State 4-H Office

My name is Allyson Aves, I am the fifth generation to be raised on my family’s dairy farm and a fourth generation 4-H member. It is truly an honor to represent  Illinois 4-H as the Illinois 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team president.  Being a part of this team as well as a member of 4-H and...

As summer turns into fall, it is important to adapt donations to the changing needs of those who will receive them. The return of school lunches and the reduced pressure placed on refrigeration systems to preserve food will be boons for families struggling with food insecurity, but it is important...

Illinois 4-H creates nearly 180,000 experiences for 4-H youth between the ages of 5-18 in all 102 Illinois counties. And 4-H empowers young people and creates a pathway of experiences for youth to explore topics that spark their interest whether that be in agriculture, STEM, community service, or...

Last spring I was on the Urbana-Champaign campus at the University of Illinois and heard that familiar “honk” of a Canada goose. I was nowhere near any water source that I knew of, but I know what a momma goose sounds like when she is rounding up her brood to march them to a destination she thinks...

Imagine celebrating the moments of a fun summer celebration - without your smartphone. Now, I am not suggesting you miss the great photo ops - by all means, take time to capture the memories to share later. The challenge arises when we disengage from the present moment to update our social media...

Summer days are filled with fun outdoor activities that include biking!  I remember riding my bicycle to visit friends, go to softball practice, and head to the local swimming pool. My bike was not only transportation for me – it made me happy.  Physical activity, like bike riding, is...

You may ask what is the 4-H Teen Teacher program? The University of Illinois Extension offers a 4-H Teen Teachers program for High School youth across Illinois. In this program, 4-H Teen Teachers develop leadership and teaching skills as they train, plan, and implement hands-on learning...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Did you know that 7 in 10 teens struggle with feelings of overwhelm, stress, anxiety, and depression? One way to help manage these difficult emotions is to practice self-care. Self-care is simply taking time to do something every day to help you relax, manage...

4-H Clubs looking for a service project during the Month of April might want to explore doing something for the military families living in their communities. 4-H clubs looking for a service project this spring should explore ways to support military local families during April which is the Month...