The Illinois 4-H Foundation has the privilege of honoring extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers, and former 4-H staff at the State Fair every year. This year, Edgar County’s own Brad Cash received this honor.

Raised on a rural farm, Cash joined the Bell Ridge Ag 4-H Club in 1968, ultimately showing as many as 32 projects his senior year of high school.  After aging out of 4-H he followed in his parents footsteps, and became the adult leader of the same club, where he has served for 41 years.

Brad Cash is known to many local 4-H’ers as the “rocket man”.  He wrote Edgar County’s 4-H Aerospace project program and is still teaching about Aerospace and judging in area County and 4-H fairs and 4-H competitions.

Giving back to the community comes natural to Cash.  He has been active in several local organizations including Knights of Columbus, Paris FFA Alumni Association, Edgar County 4-H Association, Edgar County 4-H Federation, Edgar County 4-H Pork Chop BBQ Fundraiser, and Paris Lions Club.

Cash says one of the greatest joys of being a 4-H leader was watching his son, Adam, complete ten years in 4-H, and joining his home club as an adult 4-H leader.

The Bell Ridge 4-H Club will have their first meeting of new 4-H year on Monday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H fairgrounds. All youth who are ages 8-18 as of September 1 of this year are welcome to join.  For more information about 4-H and other clubs in Edgar County, please visit our website at go.illinois.edu/cce or call University of Illinois Extension Office at 217-465-8585.