4-H youth put their passion and hard work on display at the Henderson County Fair 4-H Project Show on July 26.

In 4-H, projects are a way for members to learn about what interest 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.  

 “You can tell our 4-H members have been working hard all year to learn about their areas of passion. Our volunteer project experts who spoke with our members about their projects at the general show remarked not only on the high quality of the projects exhibited but how well the members shared all they had learned. That kind of growth doesn’t take place while completing a single fair entry but over the course of the 4-H year under the guidance of many caring adult volunteers,” said 4-H Youth Development Educator, Shelby Carlson.

Youth who are awarded blue ribbons will have the opportunity to exhibit and compete at the state level during the Illinois State Fair 4-H General Project Show, August 12 in Springfield.

This year’s State Fair delegates from Henderson County include:
Civic Engagement: Ross Vancil
Clothing and Textiles: Karley Williams
Clothing and Textiles: Karley Williams
Crops: Jackson Timmerman
Family Heritage: Curtis Randall
Foods and Nutrition: Lillian Ruderman
Foods and Nutrition: Drake Vancil
Horticulture: Brecken Johnson
Interior Design: Lillian Ruderman
Natural Resources/Outdoor: Claire Day
Photography: Justine Schaley
Photography: Lucien Hinton
Photography: Ella McGinity
Shooting Sports: Ethan Mohr
Tractor: Curtis Randall
Tractor: Isaac Mohr
Visual Arts 3-D/Mixed Media: Curtis Randall
Visual Arts Chalk/Carbon/Pigment: Teegan Rodeffer
Visual Arts Chalk/Carbon/Pigment: Kirtsen Roberts
Visual Arts Clay: Brecken Johnson
Visual Arts Computer Generated: Rachel Leary
Visual Arts Food/Cake Decorating: Alexa Berlett
Visual Arts Metal: Lucien Hinton
Visual Arts Nature: Brecken Johnson
Visual Arts Paper: Elly Hinton
Visual Arts Scrapbooking: Jacqueline Evans
Visual Arts Wood: Gwendolyn McGinity
Woodworking: Elly Hinton
Woodworking: Drake Vancil

This year’s Best of Show includes:
Cat Care: Ellison Johnson
Clothing and Textiles: Karley Williams
Crops: Jackson Timmerman
Dog Care: Jacqueline Evans
Foods and Nutrition: Lillian Ruderman
Horticulture: Brecken Johnson
Photography: Justine Schaley
Visual Arts: Curtis Randall
Woodworking: Elly Hinton
Life in Henderson County: Emerson Forbes

To learn more about 4-H experiences in HendersonCounty, visit our website or contact the University of Illinois Extension office.

ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.

ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and 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.