On June 12, 2024, the Winnebago County 4-H and Extension Foundation celebrated their 50th anniversary. That is 50 years of partnership providing financial support for Winnebago County 4-H and other University of Illinois Extension programs in the county!

The Foundation will continue the celebration into county fair season and at their Annual Dinner Auction on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Rockford. If you are a 4-H alumni or a current or past participant in Extension programs, the Foundation will see you at the Winnebago County Fair (August 14-18) and the Dinner Auction on October 1! For more information on the dinner auction, contact the foundation at winnebagofoundation2011@gmail.com or check their Facebook page by searching 'Winnebago County 4-H & Extension Foundation.'

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, board members, who are the daughter and granddaughter of a founding member, have designed an anniversary quilt. A raffle is underway, and the quilt winner will be announced at the October 1st auction.

Dedicated community leaders founded the Foundation to meet the needs of the 4-H Program in Winnebago County. The Foundation, whose Board has consistently been comprised throughout the years of 4-H club leaders and 4-H alums, raises, secures, and manages funds, diligently meets its fiduciary duties, and dedicates countless volunteer hours to serve the local community within Winnebago County.

4-H in Winnebago County grows today’s youth and prepares tomorrow’s leaders. For over 100 years, youth have completed hands-on projects in agriculture, health, science, and civic engagement in a positive environment and have been encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. The values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4-H.

Master Gardeners share unbiased, reliable, research-based information with home landscapers and gardeners, and encourage young people to enjoy the pleasures of flower and vegetable growing. Call the Extension Office helpline at (815) 986-4357 with your gardening or horticulture questions! 

The Local Foods & Small Farms program provides resources to help consumers and producers better understand their roles and responsibilities within the local food movement. Community and Economic Development programming helps community leaders, residents, and communities build the capacity to make timely and effective decisions, use information wisely, and engage the entire community to work together better.

To learn more about 4-H and Extension programs, please visit go.illinois.edu/jsw

Winnebago County 4-H & Extension Foundation, Inc. is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please contact us at winnebagofoundation2011@gmail.com if you would like to contribute. Employees and companies may also review our profile and contribute through Benevity.com.