4-H in McLean County
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.
What is 4-H?
The 4-H program is organized into clubs throughout the county, based on where members live or specific interests. SPIN (SPecial INterest) Clubs such as Shooting Sports and Robotics offer youth the opportunity to focus on a specific theme. Volunteer adult leaders help to lead the clubs and provide organization and adult supervision for the various club activities. They also help to advise the youth about educational opportunities, leadership, and citizenship development.
All youth ages 8 through 18 may enroll in a 4-H club. This age is determined by how old youth are on or before September 1 of the current year. Youth 5 through 7 years of age on or before September 1 of the current year may enroll in 4-H Cloverbud groups.
Local Events, Workshops, and Deadlines
Current Events
Waiving 4-H Enrollment Fees!
McLean County 4-H will again be waiving enrollment fees for the 2023-2024 4-H year! Enrollment will be on the same platform as last year, 4h.zsuite.org. If you already had an account, you will not need to create a new one this year. Below you can find resources to help you with the enrollment process.
- Re-Enrolling with ZSuite (Video Tutorial)
- Re-Enrolling with ZSuite (Step-By-Step Guide)
- New Family Enrollment Video (Video Tutorial)
- New Family Enrollment Guide (Step-By-Step Guide)
Volunteers must be enrolled and approved in ZSuite before you are able to host club meetings. Please only add adult profiles on ZSuite for adults that are planning on being volunteers.
McLean County General Projects Open Show
Click the accordion below to view the information about the McLean County General Projects Open Show.
General Projects Open Show Info
In 2024, McLean County will be hosting a General Projects Open Show for individuals 18 years old and older that are not currently enrolled in 4-H. This show will run from Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, at the McLean County Fairgrounds.
To register, go to FairEntry.com, create an account, and add your exhibits under the "General Projects Open Show" department. Project areas include; Florals/Gardening, Fiber Arts, Photography, Art, and Crops. You can view a full list of exhibit classes, rules, and exhibit requirements at go.illinois.edu/McLeanGeneralOpenShow.
Rules:
- Open to residents of any county that are 18 years old or older (cannot currently be enrolled in 4-H).
- Entries MUST be submitted online at FairEntry.com by July 15, 2024. Entries received after July 15 will be
not be accepted. - Limit of 3 entries per exhibitor.
- All entries must be the work of the exhibitor and original, with the exception of utilizing patterns in Fiber
Arts. - Exhibitors cannot enter projects previously entered in McLean County 4-H Show.
- Exhibits must have been completed within the past year, with the exception of classes C0100 and C0200.
- Exhibits should be prepped for display to protect from fair life but still be visible to public.
- Exhibits that are not suited for a family-oriented county fair will be disqualified and not displayed. The
McLean County Extension Office reserves final and absolute rights to determine if exhibits are following
these rules and regulations. - All exhibits must be accompanied by a 3”x5” notecard with the exhibitor’s name and class number.
- First and second place Community Choice Awards will be given in each department based on community
votes. There will be no monetary premiums.
McLean 4-H Resources
Fairs & Shows
Need Project Books?
Project books can be ordered on the Illinois Virtual Pop Up Shop on shop4-H.org. The Pop Up Shop is linked here!
Want to review the Spark Sheets instead? View them here!
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.
2024 McLean County 4-H Show
View the 2024 McLean County Fair & 4-H Show Book
View the 2024 McLean County 4-H Show Schedule
FairEntry
Projects need to be entered in FairEntry by June 15
Families must create a new FairEntry account this year due to the switch to ZSuite. Instructions on how to create a new account can be found in the Family Login for FairEntry Document.
Need Help selecting your projects? Click here!
Sponsoring
If you are interested in sponsoring awards at the McLean County 4-H Show, you can fill out the Sponsorship form here and return it to the McLean County Extension Office at 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704.
Interested in volunteering at the McLean County 4-H Show?
Contact Myla Munro
Animals
Animals:
- YQCA: For 4-H members showing dairy cattle, beef cattle, swine, sheep, and goats: Youth can certify online via the website https://yqcaprogram.org/. 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. ZSuite can be accessed at https://4h.zsuite.org/. Families can access directions for completing the course at https://go.illinois.edu/TakeQAEC
- General Animal Lease Form The exhibitor must have written documentation providing ownership or lease of the animal being shown.
- McLean County Pride Form
- 2023-2024 Livestock Ownership Deadlines
Beef
- 2024 State Fair Beef Nomination Form - Must be weighed, tattooed, and tagged on or between January 27th and February 29th, 2024. McLean County beef tattooing and weigh in will be on January 27th, 2024. RSVP to Sky Holland at Skylarh@illinois.edu with the youth name and amount of steer you will be bringing by January 25th, 2024.
Horse
- Horseshow Pattern books
- Horseshow Checklists
- Horseshow Guidelines
- Horse State Ownership Paperwork
- Horse County Ownership/Lease Paperwork
Lamb and Goat
- 2024 State Fair Lamb and Goat Nomination Form (live show only) - Must be nominated between March 15th and May 15th, 2024.
- 2024 State Fair Premiere Lamb (carcass) Nomination Form - Must be nominated, weighed, and tattooed between March 15th and May 15th, 2024.
Swine
- 2024 State Fair Swine Nomination Form - Must be farrowed on or after February 10, 2024 and tattooed by April 15th, 2024.
Enrollments & Clubs
How Do I enroll in McLean County 4-H?
- Enroll in ZSuite, the 4-H online enrollment platform
- Visit the ZSuite Enrollment Guide
- View the ZSuite Enrollment Instructions Video
- View the ZSuite Re-Enrollment Guide
- View the ZSuite Re-Enrollment Instructions Video
- View the Adding Projects to Your ZSuite Account Guide
- View the County Project List for county level projects
- View the Project Selection Description Guide for help on what projects to add in ZSuite.
- Check out some Enrollment FAQ's
- Payment of $20 submitted at time of online enrollment or by cash or check sent to the to the McLean Extension Office, 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington IL. A Fee Waiver Form is also available.
New Family Resources:
- View the Club Directory
- Getting Started Guide
- New Family Orientations- Reach out to the McLean County Extension Office to request a new family orientation.
Records, Scholarships and Awards
Click here to view timelines, application links, and responsibilities for leaders and youth for records and award applications!
McLean County Project Records: Due to the office after being reviewed by the club leader on September 13.
- Need help filling out records? Check out our record book guidance document.
- Record book available here.
- Want to learn more about Project Records and Illinois State 4-H Awards? Click for records and awards overview.
McLean County Livestock Records
Scholarships
- HCE Scholarship: Applications CLOSED, deadline to submit is Monday, April 1, 2024
- HCE Scholarship Application
- Consideration Info Sheet
- Mosbacher 4-H Educational Scholarship: Applications OPEN until 11 pm August 28, 2024
- Mosbacher 4-H Educational Scholarship Application
- George E. Holder 4-H Scholarship: Applications OPEN until 11 pm August 28, 2024
- George E. Holder 4-H Scholarship Application
- H.O.R.S.E. Education Committee Scholarship: Applications CLOSED, deadline to submit an application is June 15th, 2024.
- H.O.R.S.E. Education Committee Scholarship Application
Leader of the Year Nomination: Applications-due Oct 18
Recognition of Excellence
View our annual Recognition of Excellence tabloid, where we get to show appreciation to our members and volunteers for all of their hard work and dedication to McLean 4-H throughout the year!
- 2023-2024 Taploid coming soon!
Member and Leader Resources
Additional Member and Leader Resources:
Forms for Clubs
Forms for Clubs
- Access the End of Year Wrap-Up Checklist
- View the Club Directory Update Form
- View the Annual Financial Statement for Checking and Savings
- View the Annual Financial Statement for Checking Account
- View the Annual Financial Statement for Savings Accounts
- View the Indication of Financial Activity Statement
- View the Secretary's Book
- View the Treasurer's Book for 2024-25
- View the Social Media Best Practices Guide
Cloverbud Leader Resources
Wisconsin 4-H has created a series of Cloverbud learning activities that can be used in a variety of settings, including 4-H club meetings, Cloverbud project meetings, day camps and afterschool programs!
You can access the Cloverbud Leader Resources and Activities here.
Each activity features a different 4-H project area and targets the development of age-appropriate life skills. While each of the activities could be used as stand-alone, they are grouped together for a year-long sequence of Cloverbud activities.