MORRIS, Ill. — Farmers are the backbone of local communities. Agricultural professionals support people and create opportunities for the next generation. With the 2026 harvest well underway, local Illinois 4-H members showed their appreciation by packing and delivering care packages filled with treats to those working through one of agriculture’s busiest and most stressful seasons.
“4-H is growing a Beyond Ready generation, and farmers are at the heart of our communities,” said Brooke Katcher, University of Illinois Extension 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator, who added that the event is now in its fifth year. “That work starts with the people who feed us and help our communities thrive. Thanking farmers and agricultural professionals helps young people recognize those contributions and understand that they, too, have a role in caring for their communities.”
4-H members from the area packed bags filled with treats, including a water bottle, baked goods, cookies, snacks, and a thank-you note. Volunteers and 4-H members delivered bags to area grain elevators and in the field.
“My favorite part of harvest bags is the distribution aspect of it,” said Clair Anderson, a 4-H member from the Lisbon Town & Country 4-H Club. “I love to connect with the farmers and show them my appreciation for their hard work.”
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The appreciation of local youth comes as the 2026 harvest is well underway after an early delay caused by late planting and weather, according to the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau, which added that harvest can be a stressful time.
“There is a unique sense of pride in seeing a season’s worth of hard work coming together, but there is also a significant amount of pressure to get the crop out safely with the changing weather and uncertainty,” said Jenna Siegel, Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau manager. “Harvest is a stressful time of year, and a simple thank-you can remind agriculture professionals that their community appreciates what they do.”
According to the American Farm Bureau, studies show that the suicide rates among farmers are two-to-five times the national average.
“Farming is a high-pressure, high-stakes occupation. Between rising fuel and fertilizer prices, unpredictable weather, and fluctuating commodity markets, farmers face pressures that are beyond their control,” said Siegel. “The stress of the industry can take a toll both physically and mentally, especially when long hours leave little time for rest or connecting with others.”
While the industry is stressful, Illinois Extension says free resources are available to help:
- Free resources, including support groups and professional services, are available from the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center, a 12-state collaborative led by Illinois Extension. Resources can be found online at farmstress.org.
- The Illinois Farm Family Mental Health Voucher Program provides agricultural producers and their families free help from a certified mental health professional. You can learn more and request a voucher online at go.illinois.edu/FMH.
- Illinois AgrAbility offers education and assistance for farmers struggling with a disability or injury to help them continue working. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/AgrAbility.
“Behind every harvest are people, and events like these help us recognize how much farmers and their families give to our community,” said Siegel. “We reached a lot of people this year, and it was wonderful to see them smile during what can be a demanding time. Having young people show up to say thank you reminds ag professionals that their community cares about them.”
For the 4-H members involved, delivering those thank-yous was a chance to put their commitment to their community on full display:
“Giving back through activities like this gives 4-H members like me an opportunity to embody our pledge and ‘use our hands for larger service,’” said 4-H Member Clair Anderson.
For more information about 4-H in Kendall County, visit go.illinois.edu/Survey4Hdkk. For more information about 4-H in Grundy, Kankakee, or Will counties, visit go.illinois.edu/About4HGKW.
SOURCE: Brooke Katcher, 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator, Illinois Extension; Jenna Siegel, manager, Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau.
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, communications and marketing coordinator, Illinois Extension; Rosie Ralston, publicity and promotion associate, Illinois Extension.
MEDIA ACCESS: Images and cutlines can be downloaded for media use.
INTERVIEWS: Contact Anthony Warmack, warmacka@illinois.edu, or Rosie Ralston, rralston@illinois.edu, for specialist interviews.
ABOUT KENDALL-GRUNDY FARM BUREAU: The Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau is a grassroots, volunteer-led organization committed to promoting agriculture through education, advocacy, and community involvement. Serving rural and urban populations, they support farmers' well-being and the vitality of agricultural communities across northeastern Illinois.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
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 500 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 five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.