For over 100 years, the 4-H Youth Development Program serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties has been preparing young people for careers in agriculture. As a part of University of Illinois Extension, 4-H has always been in a unique position to take cutting edge agricultural research into local communities – and this legacy continues today!
Now, in partnership with Illinois State University’s Center for Math, Science, and Technology, local youth have the opportunity to assist with this cutting edge research in the 4-H Cover Crop Scientist Special Interest (SPIN) Club. This new SPIN Club will allow youth to investigate the role that cover crops can play in our ecosystems and our economy. Participants will dissect plants, conduct soil experiments, explore biodiesel, take a field trip to real biology labs, and more! Plus, 4-H is a great way for young people to make new friends, build their leadership skills, and make a difference in their community.
This program is supported by the IPREFER project (Integrated Pennycress Research Enabling Farm and Energy Resilience), a grantee of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any young person, age 10-14, is welcome to join. Meetings will be held at the Farmington Fire Station (49 N Cone St, Farmington, IL) from 10-11:30am. Meeting dates are as follows: Mar 21, Mar 28, Apr 4, Apr 18, Apr 25, and Apr 26 (field trip).
To learn more about joining 4-H or the 4-H Cover Crop SPIN Club, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/fmpt or call 309.347.6614
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About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.
For Further Information Contact:
Emily Schoenfelder – 4-H Youth Development Educator, Serving Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Counties