OREGON, Ill.— From fairgrounds to classrooms, community gardens to robotics labs, 4-H youth in Ogle County are proving they’re not just ready for the future, they’re Beyond Ready. During National 4-H Week, celebrated Oct. 5–11, 2025, local clubs will share how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change.
As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers 6 million young people nationwide with hands-on learning experiences through clubs, camps, school programs, and community events. Through the Beyond Ready initiative, 4-H will help prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030. In Ogle County, 4-H offers numerous opportunities for youth to develop public speaking skills, lead community service projects, raise livestock, explore technology in the workplace, and more.
“4-H gives our youth a space to grow into leaders who care deeply about their community and future. We see that every day in the way they show up to learn and lead,” said 4-H Program Coordinator Jodi Baumgartner.
Ogle County 4-H and its team of educators, volunteers, and mentors deliver 4-H programs that help youth learn through hands-on experiences. From showcasing their projects at the county fair or planting a garden to donate produce to local communities, youth are learning skills such as teamwork, resilience, and communication—skills that will serve them in their career and for life.
“At a time when young people are navigating more uncertainty than ever, 4-H offers them a place to grow, lead, and find their spark,” said Jill Bramble, President & CEO of National 4-H Council. “Through 4-H, youth gain real-world skills and experiences to help them become confident leaders who are resilient, confident, and Beyond Ready for the future.”
During National 4-H Week, 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters will wear green, participate in community service projects, and share their stories on social media using #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek.
To learn more about local 4-H programs or get involved, contact the Ogle County Extension Office at 815-732-2191 or visit us at https://extension.illinois.edu/bdo/4-h-ogle-county.
ABOUT 4-H: 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs reach nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. Through the Beyond Ready national initiative, 4-H aims to increase that number to ten million youth annually by 2030. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to have the goal of being a leader; two times for likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose; and three times more likely to participate in community service. .
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.