Marion County, Illinois 4-H

09/09/2026

THE GREAT PUMPKIN BUILD!

Kids & teens ages 8–18 can build, paint, and decorate their very own 3D wooden pumpkin!

Participants will learn basic woodworking skills, practice safe tool use, and get creative with paint, raffia, and ribbon—all with step-by-step guidance from our instructors.

No experience needed
All materials & tools provided
Create a pumpkin that’s uniquely yours
Learn real hands-on woodworking skills
Take home your finished creation!

Build it. Paint it. Make it yours!
Come create some fall fun at The Great Pumpkin Build!

Register Here: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/49949

09/08/2026

Art in the Park!

Join us for a fun and creative afternoon under the colorful fall trees at Foundation Park!

Participants will explore the beauty of the changing season while creating their own colorful artwork using bright, blendable oil pastels. It’s the perfect opportunity to get creative, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate all the beautiful colors of fall!

November 11
11 AM–2 PM
Foundation Park – The Sentinel Shelter

Open to ages 10–18 as of 9/1/25.

Register Here: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/47654

09/08/2026

Dessert Donations Needed!

The Marion County 4-H Foundation is looking for desserts to sell at their food stand during Antique Power Days this Thursday!

If you’re able to donate, desserts can be dropped off tomorrow at the Marion County Extension Office.

Thank you for supporting the Marion County 4-H Foundation!

Marion County 4-H Foundation will have a food stand at the Antique Power Days Auction on Thursday (9/10). We are currently looking for pie donations to sell at the stand! Comment below if you can drop off a pie or two on Thursday, 9/10!

09/03/2026

HUDDLE UP AGAINST HUNGER!

Marion County 4-H and Centralia High School are teaming up to give back to our community with a food drive supporting local families in need!

October 2
Centralia High School Football Game
Kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

We’re asking fans to bring nonperishable food items to the game. Donation bins will be located inside the gates for easy drop-off!

Every donation will stay right here in Marion County to help support families in our local community.

Let’s fill those bins!

Bring a donation. Huddle up. Help fight hunger!

09/02/2026

4-H WINDOW DISPLAY CLUB CONTEST!

Calling all Marion County 4-H Clubs! It’s time to get creative and show your community what makes 4-H so special!

September 27–October 11

THEME: 4-H — A World Full of Projects

Showcase the amazing variety of projects 4-H has to offer! Your display can feature General Projects, Livestock, Cats, Dogs & Small Pets, Tractor Driving, and so much more!

The possibilities are endless! As a club, create a display that shows just how BIG the world of 4-H projects can be!

The winning club will be announced at Achievement Night!

And the prize? A CLUB BOWLING PARTY! 🎳

Ready to participate?
Contact the Extension Office at 618-548-1446 if your club would like to participate.

Good luck to all our participating clubs!
We can’t wait to see your creative displays!

09/01/2026

Congratulations, Kynlie! And thank you, Marion County Farm Bureau, for your continued support of our youth!

Congratulations to Kynlie Hewkin of the Marion County Pioneers 4-H Club! Kynlie was a winner of a 2026 Marion County Farm Bureau (CFB) 4-H Project Grant to help purchase supplies for her rabbits project at the Marion County Fair.

The Marion CFB once again offered grants of up to $150 this year to assist local 4-H'ers beginning new projects. This year fourteen (14) local 4-H'ers were awarded grants with funding requests totaling $2,031.94 Since the program began Marion CFB has awarded $5,149.58 in total funding to 39 young participants

09/01/2026

FALLIN’ FOR 4-H PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST!

Calling all Marion County 4-H members! We want to see fall through your eyes!

Grab your camera, get creative, and capture your favorite fall moment for a chance to be our Fallin’ for 4-H Photography Contest winner!

Contest Dates: September 1 – October 19
Photos may also be emailed to Courtney at [email protected]
Who Can Enter: All Marion County 4-H members
Winner Announced: Achievement Night — Friday, November 6

Whether it’s colorful leaves, a beautiful sunset, pumpkins, fall fun, or something completely unique, we want to see what fall looks like through your lens!

Get creative. Capture fall. Show your 4-H spirit

08/31/2026

Junior Leadership Conference

Start your leadership journey at the 2026 Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference! Youth in 7th and 8th grades from across Illinois will come together for a fun-filled weekend of hands-on activities, new connections, and leadership development. Participants will build skills in communication, decision-making, teamwork, and more while discovering opportunities to grow as leaders through Illinois 4-H. Space is limited to the first 100 youth, and this conference typically fills before the registration deadline, so early registration is encouraged.

• Date: November 14-15
• Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield
• Audience: Youth in 7th or 8th grade
• Cost: $215, including lodging, T-shirt, meals, conference supplies, and activities
• Registration Deadline: October 19, or when capacity is reached
• Details and Registration:

Jr. Leadership Conference (JLC) will be held November 14-15, 2026Open to: Any youth in 7th or 8th grade in fall 2026Cost: $215 (Fee covers lodging, t-shirt, meals, conference supplies, and activities.)Conference location: Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL. Register o...

08/31/2026

Award Applications and Livestock Records Due September 15!

Award Applications and Livestock Records are due to the Marion County Extension Office by September 15!

We encourage all members to submit their record books and award applications so they can receive recognition for all their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year. We’re excited to celebrate your dedication and success!

Award applications can be found here: https://extension.illinois.edu/bcjmw/marion-county

08/25/2026

Rabbit Show Results

Breeding Rabbits

Champion Meat Buck under 6 months - Chesney Trout
Champion Meat Buck 6 -8 months - Chesney Trout
Champion Meat Buck over 8 months - Grace Bolin
Champion Meat Doe under 6 months - Eva Trout
Champion Meat Doe 6 -8 months - Chesney Trout
Champion Meat Doe over 8 months - Haley Nattier

Champion Fur Buck under 6 months - Baylie Purcell
Champion Fur Buck over 6 months - Josephine Kesterson
Champion Fur Doe under 6 months - Josephine Kesterson
Champion Fur Doe over 6 months - Penelope Kesterson

Grand Champion Overall Rabbit - Haley Nattier
Reserve Overall Rabbit - Chesney Trout

Market Rabbits

Champion Meat Pen - Haley Nattier
Reserve Meat Pen - Avery Beck

Champion Fryer - Grace Bolin

Grand Champion Overall - Haley Nattier
Reserve Overall - Avery Beck

Junior Showmanship:
Champion Showman - Haley Nattier
Reserve Showman - Grace Bolin

Senior Showmanship:
Champion Showman - Baylie Purcell
Reserve Showman - Halle Dasch

Congratulations to all the Rabbit exhibitors! Keep working hard, and keep up the great work!