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State 4-H Office

Blog Posts

Art brushes on a palette
Read article: Build creative confidence and find joy in the artistic process for youth
Build creative confidence and find joy in the artistic process for youth
Creating art for youth can provide a variety of benefits ranging from stress relief, self-expression, mindfulness, problem-solving skills, instilling...
Youth admire art in a museum.
Read article: Make art appreciation a lifelong adventure: tips for visiting an art museum with youth
Make art appreciation a lifelong adventure: tips for visiting an art museum with youth
Visiting an art museum or art related exhibition for the first time can be exciting, overwhelming, and maybe even a little intimidating.  To set...
Farm road.
Read article: Start in Reverse
Start in Reverse
The Jasper County soil wasn’t the same color soil as I was used to back at our garden in central Illinois, but it was the homeplace of my beautiful...
A giant blue ribbon.
Read article: Here comes the judge, as all is "fair" in love and 4-H
Here comes the judge, as all is "fair" in love and 4-H
The final school bell rings and sixth grade is over! Colton bolts for the door and into the warm, bright sunshine of summer. He feels a sense of...

News Releases

Grady Shaffer and coaches.
Illinois 4-H member shines at National Poultry and Egg Conference
LOUISVILLE, KY – Grady Shaffer, a Illinois 4-H member from Adams County, showcased his poultry expertise on a national stage at the 2024 National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference, held Nov. 21 in Louisville, Kentucky. Grady competed among top 4-H youth from across the country,...
Team picture and Allison Burrs picture.
Illinois 4-H Hippology Team earns champion title
LOUISVILLE, KY -- The Illinois 4-H State Hippology team showcased their extensive equine knowledge at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup, securing the title of 2024 Hippology champions. Their expertise was tested across a range of topics, including breed identification and evaluation,...
Senior winners pose with banners.
4-H Livestock Skillathon prepares youth for careers in animal agriculture
Urbana, Ill. – Sixty 4-H youth participated in the State 4-H Livestock Skillathon in the Stock Pavilion on University of Illinois campus. Participants went through the contest and then participated in a learning workshop to better prepare for next year’s contests in the summer and fall. ...