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			 Last year, 240 young people in Logan County were 
			involved in 4-H Community clubs where, assisted by volunteer adult 
			leaders, they learned about careers, leadership and citizenship. 
			Another 1,285 youth were involved in 4-H through school, after 
			school and community-partner organizations. 
 ”4-H’ers learn by doing philosophy encourages youth to experiment, 
			innovate, and think independently, said Carissa Davis, University of 
			Illinois Extension Youth Development Educator. “4-H grows confident 
			kids who tackle issues that matter most in their communities.” 
			Illinois 4-H members prepare for their future by studying careers 
			related to their
 4-H project. “They choose from more than 100 projects to study,” 
			said Davis. Topics range from rocketry, computer game design, public 
			speaking to photography, animal science, nutrition, and more.
 
			
			 
			Local 4-H members have been “inspired to lead and called to serve” 
			in a number of ways. Ethan Bertram, a 16 year old 4-H member of 
			Atlanta Ag 4-H and The Pioneers 4-H Clubs says “I like the way my 
			club affects both the local and global community. Our Spaghetti Meal 
			basket and baking for the Atlanta Fall Festival had a good effect on 
			the local community. Baking for Harvest of Talents and filling 
			shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child helped the global community 
			providing assistance for people around the world!” 
			 
			Caroline Ahrends, a 16 year old 4-H member of the 
			Chester 4-H club states “I have been able to be part of the 4-H 
			Exchange to Japan and encourage other 4-H’ers to seek travel 
			experiences through 4-H.  
			
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			Because of the Japan experience I joined a local 
			church on their mission trip to Haiti, where I taught soccer to 
			girls, VBS, and helped out with an eye clinic. This was eye opening 
			for me to see how privileged I am and hope to continue to help 
			others.”
 Ruthie Ruhl, a 16 year old 4-H member of the Topper 4-H Club, states 
			“I have been involved in the 4-H horse project for many years. I 
			joined the Unit 16 Horse Show committee to organize the Horse show, 
			prepare the class list, find a location, obtain a judge and plan 
			clinics! Clinics were my favorite thing to do and I was able to be a 
			speaker and lead a session on how to groom, braid and tack up your 
			horse for a Hunter class.”
 
 4-H club membership is open to youth aged 8 – 18. Youth 5 to 7 years 
			of age may join the 4-H Cloverbud program. To learn more about Logan 
			County 4-H and further information on how to enroll your child in a 
			local club, contact the Logan County 4-H office at 732-8289.
 
 For Further Information Contact: Patty Huffer, Extension Program 
			Coordinator/Youth Development, Logan County (217)732-8289
 
			About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn 
			skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H 
			programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact 
			the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning 
			clubs and groups and short-term programming. 
				 
			[Patty HufferExtension Program Coordinator/4-H Youth Development]
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