4-H in Mercer County

What's it like in 4-H?

4-H helps youth find their spark! Join Illinois’ largest out-of-school youth organization, where kids and teens learn by doing with fun, hands-on activities that teach skills for successful living. We can’t wait for you to join and become part of our 4-H family!

Ready to Take the Next Step? You can join one of our many community clubs and be part of our 4-H family!
Just fill out this online 4-H interest form and we'll get back to you to help you find the club that works for you!

Here are Mercer County 4-H Community Clubs you can join!

  • Alexis All Stars- 3rd Sunday @ 6 pm in Alexis 
  • Country Kids- Last Tuesday @ 6:30 pm in Viola 
  • Hamlet Handy Helpers- 2nd Sun @ 5 pm in Hamlet 
  • Joy Eliza Ag- 2nd Sunday @ 4 pm in Eliza 
  • Kimel- 2nd Sunday @ 5 pm in Aledo
  • Peppy Partners-3rd Saturday @ 9:30 am in Aledo 
  • Saddle Teens- 2nd Thursday @ 6:30 pm in Viola
  • Teen Federation- date & time varies in Aledo

Interested in volunteering? Fill out this volunteer interest form and we'll be in touch!

The monthly 4-H Newsletter is just a click away! Read the 4-H Insights Newsletter here

4-H Member Resources

Here are some important links to the 2024 Mercer County 4-H Newsletter, Recognition and Awards, the Mercer County 4-H Achievement Awards Booklet.

Recognition Program Awards

See all the 4-H Recognition Program Awards you can apply for here. 

Awards include: 

  • Officer Awards Due September 1 
  • Illinois Electricity Achievement Award Due Sept 10
  • 4-H Club Excel Award Due September 20 
  • 4-H Club of the Year Award Due Oct 1
  • Outstanding Volunteer Award Due Oct 1
  • Outstanding 4-H Growth Award Due Oct 1
  • Outstanding First Year 4-H Member Award Due Oct 1
  • Super 4-Her Award Due Oct 1
  • Emanuel Johnson Award Due Oct 1
  • Marvin Kottman Award Due Oct 1
  • Livestock Record Book Award Due Oct 1
  • 4-H Member Recognition for the2023-2024 4-H year Due Oct 1
  • I Dare You Award Due Oct 1
  • 4-H Experience Award Due Oct 1
  • Illinois 4-H Scholarships Due Nov 1
  • Sustaining the Future Award Due Jan 9, 2025

4-H Insight Newsletters

Check out the 4-H Insight monthly newsletter - keeping our members, leaders and families up to date on the news, events, activities, deadlines and opportunities happening each month.

October 2024 Newsletter

September 2024 Newsletter

June 2024 Newsletter

May 2024 Newsletter

April 2024 Newsletter

March 2024 Newsletter

February 2024 Newsletter

January 2024 Newsletter

December 2023 Newsletter

November 2023 Newsletter

October 2023 Newsletter

September 2023 Newsletter

Mercer County 4-H Awards Booklet

Check out the outstanding achievements and remarkable contributions of our dedicated members, volunteers, and clubs.

Read it here: Mercer County 4-H Achievement Awards 2022-23

4-H Recognition Program 2023/24 Year Deadlines & Information

See all the 4-H Recognition Program Awards you can apply for here

Officer Awards Due September 1, 2024
• Outstanding Club Secretary: The Secretary Book can be found here.
• Outstanding Club Treasurer: The Treasures Book can be found here.
• Outstanding Club Reporter: Is selected by who submits the high number of club report to the 4-H Newsletter.

Illinois 4-H Electricity Achievement Award Due September 10: Download the application here, complete and submit to office.
•All 4-H’ers enrolled in the 4-H Electricity Project are eligible to apply.
•You may not apply for this award if you have already received it.

4-H Club Excel Award Due September 20 Award4-H Clubs which EXCEL in their work can compete for state honors in one (or more) of these 3 areas: Community Service, Leadership, Project Mastery

•Apply Here for 4-H Club Excel Award (Scroll down to see the Application at the bottom of the page
•Tutorial Video (This is helpful! Please watch!)