Mercer County 4-H and 4-H Alumni

04/24/2026

Fair Entry is OPEN for entries for the Mercer County 4-H Fair until June 1! 🍀

All 4‑H participants must submit their exhibit classes through Fair Entry in order to exhibit at the 4-H Fair.

Please follow the instructions carefully to avoid any issues or accidentally submitting your entries before everything is complete.

If you run into any problems, don’t panic, additional classes or members can be added after Extension staff approve your submission.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

04/24/2026

Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

We are so grateful for all of our amazing Mercer County 4-H Volunteers and Leaders! We couldn’t do this without you!

Be sure to thank your club leaders and volunteers this week.

We truly appreciate our amazing volunteers that make up the heart of 4-H!

4-H volunteers share their skills and experiences to help transform the next generation of confident, young leaders and are the spark that inspires future generations! You all make a difference in the lives of young people by teaching them skills they can use for the rest of their lives!

A HUGE thank you to our amazing volunteers!

04/20/2026

Reminder: State Fair Lamb and Goat Nominations are due May 15!

04/16/2026

We will be hosting an in-person YQCA training:

YQCA is required yearly for youth showing Beef, Dairy, Goats, Sheep and or Swine.

Date: Monday, May 4
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Aledo Farm Bureau Office
Ages: 8-18 (as of Sept. 1, 2025)
Price: $3.00

How to Register for the YQCA Training:
1. Go to https://yqcaprogram.org/
2. Log in to your account, or create an account if you do not have one.
3. From the menu, select Instructor‑Led Training.
4. Find the class that matches your member’s age, then click Add to Cart.
When prompted:
Select the participant
Choose Illinois
Select 2026 Mercer County 4‑H YQCA Training
Click Add
Pay the $3 registration fee.
Youth must complete the required pre‑test before the training.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or need an accommodation.

04/15/2026

Fair Entry is now OPEN for entries! 🍀

All 4‑H participants must submit their class entries through Fair Entry in order to exhibit at the Mercer County 4‑H Fair.

Entries are due June 1 at: https://fairentry.com/

Please follow the instructions carefully to avoid any issues or accidentally submitting your entries before everything is complete.

If you run into any problems, don’t panic, additional classes or members can be added after Extension staff approve your submission.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

04/13/2026

Join us for the Mercer County 4-H Fishing Club!

Informational Meeting: Saturday, April 18

Fishing Sessions: 9 - 11 a.m.
Saturday- April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23

Where?
Different ponds around Mercer County

Who?
Youth ages 8-15, as of September 1, 2025

How to register?
Please register via ZSuite Events: 2026 Mercer Fishing Club
https://4h.zsuite.org/events

Cost to register?
$10, plus the $20 enrollment fee if you’re not already enrolled in 4‑H

If you have any questions or need an accommodation, please contact [email protected]

04/10/2026

Tree planting is tomorrow at
9 AM in Aledo!🌳
We could use a few extra hands, if you can help, please email [email protected]

04/10/2026

Stop by Mercer Market tomorrow and support the Kimel 4-H Club!

04/07/2026

Swing by Mercer Market Saturday, April 11, Kimel 4-H Club will be selling Pork Chops! 🍀

04/06/2026

Join us for our Community Service Tree Planting! 🍀
📅 Saturday, April 11
⏰ 9:00 AM
📍Aledo

Please register at: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/mercer-county-4-h-tree-planting

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Reach out to Lyndsey at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’d love to have you there!

04/01/2026

Children ages 5–8 are invited to a FREE morning of fun and learning in the Parking Lot of the Illinois Extension Office in Milan!
📅 Saturday, April 25
⏰ 10:00 AM – Noon

Enjoy a variety of hands‑on activities and interactive experiences, including:
A free petting zoo
Fire safety fun + a real fire truck from the Fire Station
Face painting
Healthy snack station

Plus, explore our interactive activity stations:
Jelly Bean Engineering
Ribbon Dancer Bracelets
Elephant Toothpaste / Volcano Experiments
Quilt Squares
Natural Science: Monarchs on the Move & Animal Pelts

Come ready to explore, create, and have tons of fun!

Sign up at: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/4-h-cloverbud-parking-lot-party-1