The Bond County 4-H General Projects Show, held on July 22, showcased the creativity, dedication, and skill of local youth as they presented projects across more than 200 categories. From woodworking and photography to cooking and environmental science, members met with expert judges in a conference-style format to discuss their work and receive feedback.
Projects were evaluated using the Danish rating system, with each entry receiving a Blue, Red, or White ribbon. Blue signifies excellence, Red indicates areas for improvement, and White denotes a significant need for improvement. Judges also selected State Fair Delegates, Alternates, and Champions to represent the county at the Illinois State Fair on August 8.
In addition to the General Show, the 4-H Cat and Dog Show took place on Saturday, June 28 at the Bond County Fairgrounds. Participants demonstrated their knowledge and care in categories such as Dog Obedience and Showmanship.
Dog & Cat Show Results
4-H Cat Care:
- Grand Champion - Caroline Elders
- Reserve Champion - Allison Hemker
4-H Dog Care:
- Grand Champion - Emma Morgason
- Reserve Champion - Caroline Elders
4-H Dog Obedience
- Beginner Novice 1: Grand Champion - Lyla Tally
- Reserve Champion - Emma Morgason
- Beginner Novice 2: Grand Champion - Olivia Timmermann
- Jr Showmanship: Grand Champion - Lyla Tally
- Reserve Champion - Emma Morgason
- Sr Showmanship: Grand Champion - Olivia Timmermann
State Qualifiers: Lyla Tally, Emma Morgason, Olivia Timmermann
General Projects & Public Speaking Awards
- John Bohn, Jr. 50315: Vegetable Plates State Fair Delegate
- 50314: Vegetable/Fruit Display Champion, State Fair Delegate
- Madison Coulter 50268: Photography 1 State Fair Delegate Alternate
- 50320a: Veterinary Science 1 State Fair Delegate Alternate, Reserve Champion
- Nalon Coulter 50131: Aerospace Display State Fair Delegate
- 50178: Electricity 2 State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- Laura Craver 50202E: 4-H Cooking 301 Cake State Fair Delegate
- 50269: Photography 2 State Fair Delegate Alternate
- Natalie DeAngelo 50314: Vegetable/Fruit Display State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- 50208E: Food Preservation State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- 50208A: Food Preservation State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- Ransom Detmer 50506: Oral Interpretation State Fair Delegate Alternate
- 50357: Woodworking 1 Champion, State Fair Delegate
- 50188: Beekeeping 1 Champion
- 50320a: Veterinary Science 1 Champion, State Fair Delegate
- Caroline Elders 50202E: 4-H Cooking 301 Cake Champion, State Fair Delegate
- 50332: Food Decorating State Fair Delegate
- 50257a: Exploring Your Environment 1 State Fair Delegate
- Allison Hemker 50504: Original Works State Fair Delegate
- 50345: Scrapbooking - Beginning Champion, State Fair Delegate
- 50270: Photography 3 Champion, State Fair Delegate
- 50251: Leadership 3 Champion, State Fair Delegate
- Hunter Hemker 50504: Original Works State Fair Delegate Alternate
- 50306: Tractor A State Fair Delegate
- Ezra Jefferson 50196: Floriculture Display State Fair Delegate
- James Lawler 50357: Woodworking 1 State Fair Delegate Alternate
- Ella Marcoot 50152C: Sewing 2 Sewn Clothing Champion, State Fair Delegate
- Nora Marcoot 50333: Food Decorating State Fair Delegate, Inspire Award
- 50268: Photography 1 State Fair Delegate
- Mikaela Miller 50268: Photography 1 State Fair Delegate Alternate
- 50208D: Food Preservation Champion, State Fair Delegate
- Emma Morgason 50145: Civic Engagement 1 State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- 50503A: Illustrated Speech Champion, State Fair Delegate
- 50268: Photography 1 State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- Mayzee Reinacher 50152B: Sewing 2 Sewn Non-Clothing Reserve Champion
- 50346: Scrapbooking - Intermediate State Fair Delegate, Inspire Award
- 50268: Photography 1 Inspire Award
- 50358: Woodworking 2 State Fair Delegate Alternate, Inspire Award
- 50201B: 4-H Cooking 201 Scones State Fair Delegate
- Ashlyn Richards 50503A: Illustrated Speech State Fair Delegate
- Lyla Tally 50264: Wildlife 2 State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- Charlie Tompkins 50357: Woodworking 1 State Fair Delegate
- Lauren Tompkins 50336a: Chalk/Carbon/Pigment State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
- Wyatt Trapp 50262: Sportfishing 3 State Fair Delegate
- Ben Young 50503A: Illustrated Speech State Fair Delegate Alternate
Cloverbud Participants (Ages 5–7)
Tucker Lurkins, Mikenzie Miller, Arthur Pruitt, John Pruitt, Joseph Pruitt, Elena Richards, and Luke Young participated in non-competitive exhibitions, showcasing their early interest in 4-H.
Looking Ahead
State Fair Delegates had the opportunity to present their projects at the Illinois State Fair on Friday, August 8, joining 4-H members from across the state. Additionally, those who earned Champion, Delegate, or Alternate honors are invited to the Show of Champions, held this year in Clinton County on the evening of September 4.
For more information about 4-H programs or upcoming events, please contact the Illinois Extension Office in Bond County at 618-664-3665.
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.