MELVIN, Ill – 4-H youth demonstrated their hard work at the Ford County Fair 4-H Project Show on June 23.
In 4-H, projects are a way for members to learn about what interests them. Projects spark members to follow their passions, interests, and talents on a new path to career development, enjoyment, and belonging.
Project shows serve as learning opportunities for youth to interact with subject matter experts who serve as judges and provide guidance as youth work toward mastery in their project area.
The selected youth had the opportunity to exhibit and compete at the state level during the Illinois State Fair 4-H General Project Show from August 8-10 in Springfield.
This year’s State Fair delegates from Ford County include:
Crops, Soybeans: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Entomology-Beekeeping, Beekeeping 1: Oscar Pollard (Melvin Adventurers), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 201 Scones: Jake Bleich (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 301 Dinner Rolls: Caylynn Embry (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 301 Cake: Lily Giroux (Seek and Discover), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 101 Cookies: Mackenzie Kahle (Prairie Pacers), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 101 Cereal Bars: Adalyn Loschen (Walltown), State Fair Delegate
Health, Health Innovation: Elizabeth Giroux (Seek and Discover), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Horticulture: Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Herb Container Display: Kloey Walls (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Intercultural, Passport to the World - Individual: Caylynn Embry (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Natural Resources, Wildlife 1: Bryar Edwards (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Natural Resources, Exploring Your Environment 1: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers), State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
Theatre Arts, Theatre Arts 1: Adalynn Welborn (Seek and Discover), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Tractor, Tractor C: Hawken Kurtenbach (Prairie Pacers), State Fair Alternate
Tractor, Tractor B: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers), State Fair Delegate, Champion
Tractor, Tractor A: Owen Nelson (Walltown), State Fair Delegate, Reserve Champion
Visual Arts, Fiber: Natalie Aberle (Prairie Fire), State Fair Alternate
Visual Arts, Glass: Jolene Bleich (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Plastic Block Art: Keegan Hanson (Walltown), State Fair Delegate, Grand Champion
Visual Arts, Nature: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers), State Fair Alternate
Visual Arts, Metal: Felix Pollard (Melvin Adventurers), State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Division A on Canvas: Logan Rachiell (Seek and Discover), State Fair Delegate, Reserve Grand Champion
Visual Arts, 3-D Design/Mixed Media: Pollard Ruby (Melvin Adventurers), State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Nature: Ben Strebeck (Walltown), State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Fiber: Ella Strebeck (Walltown), State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Wood: Brogan Veatch (Walltown), State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Plastic Block Art: Wyatt Veatch (Walltown), State Fair Alternate
Woodworking, Woodworking 3: Jake Bleich (Prairie Fire), State Fair Delegate, Champion
If you’re interested in learning more about 4-H in Ford County, contact Sara Seyfert at sseyfert@illinois.edu or call our office at 217-300-2333.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and is 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 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.