dates and times

  • Leader: Samantha Relaford | Email 

Dunlap

Dunlap Dynamite | Meets: 4th Sunday each month @ 3 pm 

  • Leader: Karen Carter | 243-1152 | Email 

Elmwood

Elmwood All-Stars | Meets: 3rd Sunday each month @ 6:00-7:30 pm

  • Leader: Julie Giles  |  Email

Kickapoo

Kickapoo Kickers | Meets: 2nd Tuesday each month @ 6 - 7:30 pm

  • Leader: Colleen Callahan  |  309-208-1209  |  Email

“Neighbor Kids” Dairy Club | Meets: 1st Friday each month @ 7 - 9 pm

  • Leader: Fred Rosenbohm | 697-4041 | Email

Laura

Laura Winners | Meets: 3rd Sunday each month @ 5:00 pm

  • Leader: Carol Cowser | 678-4495 | Email
  • Leader: Karla Smith | 645-4282 | Email
  • Leader: Erin Murphy | 309-922-1122

Peoria

Peoria Clovers | Meets: 2nd Sunday each month @ 1 - 3 pm

  • Leader: Beth Parry | Email

Princeville

Edelstein Eager Beavers | Meets: 3rd Monday each month  @ 6 pm

  • Leader: Mary Hermann
  • Leader: Hannah Martin | 309-657-9763  | Email

 

Special Interest (SPIN) Clubs 

Wildlife Prairie Park 4-H Learning Garden | Facebook Group

  • Meets once a month January through May and then various days during planting, growing and harvesting seasons
  • Leader: May Bach, Extension Master Gardener and Master Naturalist | Email

Shooting Sports | Spring and Fall sessions

  • Archery

Dog Obedience | Summer session leading up to 4-H Show

  • Contact U of I Extension office, Peoria for complete details | 309-685-3140

Midnight Riders | Contact U of I Extension for complete details.

  • Leader: Peggy Kreichgauer | 309-232-6372 | Email

Sheep | Meets once a month on Saturdays leading up to the fair, and more frequently as it gets closer to the fair

  • Leader: Sarah Lueschow | Email

Rabbit | Contact U of I Extension office for details. Plans to start meeting in the spring 2025.

  • Leader: Marie Lindahl | Email

Goat | Contact U of I Extension office for details. Plans to start meeting in the spring 2025.

  • Leader: Missy and Scott Stevens | Email

Robotics | Contact U of I Extension office for details. Plans to start meeting in the spring 2025.

  • Leader: Robert and Mary Herrmann | Email

Fashion Week  |  Meets on Sunday afternoons in downtown Peoria

  • Leader: Chanel Hargrave-Murry | Email
  • Leader: Carmen Jackson |  Email 

Historical Reenactment | Meet 1st or 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5 PM in Princeville

  • Leader: Kristi Smith | Email

Tractor | Starts Spring of 2025

  • Leader: Roy Maguire | Email

Local Events, Workshops, and Deadlines

Newsletters

County 4-H Email updates - distributed at least once a month

County 4-H Quarterly Newsletter

Resources

Awards - County

Awards - County Educational PowerPoints: Download the files from this online shared folder.

  • Click through these PowerPoint slides to gain insights and helpful tips to completing your Peoria 4-H award applications.

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
  • Holstein-Friesian Association Award
  • Illinois 4-H Electricity Achievement Award
  • Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future Award
  • Scholarships

Club Resources - County

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

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

Project Resources: Livestock and Other Animal 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

Peoria 4-H Show Book 2025

Project Submission Deadline: June 15, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.

2025 Judging Dates:

  • Saturday, June 21, Gray Horse Farm
    • Horse Show, 9 a.m. (4-Hers check in 8 a.m.)
  • Wednesday, July 9 – Raber Packing Co., West Peoria
    • 9:30 a.m. General projects – 9:30 a.m.
    • 5 p.m. Cook Out Party, Projects released, Share the Fun
  • Thursday, July 10, Stark County Fairgrounds, Wyoming
    • 7:30 a.m. Livestock on the grounds
    • 8:00 a.m. Livestock shows begin in main show ring - Goats - Sheep - Swine - Cattle; Master Showmanship follows each class of Challenge Showmanship
    • 8:00 a.m. - Dog Show
    • 6:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Barnyard Games
  • Friday, July 11, Stark County Fairgrounds, Wyoming
    • 7:00 a.m.  Rabbits and Poultry on the grounds
    • 8:00 a.m. Rabbit Show
    • 9:00 a.m. Poultry Show
    • Noon Cat Show
  • Evening of Friday, July 11, Raber Packing Co.
    • 5 - 7 p.m. Pork Chop Dinner
    • 5:30 p.m. Fashion Review
    • 6:45 p.m. Volunteer and Scholarship Recognition, Cloverbud Graduation
    • 7:00 p.m. Livestock Auction
For More Information