MELVIN, Ill. - The Ford County 4-H General Projects Show, held on June 15, showcased the creativity, dedication, and talents of local 4-H members as they presented projects spanning a wide variety of subject areas. From visual arts and photography to food, STEM, woodworking, and environmental science, youth met one-on-one with volunteer judges to share what they learned, demonstrate their skills, and receive constructive feedback. Judges also selected State Fair delegates, alternates, and county champions to represent Ford County at the Illinois State Fair in August.
If you are interested in learning more about 4-H in Ford County, contact Micaiah Owens at mlowens@illinois.edu or call the office at 217-300-2333.
Agronomy: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers) Champion, State Fair Delegate
Animal Science: Declan Kurtenbach (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Civic Engagement: Prairie Pacers Group Project, Champion, State Fair Delegate
Clothing and Textiles: Erin Lynch (Seeks and Discover), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Communications: Felix Pollard (Melvin Adventurers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Creating with Building Bricks, Creature: Keegan Hanson (Walltown), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Creating with Building Bricks, Scene/Storytelling: Wyatt Veatch (Walltown), Reserve Champion, State Fair Delegate
Creative Writing: Erin Lynch (Seek and Discover), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Entomology-Beekeeping, Beekeeping 2: Oscar Pollard (Melvin Adventures), Champion
Family Heritage: Natalie Aberle (Prairie Fire), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 201 Biscuits: Mackezie Kahle (Prairie Pacers), Champion 201, State Fair Delegate
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 301 Cake: Lilly Giroux (Seek and Discover), Grand Champion, Champion 301, State Fair Delegate
Foods and Nutrition, 4-H Cooking 101 Cookies: Abigail Haberkorn (Prairie Pacers), Champion 101, State Fair Delegate
Geology: Stori Ogden (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Health, Health Innovation: Lizzie Giroux (Seek and Discover), Champion
Horticulture: Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Herb Container Display: Kloey Walls (Prairie Fire), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Horticulture - Floriculture: Stori Ogden (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Intercultural, Passport to the World - Individual: Natalie Aberle (Prairie Fire), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Natural Resources: Cheyenne Cavanagh (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Photography: Tenley Kurtenbach (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Small Engines: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Tractor: JR McMillan (Prairie Pacers), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Veterinary Science: Kayleigh Berger (Prairie Fire), Champion, State Fair Delegate
Visual Arts, Chalk/Carbon/Pigment Division A on Canvas: Nora Hawn (Prairie Pacers), Champion, Grand Champion, State Fair Delegate
Woodworking, Woodworking 3: Wyatt Veatch (Walltown), Champion, State Fair Delegate
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 then 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 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.