Woodford County 4-H

09/06/2026

100 Year Club Award - Congratulations to Congerville Wide Awake and Metamora Blue Ribbons!

These two Woodford County 4-H clubs were recognized at the Illinois State Fair this past weekend for their remarkable longevity and commitment to youth development.

Congerville Wide Awake and Metamora Blue Ribbons, both founded in 1921, were honored for surpassing the 100-year milestone.

For more than a century, these clubs have embodied the 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better," providing generations of young people with opportunities to learn, lead, serve, and grow. Their dedication has helped shape countless youth and strengthened their communities.

Congratulations to the members, volunteers, leaders, and supporters who have contributed to this incredible achievement!

09/01/2026

Something good is brewing! ☕

Each week, University of Illinois Extension will be sharing fresh insights through our Healthy Minds, Strong Communities social media series. From practical mental wellness tips and stress management strategies to helpful tools, resources, and everyday inspiration, we’re serving up simple ways to support a healthier mind and stronger community.

Join us as we explore small steps that can make a big difference in overall well-being.

✨ Look for weekly tips, resources, activities, and encouragement designed to help you thrive.

Always tune in to our page at ➡️ U of I Extension-Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties and our Instagram channel at ➡️ ilextension_LMW to follow along!

08/27/2026

Registration and state shoot rules are here: go.illinois.edu/StateShoots

The Illinois 4-H 2026 State Shoots registration is open!

Register anytime before August 31 through your 4-H ZSuite account for upcoming State Shoots! Junior Division is for youth ages 11-12 by September 1, and Senior Division is for youth ages 13-18 by September 1.

Air R***e: September 12, 2026, in Bloomington, IL
Archery: September 19, 2026, in Pekin, IL
Sh***un: September 26, 2026, in Bunker Hill, IL
Small Bore R***e: September 26, 2026, in Bunker Hill, IL
Small Bore Pistol: July-August, postal match

Registration and state shoot rules are here: go.illinois.edu/StateShoots

08/27/2026

🏆 Congratulations to all Woodford County 4-H members who represented our county at the Illinois State Fair!

We are incredibly proud of all participants and award winners for showcasing their knowledge, skills, and dedication. Your hard work paid off, and you represented Woodford County with excellence.

Way to go, 4-H members! 🍀💚

Benjamin McQuellon (Reserve Champion), Reagan Casey (Champion), Alaina Weigelt, Mya Krugger (Champion), Kinley Smith, Walker Martin (Champion), Harvey Schieber, Nathan Lamkin (Champion), Sebastian Hoekstra, Tate Harms (Champion), Blaine Weigelt (Champion), Grayson Fritz (Reserve Champion), Esther Kath (Reserve Champion), Elsie Schwind, Abby Guth (Reserve Champion), Alaina Follmer (Champion), Willow Martin, Vada Martin (Reserve Champion), Ryen Glacinski (Champion), Cauis Bulter (Inspire), Brendan Lamkin (Champion), Lola Stewart (Champion), Charlotte Krugger (Inspire), Nina Frietsch (Inspire), Harper Arnold (Reserve Champion), Olivia Schmidgall (Inspire), Callie Booker (Champion, Inspire), Jessie Hise (Inspire), Kate Hanauer, Eli Cole, Paige Cole, Katie Grove, Blaine Weigelt, Alaina Weigelt, Dale Weigelt, Kinsley Honings, Nola Ferrero (Inspire), Katie Grove (Champion), Ava Lehman, Graham Bulter, Dale Weigelt, Madalyn Roth (Champion), Levi Ekama (Champion), Eli Cole (Reserve Champion), Madeline Ekama (Champion), Camden Adair (Champion), Grayson Fritz (Champion), Brooke Andrews (Champion), Harlow Sharum (Champion), Oaklyn Sharum (Champion), Zovi Sharum (Champion), Harlow Sharum (Champion), Kaden Warren, Avery Glacinski (Reserve Champion), Kaeb Lehamn (Champion), Eli Stewart (Champion), Nathaniel Schrock, Grace Schumacher (Champion), Meredith Overholt (Champion), Keziah Welch, McKayla Harms (Reserve Champion), Emersyn Harms, Madeline Ekama, Paige Cole, Kaedyn Smith, Madyson Harms (Reserve Champion), Orrin Hartter, Issac Heinold (Reserve Champion)

08/25/2026

Learn more about all of our awards and get started here: go.illinois.edu/4HAwardsApply

Does your 4-H club excel in community service, leadership, or project learning? Submit your club for a 4-H Club Recognition Award! 🌟

Club and Experience Award applications must be submitted through your local Extension office, so check your county deadlines. County staff will then submit applications to the state by October 1.

Learn more about all of our awards and get started here: go.illinois.edu/4HAwardsApply

08/24/2026

🐄🌾 What can you find on a farm? Come discover with us!

Join us in our October Cloverbud Tales & Tails Workshop, Cloverbuds on the Farm, as we explore the exciting world of farming through stories, STEM, and hands-on activities.

📅 Oct. 20, 2026
⏰ 4:30-5:30 PM
📍 Woodford County Extension Office, Eureka
Ages 5-7
$5

Register now at go.illinois.edu/CloverbudsFarm

Part of the monthly Tales & Tails 4-H STEM Reading Connections series.

08/18/2026

📸💚 We’re still looking back on an incredible Woodford County 4-H Show!

Each ribbon, exhibit, and accomplishment tells the story of countless hours spent learning new skills, setting goals, and growing through the 4-H experience. We couldn’t be prouder of our youth and all they achieved this year! 🍀

A special thank you to the many people who helped make the show a success, including our volunteers, families, 4-H leaders, judges, sponsors, exhibitors, and community supporters. Your encouragement, time, and commitment help create opportunities that make a lasting impact on our young people. 💚

Let's keep celebrating the Woodford County 4-H Show! 📸✨🍀

08/17/2026

We are still celebrating the Woodford County 4-H Show! 📸💚🌟

The memories made during this year’s Woodford County 4-H Show are ones worth celebrating! From early mornings and long days to big smiles, proud moments, and lessons learned, our 4-H youth gave it their all. 👏

Every project, presentation, animal, ribbon, and accomplishment represents hours of hard work, dedication, preparation, and growth. We are so proud of them!

But a successful 4-H show doesn’t happen because of one person. It takes an entire community! A heartfelt thank you goes to our volunteers, parents and families, 4-H leaders, judges, sponsors, exhibitors, supporters, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this week possible. Your time and dedication make a difference in the lives of our youth. 💚

Take a look through these photos and celebrate the people who make Woodford County 4-H so special! 📸🍀

08/16/2026

Even though the Woodford County 4-H Show is over, we still want to look back to celebrate all of the wonderful moments and memories that were made in this year's 2026 show! We’re celebrating the incredible youth who showed up, worked hard, learned new skills, faced challenges, and proudly shared their projects at the Woodford County 4-H Show. 💚

Behind every great show is an amazing team of volunteers, families, leaders, judges, sponsors, supporters, and community members who give their time, energy, and encouragement to make it all possible.

To our 4-H youth: you are the heart of this show, and we are so proud of you! 👏

To everyone who helped make the week a success: thank you! Your countless hours, helping hands, encouraging words, and commitment to our youth do not go unnoticed.

Here’s a look back at some of the memories, hard work, smiles, and proud moments from the show. 📸💚 Stay tuned for more memories, and be sure to share your favorite moments in the comments below!

08/14/2026

Congratulations to Emersyn Harms on winning 1,000 dollars in honor of participating in the 2026 Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest at the Illinois State Fair! We are so proud of you! Keep taking your skills to new heights!

This year also marks 30 years of the Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest! Since its start, the program has helped Illinois 4-H youth build skills for the livestock industry while providing more than $600,000 in college scholarships.

Thank you to CME Group and the Illinois 4-H Foundation for investing in the next generation of livestock leaders. These 4-H members are putting their skills to work and showing what it means to be Beyond Ready for college, careers, and whatever comes next.

Congratulations to all!

35 Illinois 4-H members put their livestock knowledge to the test at the 2026 Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest at the Illinois State Fair!

Youth competed in livestock management, marketing and hedging, and a livestock skillathon, demonstrating their knowledge of beef, swine, and sheep production. Congratulations to this year’s nine $1,000 scholarship recipients:

🍀 Macie Bartlow, McDonough County
🍀 Evan Beal, Clinton County
🍀 Will Deters, Cumberland County
🍀 Addison Duis, Menard County
🍀 Emersyn Harms, Woodford County
🍀 Claire Kuipers, McLean County
🍀 Caiden Littiken, Clinton County
🍀 Calum Shanks, Christian County
🍀 Reagan Shike, Mercer County

This year also marks 30 years of the Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest! Since its start, the program has helped Illinois 4-H youth build skills for the livestock industry while providing more than $600,000 in college scholarships.

Thank you to CME Group and the Illinois 4-H Foundation for investing in the next generation of livestock leaders. These 4-H members are putting their skills to work and showing what it means to be Beyond Ready for college, careers, and whatever comes next.

Congratulations to all!