4-H Lawrence County Illinois

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

🍀September Newsletter🍀

The September newsletter was sent out yesterday. If you would like to view it online, click on the link below.

https://go.illinois.edu/LawrenceSeptemberNewsletter

09/01/2026

💥🍀October Spark at the Library🍀💥

Here is a chance to allow them to explore and create something new each month, helping them find their spark. Seven free monthly classes will be held at the Lawrence Public Library and led by University of Illinois staff. Classes will begin at 3:30 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Students in 2nd grade and older are eligible. Class size is limited, so sign up today!

Beaded Keychains: Who doesn’t like a cool keychain? Especially one that you made yourself. These make good gifts to give, or even a start-up for a business. Learn how you can make beaded keychains by attending this spark.

October 13th
Lawrence Public Library
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Register by following this link: https://go.illinois.edu/OctLawrenceSpark

09/01/2026

‼️Deadlines are Approaching Quickly!‼️

🏆Award opportunities for this year's members!🏆

The 4-H Member Awards and Leadership Awards will be awarded at our Achievement Night this fall.

Due Dates for anything that has one:

🍀Experience Awards County Level (Optional to anyone) - September 4th, 2026 - to the Extension Office. These will be graded and you will be awarded at the county level and state level if qualified.

🍀Project Awards (Optional to anyone who showed at the 2026 4-H Fair) - September 11th, 2026

🍀Illinois 4-H Scholarships (for youth ages 15-19 as of 9/1/25) - November 1st, 2026

🍀Sustaining the Future Award (Applications must be 17-19 years (as of 09/01/25). - November 1st, 2026

🍀Illinois 4-H Club Award (Optional to any club) – September 11th, 2026 to the Extension Office.

Links to applications and more information:

🔗Illinois 4-H Scholarships -
Application: https://form.jotform.com/261884883029167
Recommendation Form: https://form.jotform.com/261884967141165

🔗Illinois 4-H Sustaining the Future Award -
Application: https://form.jotform.com/201686303129149

🔗Illinois 4-H Experience Awards –Application: https://go.illinois.edu/ExperienceAwardApplicationLawrence
Tip sheet, examples, and scoring rubric: https://go.illinois.edu/ExperienceAwardTipsLawrence

🔗County Project Awards -
Junior Application (Ages 8-10): https://go.illinois.edu/JuniorProjectAwardLawrence
Intermediate Application (Ages 11-13): https://go.illinois.edu/IntermediateProjectAwardLawrence
Senior Application (Ages 14-18): https://go.illinois.edu/SeniorProjectAwardLawrence

🔗Illinois 4-H Club Awards -
Application and Overview: https://go.illinois.edu/ClubAwardApplicationLawrence

08/28/2026

Do you have a passion for Animal Sciences, Civic Engagement/Global Living, Creative Performing Arts & Communication, Gardening, Agriculture & Food Access, Healthy Living & Nutrition, Leadership, Natural Resources & Environmental Science, Emerging Achievement, Skilled Trades, or STEM/Robotics?

Apply for a scholarship honoring your experience and passion in these areas!

This year, there are two new award categories for Skilled Trades and Emerging Achievements!

Scholarships are open to Illinois 4-H members age 15-19 as of 9/1/2026. To apply, you must have been enrolled in the 2025-2026 4-H year. Applicants can win only one scholarship per program year and only once in each award area.

Apply now through November 1 when you head here: go.illinois.edu/4HAwardsApply

08/27/2026

LAWRENCE COUNTY TEEN PLACES FOURTH AT STATE FAIR SHOWMANSHIP CONTEST

BAYLI BROWN COMPETED AGAINST 65 OTHER TOP 4-H LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS FROM ACROSS ILLINOIS

Bayli Brown of Bridgeport earned fourth place overall in the 2026 Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.

Brown represented Lawrence County during the competition held August 14 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. She was one of 66 young livestock exhibitors who qualified by winning competitions in their respective counties.

The annual contest challenges 4-H members between the ages of 14 and 18 to demonstrate their showmanship skills with beef cattle, sheep and swine.

Competitors were evaluated on their ability to handle each animal, their knowledge of the three species and animal husbandry, and their overall showmanship abilities. Scores from all three species were combined to determine the top five exhibitors.

Brown, the daughter of Michal Hendy and Glenn Brown, finished fourth overall and received $200 along with additional prizes.

Toby Behrends of Bureau County was named Grand Champion Overall Master Showman. Alivia Porter of Iroquois County earned reserve grand champion honors, Ryker Beckmier of Christian County placed third and Taylor Hendel of Fulton County finished fifth.

Nearly $8,000 in prizes donated by sponsors were awarded during the event. Each participant also received a T-shirt, bucket, harness and $25 gift card.

The 2026 competition marked the 26th annual Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest. The event was hosted by the Illinois Farm Bureau, which operates the program to recognize and encourage young people involved in agriculture and livestock production.

Article sponsored by: Steve Faulkner Sales - Louie Your Car Guy

08/26/2026

The new 4-H year kicks off in September, and it's a great time to join a local 4-H club!

Visit your county's 4-H webpage to learn more about 4-H, local clubs, and more!

Edwards County: go.illinois.edu/Edwards4H
Lawrence County: go.illinois.edu/Lawrence4H
Richland County: go.illinois.edu/Richland4H
Wabash County: go.illinois.edu/Wabash4H
Wayne County: go.illinois.edu/Wayne4H

08/20/2026

🎨Let's get creative!🧁- Canvas Painting and Cake Decorating Workshop!

Join us at this workshop to sharpen your canvas painting and cake decorating skills. Participants will learn new techniques and take home a fall-themed canvas painting along with cupcakes they practiced decorating with.

Youth ages 8-18 are welcome to join and do not need to be 4-H members to attend. Lunch will be provided.

Friday, October 9
9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Lawrenceville Armory
1522 Porter Ave., Lawrenceville, IL 62439

Register today!👉 go.illinois.edu/Discover

For questions, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact the Lawrence County Extension Office at 618-943-5018. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs.