News Releases

pigs with 4-H logo
Illinois 4-H Skillathon Team Crowned National Champions
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Illinois 4-H Livestock Skillathon Team recently topped 20 teams from across U.S. to bring home the National 4-H Livestock Skillathon Champion title. The contest was held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock...
trophy and 4H logo
Illinois 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl Team named fourth in the nation
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Illinois State 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl Team was named fourth in the nation at the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky.   ...
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Illinois 4-H staff honored with national service awards
MADISON, Wis. – Three University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development staff recently received national recognition from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP). Amy Henschen, Shelby Carlson, and Myla...
young people looking at book
Teens take on new challenges as statewide healthy living ambassadors
URBANA, Ill. – Nine Illinois teens stand ready to take on new challenges as they begin their work on the 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador (HLA) team. The HLA team is comprised of 4-H members ages 13-19 who were chosen for their ability to lead, mentor, and teach in order to inspire others...
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New project to boost youth health data literacy skills
URBANA, Ill. – A project to increase the health data literacy of youth has received funding through the University’s Extension Collaboration Grant Program. Assistant professor Rachel M. Magee will lead the project, "Health Data Literacy Ambassadors," with associate professors Catherine Blake and...
4-H youth help reach those in need locally
URBANA, Ill. – 4-H is invested in feeding hungry families, and youth are leading the way. The 4-H Food Advocacy Grants program is aimed at helping youth become food advocates right in their own communities. The grants provide financial support to youth-led projects aimed at increasing...
winning rifle club
Team attitudes prevail at youth rifle competition
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H rifle shooters from Illinois gathered to compete in small bore rifle and air rifle competition at the 2022 4-H State Rifle Shoot held at Central Illinois Precision Shooters on Oct. 8. The rifle shooting sports discipline involves both precision...
trophy with 4-H logo
Illinois 4-H’er selected as runner up for national 4-H award
LITCHFIELD, Ill. – Elaan Bader from Litchfield is a runner up for the 2023 4-H Youth in Action Award for Agriculture. Bader is recognized nationally for her dedication to pollinator education and environmental benefits. Elaan attributes the spark she has for agriculture and the global...
winners of 4-H shotgun contest
Teen competitors enjoy fun, fellowship on the range
BUNKER HILL, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H shotgun shooters from Illinois gathered to shoot a full 100 rounds of trap shooting at Brittany Shooting Park near Bunker Hill on Sept. 24. Sixty-four participants competed at this year’s event. While fall is a busy season for most youth,...
4-H archery winners
Teen competitors 'aim' for fun
PEKIN, Ill. – The best teenage 4-H archery shooters from the state competed recently at the State 4-H Archery competition held Sept. 17 in Pekin. Forty-seven shooters, alongside 4-H volunteers, spent a full day on the range shooting at three different scoring events including 3-D archery, field...
group of 4-H volunteers honored
Outstanding volunteers honored at State Fair ceremony
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Outstanding 4-H volunteers were celebrated as part of the 2022 class of the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame at a ceremony held as part of the 4-H General Project Show at the Illinois State Fair...
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Illinois 4-H invites alumni to join 4-H history project
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois 4-H is proud of the rich history of 4-H and the network of 4-H alums near and far. Alums of the Illinois 4-H program share a unique bond with over 25 million Americans across the country. Illinois 4-H has launched a new initiative for the Illinois 4-H History...
Pictured (L to R): Drew Lueking, Clinton County, Alaina Dinderman, Stephenson County, and Alaina Dinderman, Stephenson County
Educational contest increases knowledge of the dairy industry
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The 2022 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award program was held August 20 at the Illinois State Fair. Twenty 4-H dairy project members from across Illinois took part in the event, which is held each year to create an educational activity that promotes youth development, career...
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Youth dog show competition sees record high entries
DIXON, Ill. – Youth from across the state competed for top honors at the State 4-H Dog Show held at the Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center in Dixon on Aug. 27. A record 204 youth competed in this year’s competition. “I attribute the large turnout...