4-H Blogs | Illinois Extension

Teacher engaging with student with laptop

4-H provides teachers with positive youth development skills & resources, virtually

October 1, 2020

An unprecedented spring and summer, filled with COVID fears and cancellations, made it clear that the upcoming school year would be far from business as usual. The University of Illinois Extension 4-H educators Judy Schmidt and Emily Schoenfelder generally work within the sphere of non-formal...

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STEAM Coordinator shows page with fingerprints

STEAM activity and career exploration videos educate and connect with youth

September 3, 2020

Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programming in the University of Illinois Extension Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit may have looked different this summer, but one thing was still the same –kids were engaged in STEAM activities and career exploration. 4-H staff...

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Positive youth development continues through 4-H virtual shows

August 6, 2020

Local 4-Hers did not let the cancelation of the regular 4-H Shows stop them from exhibiting their 4-H projects with the same pride and skill development as they have shown in the past. Thanks to the hard work, creative thinking, and ingenuity of the University of Illinois Extension staff, 327 youth...

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4-H Embryology in the Classroom continues to grow with new and returning classrooms

July 8, 2020

Embryology in the Classroom has been a long standing part of University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H program and it continues to grow in classroom participation across Tazewell County. From 2010 to 2019, the number of classrooms participating in the program quadrupled from 8 to 32 classrooms....

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Extension programs continue through a variety of online venues

June 10, 2020

When Illinois’ stay at home order began in March, University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell (FMPT) Unit staff shifted to working remotely and modified their current programs to continue to meet the needs of our residents, businesses, and local governments. Illinois Extension...

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Handmade cards from 4-H youth sent to senior citizens

4-H members continue to serve others even during shelter-in-place and social distancing

June 10, 2020

“I pledge my hands to larger service...” is part of a pledge that 4-H members have said for many generations. Service to others is one of the main pillars of the 4-H program. 4-H members participate in service projects year-round through their clubs, county, and state-wide opportunities....

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4-H provides public speaking development at the club, county, and state levels

May 4, 2020

Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. You may not hear that word used very often but the fear is very common….except in 4-H alumni. 4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and speak confidently. It is an important life skill that lasts a lifetime. 4-H staff and volunteers in Fulton,...

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Mason County Kountry Kritters 4-H club meet for an intergenerational experience

May 4, 2020

Kountry Kritters 4-H Club in Mason County is one of many 4-H clubs throughout the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit that has made special efforts to connect 4-H club members with adults living in assisted living facilities. The University of Illinois 4-H youth development program recognizes...

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4-H volunteers Crista Hartstirn and Nancy Williams play integral role in successful programs

April 8, 2020

Volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program. Each year, University of Illinois Extension Fulton County 4-H selects two 4-H volunteers to recognize for their outstanding volunteer efforts. This year Crista Hartstirn of Fairview was honored as Fulton County 4-H Leader of the Year and Nancy...

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Teens help a senior citizen use an electronic device.

4-H Tech Changemakers teach digital literacy skills to adult community members

March 9, 2020

A new program called 4-H Tech Changemakers was launched in University of Illinois Extension, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit to empower youth to help close the broadband internet gap. This nationally led program is a partnership between Microsoft and National 4-H Council in which trained teens...

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