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 Events, Workshops, and Deadlines

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Livestock Ownership Deadlines
Livestock Ownership Deadlines
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Livestock weigh-in information
Livestock weigh-in information

Livestock Certifications

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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). In person training is scheduled for Spring 2024.
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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. The online training is being updated and will be available soon.

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 2023-2024!

 

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.

Records and Awards

 

Livingston County 4-H is pleased to announce the Awards and Recognition Program for 2023. 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

Experience Awards - Deadline October 2, 2023

Record Book Award - Deadline October 2, 2023

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

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

 

Other Awards - Deadline October 2, 2023

 

    • 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, 2023
    Electronic Submission by 4-H Member
     


    Sustaining the Future Award - Deadline January 31, 2024
    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.

     

    Officer Awards

    Deadline October 2, 2023

    • 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

     

    Club and Community Awards

    Livingston County 4-H Club Awards - County Level - Deadline October 2

    Livingston County Club of the Year

    Club Community Service Award

    4-H Alumni Award
     

     

    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

    Newsletters and Updates

    2023-2024 Newsletters

    Leader Resources

    Officer Training Resources

    Treasurer Book

    Secretary Book

    Reporter Form

    Fundraising Approval Form

    Long Term Spending Plan

    Club Organization Sheet

     

    Fairs and Shows

    2023

    Signup for General Project judging times

    2023 Livingston County 4-H Show Book 

    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. 

    FairEntry

    Exhibits need to be entered in FairEntry by June 10. The FairEntry system will open in May 2024.

    Livestock:

    • 2024 Livestock Ownership Deadlines
    • Access the virtual YQCA training. This training is required for those with beef, dairy, goat, sheep, and swine. YQCA certification needs to be completed annually.
    • Earn your QAEC Certification here. This training is for members in cat, dog, horse, poultry, rabbit, and small pets project areas and must be completed only once during a 4-H members time in 4-H. The training site page asks for a token, however, you can simply hit 'next' to continue.   

    Beef

    • State Fair Beef Nomination Form

    Horse

    Lamb and Goat

    • State Fair Lamb and Goat Nomination Form (live show only)
    • State Fair Premiere Lamb (carcass) Nomination Form

    Swine

    • State Fair Swine Nomination Form

    School Programs

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.

    State Resources for Illinois 4-H Members and Clubs

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    Explore Statewide Leadership Roles
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    Educational Programs
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    Club Meeting Resources

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    Member Projects
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    Volunteer with 4-H
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    Join the 4-H Alumni Association

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    Explore 4-H's Impact
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    Support 4-H

    Find the latest 4-H News on our Unit 4-H Page!

    We are here to help.

    Opportunity For All
    Livingston County 4-H is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and accessible environment for all members, past, present, and future.