Shelby County IL 4-H

06/18/2026

Clover Camp = BEST. DAY. EVER!

“This is an awesome day!” could be heard across Forest Park as 17 excited Cloverbuds enjoyed this year’s Clover Camp! Clover Camp was led by nine Federation members.

From pool noodle horses and sq**rt gun painting, to dream catchers, beaded garden stakes, rock art, and a scavenger hunt adventure—there was nonstop fun from start to finish!

Favorite quote of the day: “Don’t hit your friends in the head with the pool noodle!”
Special shoutout to Kaycee for setting up a stick horse racecourse and to Harper for cheering “Bring her home!” to Ada as she ran the pole bending pattern on her stick horse.

Campers also rocked their awesome Clover Camp t-shirts (designed by the Clover Camp Committee!) and enjoyed pizza for lunch.

As always, the best part? Watching Cloverbuds build friendships and confidence with our amazing Federation members.

We’re already counting down to next year!

06/17/2026

Shelby County 4-H'ers . . . . .

Here is an opportunity to put your photography skills to great use! The Equity is hosting a photo contest for 4-H members. Photos need to focus on Rural Landscapes, Farm Equipment, and/or Livestock.

Winning 4-H members will receive a prize and their club will recieve $50!

Photos must be submitted by June 19 at https://qrco.de/eqphoto

06/17/2026

The Clover Chase was a SUCCESS!

Shelby County 4-H brought back the excitement of the old Amazing Race with our brand-new Clover Chase Scavenger Hunt—and WOW, did our youth show up ready to have FUN!

Eight teams traveled across the county, tackling creative challenges—from milking cows 🐄 and blindfolded tractor driving to becoming a human clover and testing their aim with Nerf targets.

Huge shoutout to our winning team, “The Beavers” from the Oconee Eager Beavers 4-H Club!

Our Cloverbuds joined in too, hunting for 4-H rocks along the Dacey Trail, and winning stuffed animals as their prize.

When asked about their favorite part, youth said:
👉 Working as a team
👉 Hanging out with friends
👉 Completing the challenges
…and we topped it all off with a delicious cookout!

A BIG thank you to our committee, federation members, volunteers, and generous donors (James & Joyce Bell, Duane & Carletta Voegel, and the Beachy Family) who made this event possible—you helped create memories these kids won’t forget!

06/13/2026

Shelby County 4-H held its third Tractor and Lawnmower Workshop on Thursday, June 11. Barker Implement, Josh Weakly, led the workshop focusing on safety and proper driving techniques. 4-H’ers were able to drive thru obstacle courses practicing for the driving contest being planned on July 18.

Thanks to Josh and Kaleena for hosting the workshop! 4-H appreciates support from our community!

06/12/2026

🚀 3, 2, 1… BLAST OFF! 🚀

Shelby County 4-H Cloverbuds had an out-of-this-world day building and launching their very own Estes Cosmic Ray rockets at the 4-H Center!

With guidance from STEM leader Jim Sparks and Teen Teacher Ezekiel, 12 Cloverbuds, along with their helpers, learned how to assemble, prep, and launch their rockets. The sky filled with excitement as rockets soared—then it was a race to catch them as they floated back down!

Of course, every mission has a twist… one rocket got stuck in a tree—but thanks to Cloverbud dad and Shelbyville firefighter Matt Lewis, the day was saved with a fire truck rescue!

We can’t wait to see these young engineers show off and launch their rockets again at the county fair in July!

Thank you, Jim, Ezekiel, and Matt, for a wonderful Cloverbud Rocket Workshop!

06/11/2026

🎨4-H’ers Get Creative with Clay!

Twenty-seven 4-H’ers got their hands dirty on June 9 as they designed and created some amazing clay projects during a workshop led by Kris McEuen of Mudgal Pottery!

Participants learned pinch, coil, and slab techniques and turned their creativity loose—crafting everything from mugs to a bobblehead Highland cows, a frog fishing in a pond, a turtle, a bunny, a goose, a pencil holder, a vase, and more!

Everyone showed great patience and did a fantastic job as Kris provided guidance along the way. We can’t wait to see the finished pieces as 4-H’ers return on June 23 to glaze their projects!

Great work, 4-H’ers!

06/10/2026

Shelby County 4-H’ers are always looking to learn new skills at hands-on learning opportunities! Thanks Debora and Dianna! We appreciate all your help!

06/05/2026

Sign up soon as space is limited!

Shelby County 4-H members . . . . .
Registration is open for the Master Showmanship Contest

To be eligible to participate:
1. Exhibitors who are enrolled in the 4-H beef, sheep, or swine projects are eligible to participate in the Master Showmanship contest. Exhibitors do not need to qualify to participate.
2. Exhibitors will need to pre-register with the provided link by July 13. There will be a maximum of 10 exhibitors. If more than 10 exhibitors sign up, additional exhibitors will be placed on a waiting list.

Rules:
1. Exhibitor must exhibit at least one of the following species: beef, sheep, or swine at the Shelby County 4-H Fair.
2. Must be at least 14 years of age as of 9/1/25.
3. It’s your responsibility to find your own animals to compete in the county contest if you are not enrolled in that species. For example, if you are a beef exhibitor but do not have sheep or swine, you must use your own beef and find a sheep and swine to borrow for the contest.
4. A special judge will be used for the Master Showmanship contest.

Awards: Prizes will be awarded, as well as a Grand Champion Master Showmanship trophy. The Grand Champion will be eligible to compete in the Master Showmanship Contest at the IL State Fair on August 14.

Click here to sign up: https://go.illinois.edu/MasterShowmanshipContest

06/05/2026

Spots are filling up fast! Get signed up soon!

Shelby County 4-H'ers . . . .
Registration is open for the Junior Master Showmanship Contest

To be eligible to participate:
1. Exhibitors who are enrolled in the 4-H beef, sheep, or swine projects are eligible to participate in the Junior Master Showmanship contest. Exhibitors do not need to qualify to participate.
2. Exhibitors will need to pre-register with the provided link by July 13. There will be a maximum of 18 exhibitors, split into three classes broken out by age. If more than 18 exhibitors sign up, additional exhibitors will be placed on a waiting list.

Rules:
1. Must be at least 8-13 years of age as of 9/1/25.
2. Junior exhibitors will exhibit only swine. If not enrolled in swine, the youth must find their own animal to exhibit.

Awards: The top two exhibitors in each class will receive a special award.

Signup here: https://go.illinois.edu/JuniorMasterShowmanshipContest

06/04/2026

A sincere thank you to the Queen Pageant Committee for allowing 4-H to highlight our program and promote the upcoming 4-H and Junior Fair. It was great to see so many 4-H members involved in this year’s contest!