ST. CHARLES, Ill. – Each year, the Kane County Fair marks the culmination of the latest 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities where 4-H members demonstrate knowledge and skills, and of course, had fun.
4-H conference judging and show experiences provide youth with valuable presentation opportunities and helpful feedback to continue developing project skills for next year and life skills for the future.
“4-H experiences help members build skills to for the future,” said Erin Morse, the Kane County 4-H program coordinator for University of Illinois Extension. “Through individual projects and club activities, they learn to make decisions, communicate, manage time, and work both independently and with a team.”
In 4-H, kids and teens can explore a wide variety of projects, including animal science, career and leadership, civic engagement, creative and cultural arts, environmental sciences, healthy living, STEM, and gardening, agriculture, and food access.
“4-H has taught me how to win and lose, how to handle myself in a competitive environment, and how to teach and encourage others,” said Ethan Stohlquist, a longtime member of Burlington Ag 4-H Club. “Being a 4-H member has not only taught me lessons that I will apply to the rest of my life, but it has also enabled me to meet great people and make memories I will never forget,”
In addition to developing skills and relationships, 4-H members give back to their communities with service projects all year round. In turn, dozens of adult community members give back to 4-H by sharing their time and expertise to facilitate or judge at the shows or by sponsoring awards to recognize the youth achievements.
“We greatly appreciate the support of the Kane County Fair Association, and our 4-H superintendents, judges, volunteers, and award sponsors who give our 4-H youth this important experience,” said Morse. “4-H programs help young people gain a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and master project and life skills. The fair season brings it all together as we wrap up the 4-H year and look ahead to a new one in fall.”
The 2026-27 Kane County 4-H Kick-Off will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. To learn more or join the interest list, go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.
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.