LINCOLN, Ill. – Local 4-H members showcased their knowledge and skills at the 2025 4-H Shows, earning awards across a variety of project areas.
This year’s events featured:
- Sangamon County: 218 live animal entries (June 29–30, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin)
- Sangamon & Menard Counties: 317 general project entries (June 29–30, Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin)
- Menard County: 115 live animal entries (July 16–19, Menard County Fairgrounds, Petersburg)
- Logan County: 461 live animal entries and 359 general project entries (July 28–31, Logan County Fairgrounds, Lincoln)
Each year, 4-H members choose projects in areas such as Animal Science, Creative Arts, STEM, Healthy Living, and more—learning independently and presenting their work at county shows.
“We enjoyed seeing so many wonderful entries this year,” said Youth Development Educator Carissa Davis. “We’re thankful for the volunteers, judges, and donors who made these shows possible.”
Sixty-four members from Sangamon and Menard Counties and thirty-seven from Logan County will advance to the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, August 10, in the Orr Building. The public is invited to view their exhibits alongside the top entries from across Illinois. Local members will also compete in the Junior Livestock shows.
Learn more about 4-H opportunities at extension.illinois.edu/lms/4-h-youth-development.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.