Wayne County IL 4-H

08/31/2026

Are you looking for an adventure where safety is provided, curiosity is required, and messy fun is guaranteed? Then join us for Cloverbuds as Scientists, where we will dive hands-on into the exciting world of science with chemical reactions. Youth will have the chance to participate in experiments of Mento Geysers, M&M Rockets, Chalk Bags, and Elephant Toothpaste.

Join retired Cloverbud leader and Kindergarten teacher Debbie Webb and extension staff in exploring the world of science!

When: Monday, Sept. 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: Wayne County Extension Office, 2B Frontier Dr., Fairfield, IL 62837
Who: Youth ages 5-7 as of Sept. 1, 2026, are welcome to join and do not need to be 4-H members to participate.
Register Here: go.illinois.edu/science
Registration closes Sept. 20, and limited spots are available!

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Ryan Littlejohn at [email protected] or by calling 618-842-3702. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.

08/29/2026

🍀As we close out our 2025-2026 4-H year, we want to recognize our 2026 Completion Members. Last up is a 10-year 4-H member, Ryleigh Taylor! 🍀

Ryleigh is a 10-year member of the New Hope Lucky Clovers 4-H Club and the daughter of Ryan and Stephanie Taylor. A 2025 homeschool graduate, she served as club president and was active as a Wayne County Ambassador and Federation member, developing strong leadership and service skills. Through her 4-H experience, Ryleigh focused on horse and beef projects, gaining responsibility and a passion for agriculture.

She is currently in the final year of a bachelor’s degree in business administration while working at Taylor Made. Ryleigh credits 4-H with teaching her the value of hard work, service, and animal care. Among her favorite memories is the time spent in the barns during the fair, highlighting the friendships and experiences that made 4-H so meaningful.

08/28/2026

🍀Thank You to Fairfield National Bank!🍀

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Fairfield National Bank for their generous donation in support of our 2026 5th Grade STEM Day. This annual STEM day (formerly known as Tech Fest) provides engaging, hands-on experiences that inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers. Thank you for helping make this event a success and for your continued commitment to our 4-H Program!

08/27/2026

Congratulations to Jacey Smith, Wayne City 4-H Club member, who participated in the 2026 Illinois State Dog Show.

Jacey and Lassie placed 1st in the Graduate Novice Obedience class.

08/22/2026

🍀As we close out our 2025-2026 4-H year, we want to recognize our 2026 Completion Members. Next up is a 3-year 4-H member and the 2026 Miss Wayne County Fair Queen, Emalie Matthews! 🍀

Emalie is a three-year member of the Enterpriser 4-H Club and the daughter of Joseph Matthews and Michelle Leone. A 2026 graduate of Cisne High School, she has been actively involved in FFA, FCCLA, Spanish Club, Student Council, and National Honor Society, while also serving as a class officer, cheerleader, and participating in church events. In 4-H, Emalie held leadership roles as secretary and reporter, served on the fair and chapter shirt committees, and completed projects in meat and breeding goats and chickens.

Through these experiences, she developed perseverance, a strong work ethic, and a passion for agriculture. Emalie plans to attend Frontier Community College before transferring to SIU Carbondale to pursue a degree in elementary education. One of her favorite memories is her first goat show, which sparked her lasting love for 4-H.

08/19/2026

Congratulations to 25 of our 4-H members that attend the 2026 Illinois State Fair 4-H General Project Show.

Scrapbooking - Avery Barnard
Veterinary Science 1 - Isabelle Edmison
3-D Design/Mixed Media: Diorama - Samuel Edmison
Aerospace Display - Carter Fagan
Tractor B - Clayton Fearn, Reserve Champion
Photography 3 - Hannah Fickas
3-D Design/Mixed Media - Aubree Houston, Inspire Award
Photography 2 - Addisyn Hutchcraft, Inspire Award
Metal - Brody Hutchcraft, Champion
Clothing Embellishment Stitched - Reagan Jackson, Reserve Champion
4-H Cooking 101 Coffee Cake - Kenleigh Keyser
Wildlife 1 - Silas Keyser, Champion
Paper 3D - Hunter Kirk, Reserve Champion
Woodworking 2 - Lane Mason
Kitchen Boss - Kinley Pope, Champion
Metal - Bryson Simpson
Creative Writing - Charli Simpson,
Quilting: Quilting the Best Better - Jacey Smith
Chalk / Carbon / Pigment (Drawing and Painting) Division B: Paper - Jordyn Spindor, Inspire Award
Sportfishing 1 - Ronen Tannahill, Reserve Champion
Sewing 1 Non-Clothing - Lucy Troyer
Heritage Arts - Ellanie Vanway
Hay - Benton Yandell, Reserve Champion
Photography 1 - Kamryn Zimmerman

08/18/2026

Wayne County 4-H members, we would love to see your photos from the State Fair, from the general projects show, or livestock shows! Drop your photos in the comments! 📸👇🏻

08/15/2026

🍀As we close out our 2025-2026 4-H year, we want to recognize our 2026 Completion Members. Next up is a 10-year 4-H member, Hunter Kirk! 🍀

Hunter is a 10-year member of the Country Kids 4-H Club and the daughter of Sally Kirk, the late Rex Rhyne, and the late Brandon Kirk. A 2025 graduate of Fairfield Community High School, Hunter has shown strong leadership through involvement in Cloverbuds, leadership team, ambassadors, while serving in multiple club officer roles, including president. In high school, she was active in the National Honor Society, FFA, Student Council, and several sports.

Hunter now attends Blackburn College, where she competes in cross country, track and field, and softball while majoring in special education and physical education with a minor in math. She is also involved in the Blackburn and Beyond program, works as an umpire, and is employed at Dollar Tree. Through 4-H, she explored many projects and built lasting friendships, with favorite memories centered around time spent with friends at the fair.

08/10/2026

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08/08/2026

🍀As we close out our 2025-2026 4-H year, we want to recognize our 2026 Completion Members. Next up is a 10-year 4-H member, Kacie Kinsolving! 🍀

Kacie is a 10-year member of the Elm River 4-H Club and the daughter of Erin Kinsolving and Canaan McKinney, and Jonah and Lindsay Kinsolving. A 2026 graduate of Fairfield Community High School, Kacie was actively involved in FFA and participated in football, basketball, and competitive cheer throughout high school. Her passion for agriculture and animals is evident through her years of showing rabbits in 4-H, where she developed skills in public speaking and animal care.

Kacie plans to attend Olney Central College to earn an associate degree in science before transferring to Murray State University to complete a Veterinary Technician program. While winning Grand Champion Meat Pen stands out as a highlight, she especially cherishes time spent showing rabbits with her cousins and the support of her grandparents.