Logan County 4-H program kicks off new year with support from community partners

 

[October 18, 2024] 

The 4-H program in Logan County kicked off a new year with their annual Fall Festival this past Saturday at the Logan County Fairgrounds. Attendees enjoyed food provided by Nuthatch Hill BBQ and activities from Heartland Community College while learning about all the opportunities available to members of the local 4-H clubs.

“I love this community and their support for 4-H,” said Logan County 4-H Program Coordinator Sherri Bishop. “This event had a great turnout and created many lifelong memories.”

Hunter the Heartland mascot was in attendance along with Heartland staff who showcased interactive activities including a tabletop rain simulator, drone demonstrations, and an animal simulator. 4-H staff shared STEM activities, and two 4-H clubs had fun games to play.

4-H clubs are open to all youth ages 5-18, and enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 year. During club meetings, 4-H members make friends while exploring their interests, trying new things, and developing leadership and life skills. For more information about 4-H activities in Logan County, visit extension.illinois.edu/LMS/4-H-youth-development.

ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen.

4-H Educator Michelle Norberto-Whipple provides
a STEM activity. Photo by Illinois Extension

Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices, two times more likely to be civically active, and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

ABOUT EXTENSION: University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities—community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.

[WRITER: Sherri Bishop, 4-H program coordinator, Logan County]