County fair season is just around the corner, and even more so are deadlines for 4-H fair competitions through the University of Illinois Extension.  Interested participants must submit their project plans by April 15.  This allows the Extension to coordinate their own logistics as needed before the fairs open up. 

Taylor Sinclair is a 4-H youth program coordinator with the University of Illinois Extension.  She says Extension staff can guide new participants through the online submission process

As the weather warms up, the Extension is running more events as part of their 4-H program.  A subset of them require that participants be 4-H members.  This includes the first such event, which is a horse showmanship workshop.  It’s scheduled for Saturday, March 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. at 32271 Deer Creek Road in Girard. 

The next event does not require 4-H membership.  This is a youth canning class taking place on Thursday, April 2 from 9-11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Morrisonville. 

Just four days later is a career exploration trip.  Participants will visit two manufacturing facilities in Litchfield.  This event is open only to 4-H members aged 13 and up. 

The Extension office is also beginning a new community service project called “Kindness Rocks.”  In this effort, participants paint uplifting messages on rocks and leave them in public places. 

More information on the University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H involvements is available at 4h.extension.illinois.edu.  This website also has links to register for the aforementioned programs as well as many others.

Taylor Sinclair appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.