Sauk Valley Weekend / shawlocal.com/sauk-valley • Saturday, September 16, 2023
SHAW MEDIA
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CArroll, Lee and Whiteside county 4-H Results
From L-R Rachel Anton, Maya VonHolten, Owen VonHolten, Noah VonHolten, Hannah VonHolten, Katleyn Temple, and Fallen Byers wait patiently to be judged at the 4-H Poultry show.
Congratulations 4-H Participants and Award Winners As the weather turns cooler and summer fades into fall, I am honored to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful 4-H fair season and honor the achievements of our local youth. University of Illinois Extension is proud to share the summer 4-H Fair project results for the outstanding youth participants in Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside counties. Visiting each of the fairs was the highlight of my summer season and filled me with immense admiration and respect for the incredible achievements of our 4-H members. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, fair boards, and supporters, youth in the 4-H program learn the values of hands-on learning, leadership development, and community engagement. As I’ve had the privilege to witness, our 4-H members have taken these values to heart and have made this year’s fair season a resounding success. 4-H is a program of the University of Illinois Extension that challenges youth to “learn by doing” and is open to all youth ages 8 to 18 years of age. Beyond the fair, there are many ways youth can be involved in 4-H – including community clubs, special interest clubs, workshops, afterschool programs and summer camps! Youth ages 5 to 7 may join 4-H as a Cloverbud member which provides opportunities for young children to explore their budding interests in 4-H. Our annual 4-H fairs are the culminating event for the 4-H program year and provide youth the opportunity to demonstrate mastery, showcase their projects, and exhibit their knowledge. 4-H project areas range from visual arts to citizenship, STEM, natural resources, cooking, horticulture, agriculture, computers, livestock, small animals, photography, small engines, floriculture, and more. To demon-
strate their skill, 4-H members meet individually with project area judges to explain their project and what they learned. Our skilled 4-H judges award participants with ribbons and trophies, while carefully choosing select projects to advance to the Illinois State Fair in August. While I not only admire the hard work of our local youth, but I am also especially grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who devote their time, talent, and treasure to make our 4-H fairs a success! This dedicated group of individuals not only share their knowledge and support, but also enhance our programming and help us reach all youth in our counties. Many thanks to our 4-H families, 4-H Community Club Leaders, SPIN Club Leaders, 4-H Fair Project Superintendents, 4-H Fair Judges, and all others who support University of Illinois Extension throughout the year. Local 4-H programming is also made possible through the generous support of our donors. We thank our individual and business donors as well as our Illinois Extension Foundation Boards for their continued and on-going support. Whether it’s sponsoring 4-H fair trophies or making an annual contribution, every dollar makes a different in serving our youth and families! If you would like to support Illinois Extension’s efforts in providing youth with exceptional learning opportunities through 4-H, please call your local Extension office. We could use your help and support at whatever level you choose. To potential 4-H members: I encourage you to check out what 4-H has to offer. Beyond the fair, 4-H has learning opportunities at local, regional, state, national and international events. To learn more about how you can become involved in 4-H, please call your local Extension office, or visit our website at: extension.illinois.edu/clw
To current 4-H members: We are incredibly proud of your efforts this fair season and extend our sincere congratulations to each one of you, as well as to your families, mentors, and volunteers who have supported you on this journey. You are the pride of our community, and your achievements have not gone unnoticed. I encourage all of you to continue your pursuit of excellence, to keep learning, and to give back to your communities. Your dedication to the principles of 4-H will undoubtedly lead to a future filled with success and positive change. As we reflect on this year’s 4-H Fair season, let it be a reminder of the incredible potential that resides within our youth – potential to better themselves, their communities, and their world. The accomplishments of our local 4-H youth give us hope for a brighter future and reaffirm our belief in the power of education, mentorship, and community. Congratulations to all area 4-H youth and thank you for being an inspiration to us all. We are proud of you and look forward to watching you achieve even greater heights in the years to come. In kindness, Karla Belzer University of Illinois Extension Extension County Director