Illinois 4-H

Green is the color of choice in the first segment of our garden walk. For over 100 years, the 4-H Youth Development Program has opened doors to A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR TODAY'S YOUTH. The time honored four-leaf clover is a protected symbol that proudly reminds the world of our four-fold emphasis: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. Children ages 5 - 18 have learned new life skills in a variety of nurturing environments including 4-H community clubs, area classrooms, and home school settings. Adult volunteers have also blossomed by developing leadership skills in a variety of roles such a club leader, mentor, project leader, fair superintendent, and committee member.

• Over 1,000 community club members and adult volunteers participated in the 4-H program last year and spotlighted their outstanding achievements at the two county fairs.
  
  
• School Enrichment kits were in 13 schools and reached over 700 youth. Each of the 12 kits available for teachers to borrow for use in their classroom is matched to Illinois Learning Standards.
  
  
• 189 youth participants and 61 adult volunteers participated in Welcome to the Real World. The program is a hands-on activity and gives high school seniors the opportunity to explore career opportunities and make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis.
  
  
• The Character Counts character education program helped 425 youth in grades 1-2 and 3-5 focus on making positive character choices at school and beyond.
  
  
• 55 Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 8th graders attended the R.I.S.K. (Real Issues of the Sexual Kind) program. This simulation activity and guided discussion provided teens with a visual understanding of the costs associated with engaging in sexual activity and other risky behavior.
  
  
• The annual 4-H Awards and Recognition Event was attended by 75 youth and 50 adults. This event provides an avenue to recognize outstanding 4-H members and volunteers for their hard work and dedication.
  
  
• In October 2005, University of Illinois Extension, Ford-Iroquois Unit networked with five other agencies (Iroquois Memorial Hospital, , Iroquois County Sheriff's Department, Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department, Iroquois Mental Health Center and Iroquois County Probation Department) to plan Red Ribbon Week activities. Eight high school students from Iroquois West High School were trained to identify methamphetamine waste and its hazards. Each day a different pair of these youth presented U of I Extension's segment along with the adult representatives from the other agencies. Together this group raised the awareness of Meth. to over 800 high school and junior high school students in Iroquois County. Since Red Ribbon Week, the program has also been presented at:
  
  
  • Iroquois County School Administrators Meeting
  • FCCLA District meeting.
  • Woodland Grade School-4-5 grades
  • Glenn Raymond Jr. High School
  • Ford-Iroquois Extension Ag Day in Buckley
  • Town and Country Helpers 4-H meeting
  • Ford County Ministerial Association Training
  • Danforth Blue Ribbon 4-H meeting
    
    
• Twelve youth (ages 4-10 years) participated in the Food Fun Family and Fitness program (F4), a six week program made possible through a 2005 National 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Grant received from the National 4-H Council.
  
  
• The first annual Community Child Safety Fair educated over 150 parents and children from diverse backgrounds about keeping safe. In addition, attendees received information about 4-H as well as enjoyable recreational activities in the area. This joint effort between U of I Extension and Iroquois Sexual Assault Services was partially funded by a marketing grant from the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
  
  
• Approximately 10 - 15 youth have participated in the "Sew What!" 4-H project workshop series. These exciting efforts feature four Home & Community Education (HCE) ladies who have volunteered their time and sewing expertise to assist with this mentoring program. Grantsmanship has allowed the Extension office to provide eleven portable sewing machines for use by 4-Hers during the workshops and also on fair projects at home.
  
  
• U of I Extension staff worked with a local volunteer and a 4-H club to plan and organize a hay drive for the Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. Over $700 was raised by 4-H clubs to cover transportation costs for the enclosed semi trailer carrying 575 bales of hay that was donated towards this effort.
  
  
• Ford-Iroquois 4-H Federation held its annual food drive and collected over 842 non perishable food items that benefited 8 food pantries in both Ford and Iroquois County. In addition, 4-H Federation members collected over 50 winter hats and mittens for the Mitten Tree project that were then distributed through the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department. They also wrote 35 Letters of Caring and Hope to Hurricane Katrina victims.
  
  
• 16 Youth attended Pork Quality Assurance Training and learned good production practices in raising safe and good quality pork for consumers.