4-H In Livingston County

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4-H In Livingston 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.

Local Workshops and Events

Enroll in 4-H with ZSuite

Stay involved with 4-H now and officially enroll in ZSuite. Need help finding a club? Contact the Livingston County 4-H team.

Learn more

4-H Show Book

The 2026 4-H Show Book is now live and available for members and families to review. This resource provides important information on project requirements, class guidelines, and show expectations for all project areas.

View Show Book

Information At-A-Glance

Looking for specific 4-H information?

How to enroll in Livingston County 4-H?

Exciting news! We're waiving 4-H Enrollment Fees for 2025-2026!

Go to 4h.zsuite.org. Create a household profile, then enroll your member.
For step-by-step instructions or a video to walk you through the process, visit this helpful site.

Reminder: 4-H is always open to join all year and anytime with waiver opportunities available upon request.
Fee Waiver Form - Cost should never be a barrier to participation in 4-H. If you need a fee waiver for a program or event, please complete this form and submit to the Livingston County Extension Office at 1412 S. Locust St., Pontiac

Questions about enrolling in 4-H, selecting projects, ordering project books, and volunteering?
Contact the Livingston County Extension Office at 815-842-1776.

Fairs and Shows

2026

2026 Livingston County 4-H Show Book

2026 Livingston County 4-H Show Schedule

2025

2025 Livingston County 4-H Show Book

Signup for General Project judging times

Livingston County 4-H Exhibit Report - If unable to attend conference judging, youth may complete this Exhibit Report and have their exhibits judged.

What Project Books Do I Need?

The 4-H Project Book Selection Guide lists all of the 4-H projects that require a project book for completion, the project book name, and a link to access or purchase your needed project book.

4-H Project Book Selection Guide (Coming Soon)

FairEntry

Exhibits need to be entered in FairEntry by June 10. The FairEntry system is open now. Login to FairEntry here.

Need help navigating FairEntry? Here is a FairEntry tip sheet for families or watch this video on the entry process for families.

Livestock:

2026 Livestock Ownership Deadlines
YQCA: For 4-H members showing dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goats: Youth can certify online via the YQCA website. The online training cost $12, in person trainings cost $3. The Extension Office will send out in-person dates as they are scheduled. This certification is required each year.
QAEC: The Quality Assurance and Ethics (QAEC) training is required for 4-H members showing horses, rabbits, poultry, dogs and cats. You only need to take it once in your lifetime. The QAEC training can be accessed year-round in the Clover Academy section of the ZSuite Enrollment System. Access ZSuite here. Families can access directions for completing the course here.

Records and Awards

Livingston County 4-H is pleased to announce the Awards and Recognition Program for 2025. A variety of awards are available for members and clubs to apply for this year. Below is a listing of the county and state level awards. Please make note of the different application deadlines.

Member Awards

Information Cover Sheet - Include the cover sheet when submitting records and award applications to the Livingston County Extension office by the stated deadlines.
Livingston Recognition Guidebook - An overview of the recognition/award program

Experience Awards - Deadline September 15, 2026

Bronze, Silver, Gold - County Level
Diamond, Emerald Awards - State Level
Note: Visit the Illinois 4-H Experience Award Website for complete information about the award, application, and a helpful tip sheet. You may also wish to review the How to Score Your Experience Award Application

Record Book Award - Deadline September 15, 2026

Applying for the Record Book Award requires both of the following two items:

My Activities Record Sheet
At least one 4-H Project Record Sheet (see options below) or Livestock Record Book

Other Awards - Deadline September 15, 2026

Outstanding 1st Year Member
I Dare You Award - The award recognizes youth ages 15-18 years old who strive to be their personal best and make a positive difference in their schools, youth groups, 4-H clubs, and communities.

State 4-H Awards

Illinois 4-H Scholarship - Deadline November 1, 2025
Electronic Submission by 4-H Member

Sustaining the Future Award - Deadline January 31, 2025
Electronic Submission by 4-H Member
The purpose of this award is to recognize 4-H members who have exemplified outstanding leadership within the agricultural industry and a desire to remain engaged.

Application

Officer Awards

Deadline September 15, 2026

Secretary - Submit Secretary Book
Treasurer - Submit Treasurer Book
Reporter - Submit the reporter forms for the club's meetings and news articles submitted to the local paper (if applicable)
Historian - Submit club scrapbook of the activities from the year
President – Nomination/Reference letter from leader
Vice President – Nomination/Reference letter from leader

Club and Community Awards

4-H Alumni Award

For the 2025-2026 4-H Year, we are asking club leaders to fill out the State 4-H Club EXCEL application for the club of the year and/or club community service awards. 4-H Clubs that EXCEL in their work can compete for state honors in specific award areas. Application Process Complete the Illinois 4-H Club Award Application in one (or more) of these 3 areas:

Community Service
Leadership
Project Mastery

Clubs may choose to submit on the county level, submit for the state award, or both.
Application deadlines:

COUNTY – September 15th
STATE – October 1st (online submission) – Must let local office know of the submission.

Livingston County 4-H Scholarship

We are pleased to introduce a new Livingston County 4-H Scholarship! This scholarship serves to reward Livingston County 4-H members/recent alum who have exhibited outstanding leadership, citizenship, and community service during their 4-H career. Deadline for submission to the office is September 15, 2026. This scholarship is generously funded by the Livingston County Education Association and the University of Illinois Extension.

Livingston County 4-H Scholarship

State 4-H site for additional state awards can be found on the Illinois 4-H Website

4-H Clubs in Livingston County

Club Directory

Map of Clubs

Leader Resources

Officer Training Resources

Treasurer Book

Secretary Book

Reporter Form

Fundraising Approval Form

Donation Approval Form

Long Term Spending Plan

Club Organization Sheet

Livestock Certifications

YQCA Certification

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals

YQCA is an annual training is required for 4-H members who plan to show their dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, sheep, and/or goats. Youth may complete the required YQCA certification online ($12) or at an in-person training ($3). Next in-person training TBD.

QAEC Certification

Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification -

QAEC is a free training for members in cat, dog, horse, poultry, rabbit, and small pets project areas and must be completed only once during a members time in 4-H.

School Programs

Butterfly Program

Our school butterfly program offers an interactive session on the life cycle of butterflies, butterfly anatomy, and the importance of pollinators. Sessions are led by 4-H staff and each classroom receives a cup of caterpillars to raise and release, as well as classroom resources. View our Butterfly Adventures video series.

Level: 4th grade, but can be tailored to other grade school levels.

Contact acorban@illinois.edu to request this program.

Your Thoughts Matter

Mental health is just as important as physical health. This 6-lesson series is designed for junior high and early high school students and focuses on learning more about mental health, why it is important to overall well-being, and steps that promote understanding and action.

Level: 7th through 9th grades.

Contact acorban@illinois.edu to request this program.

Mindful Me

The Mindful Me program for 5 to 8 year olds aims to promote mindful practices that lead to improvements in managing one’s own goals, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and mindful eating practices. This is a 5-part workshop series with sessions focusing on affirmations, feelings, mood management, and quiet listening.

Level: K through 2nd grades.

Contact acorban@illinois.edu to request this program.

Ready4Work

Ready4Work is a workforce readiness program that teaches life skills necessary to increase the number of qualified applicants for the workforce in the United States. This curriculum will focus on how youth can build their resumes and cover letters, dressing for success, interviewing skills, career planning, social media etiquette, time management and more.

Level: freshman through senior in high school.

Contact acorban@illinois.edu to request this program.

Cloverbuds in the Classroom

Cloverbuds in the Classroom is designed for kindergarten and first grade students to explore a variety of STEAM related topics. Teachers may request monthly lessons that go along with specific topics from their classrooms or stand alone activities to enhance their current schedule. An example of recent sessions include "Diggin' Those Dinosaurs."

Level: Kindergarten and 1st grade.

Contact acorban@illinois.edu to request this program.

Unlock Ag Innovations Challenge

The 4-H Unlock Ag Innovations Challenge is a series of challenges using the “escape room” format. Through a series of interactive, hands-on activities, participants will explore a variety of ag innovations such as selective breeding, GPS/GIS, drones, and the evolution of agriculture. In small teams, students will work through scenarios to solve situations that farmers face. Aligned with NGSS standards.

Level: 4th through 8th grade.

Contact acorban@illinois.edu to request this program.