Cumberland County 4-H, Illinois

09/03/2026

Check your email or the website https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/37/557127837.html for this month's newsletter. It has important dates and upcoming events.

09/03/2026

Join Unit 20 on October 16 for the 2nd Annual Livestock Judging Contest! Youth ages 8-18, including 4-H and FFA members, are invited to showcase their judging abilities with cattle, swine, sheep, and goats.
October 16 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Martinsville Fairgrounds
$20 per school or coach
Open to youth ages 8-18
Junior Division & Senior Division
Max of 4 per team, top 3 scores count
Stenopads are allowed
We are using Scantrons this year, so please bring clipboards and pencils.
Lunch will not be available at the event, so please plan accordingly.
Register at go.illinois.edu/unit20livestock
We look forward to seeing you there

09/03/2026

Interested in a career in Animal Sciences? Join National 4-H, September 29, 6-7p.m. CT to explore career insights, advice, and more!

09/02/2026

09/02/2026

Illinois 4-H offers a Food Advocacy Grant every year! Club leaders, teachers, coaches, etc are welcome to apply! You do not have to be in 4-H to receive the grant, you just have to have the desire to help fight food insecurity in our community!

1. Applications Open Until September 30: Applications can be filled out by 4-H youth, club leaders, 4-H staff, or partners. We ask that project leaders communicate with local 4-H staff so that you are aware of their project and you can have some initial conversations in case they are accepted. If you don't have the capacity locally to support the project, that's a good opportunity to reach out to me and see what we can do to support the idea.
a. Note: It is the project lead's responsibility to reach out to local 4-H staff about their application. They are required to submit a form for local 4-H staff to fill out in order for the project to be considered. This is aimed at preventing any surprises and avoiding creating extra work for y'all.
2. Projects announced by October 9th via email: Acceptance announcements will be sent via email to the project lead and local 4-H staff with some accompanying documents. We will request confirmation of the funding with the intention to complete the project within all the guidelines within two weeks. This will be a good time to communicate any questions or concerns you may have to me directly so as not to slow down the funds transfer process later on.
3. Funds Transferred from State Office to Local Offices: Once the project has been accepted, your Unit will receive a request for additional information from Mary Turngren in the State 4-H Office. Once we have that information, we will transfer funds to your Unit office for you to utilize in purchasing the required supplies/materials for the service project. The goal of this is to allow local staff the opportunity to weigh in on the project with the goal of ultimately strengthening the local 4-H program and building new leaders.
4. Projects Completed by Deadline: Deadlines for completion will be communicated in the acceptance letter. Should an extension be required, those can be communicated to me via email and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
5. Reporting Process: Reporting links will also be sent out for project leads to submit data, photos, testimonials, and feedback so we can tell the story of your success to the rest of the state.

09/01/2026

Illinois 7th and 8th Grade Youth Invited to Take Part in 4-H Junior Leadership Conference Set for November 14–15
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois youth in seventh and eighth grades (you do not have to be a 4-H member) are invited to take part in the 2026 Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference (JLC), a fun-filled weekend designed to help young people discover their leadership potential, build valuable life skills, and learn more about opportunities available through Illinois 4-H.
The conference will be held November 14–15, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield. The event is open to any youth currently in seventh or eighth grade.
Throughout the conference, participants will take part in hands-on activities and engaging experiences focused on leadership development. Youth will have opportunities to strengthen skills in communication, decision-making, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, while meeting other 4-H members from across Illinois.
“The Junior Leadership Conference is an opportunity for young people to step outside their comfort zones, meet new friends, and begin developing the leadership skills they will use throughout their lives,” according to Illinois 4-H.
The conference registration fee is $215, which includes lodging, meals, a conference T-shirt, conference supplies, and activities.
Registration Opens August 31
Registration for the 2026 Junior Leadership Conference opens August 31, 2026, with a deadline of October 19, 2026. Participation is limited to the first 100 youth who register, and the conference typically reaches capacity well before the registration deadline. Youth and families are encouraged to register early. Once the conference reaches capacity, a waitlist will be activated.
Participants can register through the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference website. Required forms will be included as part of the online registration process.
Youth who are not currently Illinois 4-H members will need to create a ZSuite account before registering. Registration assistance and information about creating a ZSuite account are available through Illinois 4-H.
Families also have several payment options. Participants may pay the registration fee by credit card during registration. In some counties, local Extension offices may be able to assist with all or part of the registration cost. Youth should contact their local Extension office before registering to determine whether county assistance is available.
Scholarships are also available for youth who need financial assistance. Scholarship requests can be made directly through the conference registration process in ZSuite. Applications will be reviewed closer to the registration deadline, and youth will be notified by email if they receive a scholarship. Scholarship opportunities are made possible through support from the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
A Weekend of Leadership and Connection
The conference begins Saturday, November 14, with check-in and ice breakers from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the conference program. Participants will remain at the hotel for the overnight experience and activities before being picked up at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday, November 15.
The Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team plans and leads the conference, creating an experience that combines leadership education, teamwork, fun, and opportunities for youth to connect with their peers from across the state.
The Junior Leadership Conference is one of many ways Illinois 4-H encourages young people to develop confidence and leadership skills that can benefit them in school, their communities, future careers, and beyond.
Youth interested in attending are encouraged to register as soon as possible because space is limited.
2026 Junior Leadership Conference at a Glance
• Who: Youth in 7th and 8th grades
• When: November 14–15, 2026
• Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield, Illinois
• Cost: $215, including lodging, meals, T-shirt, supplies, and activities
• Registration Opens: August 31, 2026
• Registration Deadline: October 19, 2026
• Capacity: First 100 youth registered
• Conference Contact: Katie Duitsman, [email protected], for programming and scholarship questions
• Registration/Logistics: Jessica Hays, [email protected]
For registration information and assistance, families are encouraged to visit the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference website or contact their local Extension office.

Registration Guidance:
• Non-members will need to create a ZSuite account before registering for the event. Go to https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/participate/zsuite-enrollment-info to learn more.
• Need help registering for the event? Go to https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/events/zsuite-event-registration-how

Section Registering for a 4-H EventBelow are detailed instructions for registering for an event in the Zsuite system. Directions for Registering for an EventLog In to your family’s household ZSuite account at 4h.zsuite.org. Don’t have a ZSuite account already? Start one using the “SIGN UP” b...

08/31/2026

Interesting learning about Alpacas and even showing them at the 4-H fair? We have just the opportunity for you! Join our Alpaca SPIN Club this fall when 4-H sign-ups begin! Sheila will work with you at her alpaca farm to learn about nutrition, grooming, spinning wool, and showing alpacas. Questions: Contact me at [email protected]

08/28/2026

Don't forget to register for the CPR and AED training. The Toledo Masonic Lodge #834 is sponsoring this event to allow it to be free for all Cumberland County 4-H members and volunteers. Space is limited so sign up today https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/cumberland-county-life-skills-first-aid-and-fire-prevention-workshop-2

EXCITING NEWS!

Did you miss out on signing up for the CPR and AED workshop? Thanks to the Toledo Masonic Lodge, we can offer a second workshop to 10 members or volunteers free of charge! Don't miss out again, sign up today! https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/cumberland-county-life-skills-first-aid-and-fire-prevention-workshop-2

08/28/2026

Apply to join the Illinois 4-H Delegation to the Ignite by 4-H Youth Summit! Ignite by 4-H brings together teen leaders from across the nation for learning, leadership, and connection in our nation’s capital. It’s your chance to explore your passions, build new skills, and meet friends from all over the U.S.!

📍 Washington, D.C.
🗓 March 17–21, 2027
✅ Ages 13–18
🔗 Learn more and apply by September 23 at noon: go.illinois.edu/IL4HIgnite