ST. CHARLES, Ill. – The Kane County Fair in July marked the culmination of the latest 4-H year with exhibits, animal shows, and activities where 4-H members demonstrated 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,” said Erin Morse, the new Kane County 4-H program coordinator for University of Illinois Extension. “Through projects and club activities, 4-H members learn to communicate, make decisions and plans, manage time, and work both independently and with a team.”
In 4-H, kids and teens can explore dozens of projects in seven areas of study – animal science; career and leadership; civic engagement; creative and cultural arts; environmental sciences; gardening, agriculture, and food access; healthy living; and STEM.
“Through 4-H, I have grown my leadership skills, my knowledge, and built lifelong friendships,” said Autumn Kriegel, a longtime member of Burlington Ag 4-H Club, who is heading off to college this fall. “4-H has given me my favorite week of the year, Kane County Fair, and I feel 4-H also prepared me for my next chapter.”
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 2025-26 Kane County 4-H Kick-Off will be 5:30 to 7 p.m. October 1 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles. To learn more or join the interest list, go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.
2025 Kane 4-H show award sponsors include: A Bit More 4-H Club; Arends Hogan Walker LLC; Ashton Animal Clinic; Blain's Farm and Fleet of Elgin; In Honor of Jodi Borger; Paul and Doris Braddock; Burlington Ag 4-H Club; C and C Mulch and More; Chrzaszcz Family; The Charles Coffey Family; Country Cousins Unit of KCAHCE; Dorn Group Inc.; Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America; Engel Cattle Farms; Environmental Matting Solutions, LLC; Fidler Farms – Ron and Deanna Fidler; Don and Chris Fidler; Joe and Lara Fidler; Fox Valley Veterinary Clinic – North Aurora; Goodrich Farms; Haviland Family Honey Farm; In Memory of Sister Ellie Hoffman; Judy Konen Hysell; Horton Farms Shorthorns; Michele Horton, DDS; Kane County Farm Bureau Foundation; Kennedy Unit – Kane County HEA; In Memory of Delbert Klussendorf; In Memory of Ray Russell; Kneaded by Christina; Huckleberry’s Pet Parlor; Roy and Brandy Kittinger; Jim Koen Memorial; Kriegel Show Team; Lenkaitis Holsteins; Long Farms – John and Nan Long; Michael and Carol McKellar; Panek Family Memorial; Peters Electric and Technology, Inc; Plato Center HCE; Bev Popp; Nellie Ramm Memorial, Bob Ramm Memorial; Ramm Farms, Inc.; Red Roses Farm; Russell Family Memorial; Stohlquist Show Pigs; The Challengers 4-H Club, Marvin and Marilyn Straub; Jerry D. Webb; and The Write Stuff.
The full 2025 Kane County Fair 4-H show results may be found here.
Kane County 4-H'ers in action
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.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.