DuPage Kane and Kendall 4-H

06/16/2026

We are excited to invite you to be part of the 2026 4-H General Project Show at the Illinois State Fair! The State 4-H Office is seeking enthusiastic volunteer judges, project assistants, and other volunteers to help create a memorable and rewarding experience for Illinois 4-H members.

Event Details:
Dates: August 14-16 (Friday through Sunday)
Location: Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds (Fully air-conditioned for your comfort!)

Volunteer Requirements:
Project Assistants: Must be 16 years or older; expertise in the project area is not required.

Judges: Must be 19 years or older and have expertise or experience in the project area they wish to judge. This could include knowledge of the project area as a career, hobby, or general interest in the project area.

Other Support Roles: Must be 14 years or older; expertise in the project area is not required.

How to Get Involved:
Sign up at go.illinois.edu/statefairhelp to join us for one, two, or all three days of the State Fair. Assignment details for volunteers will be emailed in July. We would love to have you on our State Fair team!

06/11/2026

Congratulations to our members who participated in Fashion R***e with Illinois 4-H! We had multiple local honorees:
- Constructed Junior Division: Clara Ochs of Kane County, second, and Audra Ochs of Kane County, third
- Constructed Senior Division: Anna Wier of DuPage County, first place, Eva Ochs of Kane County, second, and Ruth Glinke of DuPage County, third
- Purchased Junior Division: Brandon Wier of DuPage County, second
- Upcycle Your Style Senior Division: Eulalia Earl of DuPage County, first

06/09/2026

Applications are open for National 4-H Congress. Join 4-H members from across the country Nov. 27–Dec. 1 in Atlanta, Georgia for an unforgettable experience focused on leadership, service, learning, and connection. From inspiring speakers and hands-on workshops to new friendships and meaningful service opportunities, National 4-H Congress is designed to help young people grow as leaders and make an impact in their communities.

Illinois 4-H teens ages 14–19 as of January 1, 2026, are encouraged to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Apply by July 1 at go.illinois.edu/4HCongress26.

Applications are now open for National 4-H Congress!

Join 4-H members from across the country November 27–December 1 in Atlanta, Georgia for an unforgettable experience focused on leadership, service, learning, and connection. From inspiring speakers and hands-on workshops to new friendships and meaningful service opportunities, National 4-H Congress is designed to help young people grow as leaders and make an impact in their communities.

Illinois 4-H teens ages 14–19 as of January 1, 2026, are encouraged to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Apply by July 1 at go.illinois.edu/4HCongress26.

06/04/2026

Another fun, seasonal opportunity from Illinois 4-H. Check it out!

Beat the heat with the Illinois 4-H Summer Healthy Living Challenge: Cool Summer Treats!

From smoothie bowls and yogurt parfaits to frozen banana snacks and homemade fruit popsicles, youth and families are invited to create a cool, healthy summer treat that requires little or no baking. Participants can adapt a favorite recipe or invent something completely new.

Competition divisions include:

• Family Division (ages 5 and up)
• Individual Division: ages 8–11
• Individual Division: ages 12–18
Two winners in each division will receive fun summer-themed prizes.

To enter, submit:
• Your recipe name and short description
• Photos of you and your creation

Entries are due by July 15 at https://go.illinois.edu/4HHealthyLivingChallenge.

Rules:
• At least one participant must be a current 4-H member
• One entry per family/youth
• Recipes must require little or no baking
Challenge runs June 15–July 15. Get creative and show us your coolest summer snack creations!

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the State 4-H Office.

06/02/2026

Want to order 4-H gear for summer? 🍀

The DKK 4-H Store has new colors available! Check out the same great design, now in seasonal colors like melon, sky blue, and grass green. Check it out: go.illinois.edu/DKK4Hstore
🧡🩵💚

You asked and we listened! Now you can order your own DKK 4-H gear from a new merchandise store available through a local vendor and 4-H supporter, All Points Printing in Newark.

The store features the same great design but in new styles and colors! Order as a family or work with your club to do a larger order and save on shipping. Find the store at go.illinois.edu/DKK4Happarel

Special shout-out to All Points Printing for excellent customer service and a supportive collaboration that helped make our 2025 bright green 4-H member and volunteer shirts possible!

06/01/2026

Scholarship spotlight!

Gardening, Agriculture & Food Access Scholarship recipient Faustina Krysciak of Kendall County shared, "4‑H has been the place where I learned to lead by doing, whether I was helping a younger member calm a restless goat or taking on challenges that pushed me past my comfort zone. It’s in those barns, meetings, and moments of responsibility that my passion for agriculture found its direction."

Congratulations to Faustina and all of our award recipients!

05/28/2026

Let's cheer on another member doing great things!

Congratulations to the newest members of the Youth Leadership Team including Therese Krysciak of Kendall County!

The Youth Leadership Team takes on extensive planning and leadership roles, with teens serving on statewide committees and boards including the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors and the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee.

Congratulations Therese and stay tuned for more new YLT member spotlights!

05/20/2026

Tickets on sale through May 29! -- Join the Kendall County Friends of Extension and Kendall County 4-H Foundation for the annual Pork Dinner Fundraiser. Get a tasty pork chop or pork burger dinner in a convenient, drive-thru format on June 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kendall County Fairgrounds. Get all the details at https://extension.illinois.edu/events/2026-06-18-drive-thru-pork-dinner-fundraiser

05/19/2026

DuPage 4-H members and volunteers joined the fun at the Fischer Farm Quilt and Fiber Show over the weekend. The group shared hands-on demonstrations of how wool goes from sheep to finished products. They also hosted the popular 4-H Makers Market!

05/18/2026

The popular 4-H statewide fishing spring fishing tournament is back in 2026. This year’s tourney will again be a virtual event held between the dates of May 1 – July 31. Catch-measure-picture-upload…repeat!
Nearly 500 entries submitted in 2025! Enter catches here now through July 31: https://go.illinois.edu/4-HFishing

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the State 4-H Office.

The popular 4-H statewide fishing spring fishing tournament is back in 2026. This year’s tourney will again be a virtual event held between the dates of May 1 – July 31. Catch-measure-picture-upload…repeat!

Nearly 500 entries submitted in 2025! Enter catches here now through July 31: https://go.illinois.edu/4-HFishing

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact the State 4-H Office.