Serving Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Stark Counties

Illinois 4-H offers a wide range of recognition opportunities for every type of 4-H involvement. DOWNLOAD THE OVERVIEW and learn about all the award opportunities. Deadline for individual awards for the 2019-20 4-H year is November 1, 2020. Club Award and Experience Award applications must be submitted from your local Extension office, so check with your office for their deadline! The Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future of Agriculture Award application and Illinois 4-H Scholarships are submitted electronically directly to the State 4-H office. This deadline is for the following: 4-H Experience Awards (Diamond and Emerald levels only), Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future of Agriculture Award Award, and Illinois 4-H Scholarships. Deadline for the club awards is October 1, 2020. 

• ENGAGE...is the basic recognition a member receives just by being part of the program. There isn't any application process to win... you simply get it for being you! This recognition happens at your club and county program and might include things such as a welcoming message in the newsletter, a shout out on social media, a 4-H membership card, t-shirt, or other special treat.
• EXPERIENCE...offers recognition for members who participate in activities and events. There is always lots you can do as a 4-H member ranging from club activities to national events. There is no limit to the number of members who can achieve each level... if you do the work, you get the award.
• EXCEL...is where competition kicks in. At this level, you will be competing against other 4-H members for a very limited number of top awards. There is a chance you may win, and there is a chance you may not win. Be sure you understand that before you apply.

State of Illinois 4-H Scholarships

The Illinois 4-H Program provides several different ways for members to apply for educational scholarships. All of the following scholarship programs are available on a competitive basis. You can apply and get more information online at this link http://4h.extension.illinois.edu/members/scholarships

Illinois 4-H Legacy of Leadership Scholarship:

• This merit-based scholarship is awarded to eight Illinois 4-H members annually. Scholarships are $1,000 and can be used to pay for any college-related costs. Scholarships are paid directly to the educational institution of the member’s choice. Members must be seniors in high school or freshman in college, be currently enrolled in the Illinois 4-H program, and must have been a 4-H member for a minimum of 5 years. Applications must be submitted to the State 4-H Office postmarked by November 1.

Illinois 4-H Livestock Scholarship:

• This merit-based scholarship is awarded to one Illinois 4-H member annually. The scholarship is for $1,000 and is paid directly to the college of the winner’s choice. Members must be seniors in high school or freshman in college, be currently enrolled in the Illinois 4-H program, must have been a 4-H member for a minimum of 5 years, must have participated in Illinois 4-H livestock projects, and must be seeking a degree in a livestock-related field. Applications must be submitted to the State 4-H Office postmarked by November 1.

Superior Young Producer Scholarship Program:

• While not sponsored by the Illinois 4-H program, this scholarship program is open to 4-H and FFA members who are enrolled in beef, sheep, swine, dairy, or horses. The program is sponsored by the Illinois State Fair. Three $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year in horses and dairy; nine scholarships are distributed among beef, sheep and swine project members. Contests are held during the Illinois State Fair show for each species. Members must compete in 3 to 4 individual segments that vary according to species: management test, skill-a-thon, judging contest, and/or meat identification or testing. Contestants must be 14 - 18 years of age to compete.

Rock Island County 4-H Scholarships

Rock Island County 4-H Bert Blood Scholarship Applications for High School Seniors and College Students (due March 20).

The Rock Island County Extension & 4-H Education Foundation and the Rock Island Rotary Club are co-sponsoring college/trade school scholarships for Rock Island County 4-H members and recent graduates. Rock Island County 4-H members who are seniors in high school are eligible to apply for one of three scholarships that will be awarded in the amounts of $1,500, $1,250 and $1,000. Rock Island County 4-H alumni who will be enrolled as sophomores, juniors and seniors in college or trade school and that have at least a 3.0 grade point average can apply for two $500 scholarships. All checks will be made out to the college or trade school to which the winners are enrolled. (Past college winners of the $500 scholarships are not eligible to win a 2nd time)

Select and DOWNLOAD the application in order to make the form fillable so you can complete it on your computer.

• Bert Blood 4-H HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR high school scholarship application
• Bert Blood 4-H COLLEGE scholarship college application

Applications and reference forms are due to the Rock Island County Extension office, 321 W 2nd Ave. Milan, IL 61264 by March 15. 

• You can also pick one up at the Rock Island County Extension office in Milan, IL.
• Be sure to include the following: (1) Application including the 400 words or less personal statement about your 4-H experiences. (2) Two sealed reference evaluation forms. (3) High school or college transcripts. (4) Form giving consent to release information.
• The scholarship applications ask about 4-H experience, community service and career plans. The committee is interested to hear about the lessons and impact that being a part of 4-H has made on the applicant’s life and future goals. There is also a 4-H reference form that goes with the application and that should be completed by two references (ie: 4-H leader, Extension/4-H staff, coach, teacher, clergy, boss or other mentor/supervisor).
• The top high school finalists will be asked to prepare a five-minute presentation about their project to be given at a Rock Island Rotary Club lunch meeting on a Tuesday in April that will be held at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island from 11:30 am – 1 pm. 
• The Bert Blood Scholarship was established in 1972 as a memorial for Albert M. Blood for Rock Island County 4-H members.  Mr. Blood served as chairman of the agricultural committee of Rock Island’s Rotary Club, Retail Bureau and Chamber of Commerce for many years, helping to promote county/city relations.  Funds for the Rock Island County 4-H scholarships are funded in part by the Lois Mitchell 4-H endowment.
• If you have any questions, contact Tracy Fowler-Pestle, 4-H Program Coordinator at (309) 871-5032 or Becky Buckrop, Marketing and Local Fund Development Coordinator at (309) 756-9978.  Good luck!