4-H in McLean 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.

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.

Join McLean County 4-H

Local Events, Workshops, and Deadlines

2023 Fair and 4-H Show Book

Check out the 2023 McLean County Fair and 4-H Show Book! You can find information about all of the projects you can take to the 4-H show!

McLean County 4-H Shooting Sports

Click here for more information about McLean 4-H Shooting Sports, including Archery, Shotgun, Air Rifle/Pistol and Outdoor Skills.

Records, Awards, and Scholarships Timeline

Click here to view timelines, application links, and responsibilities for records and award applications!

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.

ZSuite Enrollment FairEntry LMW 4-H

Project Books PDFs

Click the accordion to view the project books that are available online for free.

Project Book PDFs

McLean 4-H Resources

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 from the club leader on September 15.

Need help filling out records? Check out our record book guidance document.

Illinois State 4-H Awards

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 OPEN, deadline to submit is Monday, April 1, 2024
- HCE Scholarship Application
- Consideration Info Sheet
Mosbacher 4-H Educational Scholarship: Applications CLOSED, check back summer 2024.
- Mosbacher 4-H Educational Scholarship Application
George E. Holder 4-H Scholarship: Applications CLOSED, check back summer 2024.
- George E. Holder 4-H Scholarship Application
H.O.R.S.E. Education Committee Scholarship: Applications CLOSED, check back summer 2024.
- H.O.R.S.E. Education Committee Scholarship Application

Leader of the Year Nomination: Applications CLOSED, check back summer 2024.

Leader of the Year Nomination Form

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!

2022-2023 Recognition of Excellence tabloid

Member and Leader Resources

Additional Member and Leader Resources:

Forms for Clubs

Access the End of Year Wrap-Up Checklist
View the Club Directory Update Form
View the Annual Financial Statement
View the Annual Financial Statement for Checking Accounts
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
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.

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!

2023 McLean County 4-H Show

View the 2023 McLean County Fair & 4-H Show Book
View the 2023 McLean County 4-H Show Schedule

FairEntry

Projects need to be entered in FairEntry by June 30
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 Sky Holland

Animals

Animals:

Access the virtual YQCA training. This training needs to be completed annually.
Earn your QAEC Certification here. This training is a once in a lifetime training, if you have completed it for all the species that you will show you do not need to take it again. The exhibitor must have written documentation providing ownership or lease of the animal being shown. (This page asks for a token, however, you can simply hit 'next' to continue)
General Animal Lease Form
McLean County Pride Form
2023-2024 Livestock Ownership Deadlines

Beef