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.
Looking for specific 4-H information?
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.
2025 Livingston County 4-H Show Book
2025 Livingston County 4-H Show Schedule
2024 Livingston County 4-H Show Schedule
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.
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.
Exhibits need to be entered in FairEntry by June 10. The FairEntry system is open now. Log in here.
Beef
Horse
Lamb and Goat
Swine
| Livingston County 4-H is pleased to announce the Awards and Recognition Program for 2024. 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. |
Experience Awards - Deadline October 1, 2024
Record Book Award - Deadline October 1, 2024
Applying for the Record Book Award requires both of the following two items:
Other Awards - Deadline October 1, 2024
Illinois 4-H Scholarship - Deadline November 1, 2024
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.
Deadline October 1, 2024
For the 2023-2024 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:
Clubs may choose to submit on the county level, submit for the state award, or both.
Application deadlines:
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 October 1, 2024. This scholarship is generously funded by the Livingston County Education Association and the University of Illinois Extension.
State 4-H site for additional state awards can be found on the Illinois 4-H Website
2023-2024 Newsletters - Coming soon!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
101 Mumford Hall (MC-710)
1301 W. Gregory Dr.
Urbana, IL 61801
Email: extension@illinois.edu
