4-H in Macoupin County

What's it like in 4-H?

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In 4-H, you get to decide what topics and projects interest you most. You make 4-H what you want it to be. Work on many projects or focus on one or two. Choose what events sound fun to you, and do them. In 4-H, you have an important role in making your community a better place to live, but you don’t have to do it alone. As a club, you’ll figure out what’s needed most in your neighborhood and find ways to help.

In 4-H, you’re part of a family working together. At club meetings, you’ll learn how to get along with others as you build your skills and help your community. In 4-H, you’ll meet adults who care about you and want to help you succeed. 4-H matches you with mentors who will coach you in areas like problem solving, communicating, and teamwork. 4-H introduces you to potential careers and then gives you the training to get the career you want.

We host several local workshops and programs throughout the year in Macoupin County. If you don't see one listed below, go to our events tab!

Colored powder explosion on a black background with a blue splatter in the middle. Text in the middle reads "Science Blast 4-H Science Camp".

4-H Science Camp

Get ready to blast off this summer at 4-H Science Camp! This action-packed program is designed to launch young scientists into a world of discovery.

Register

A chef wearing a green apron with the text "4-H Food Challenge" on the middle of the apron with a white 4-H clover underneath the text.

4-H Food Challenge

Learn about kitchen and food safety, food preparation, and nutrition with this exciting team competition! Participants will register their team (3-4 youth) to attend and learn the basics of cooking, discover flavor profiles, and build confidence in the kitchen.

Register

A person welding. Text reads "Career Exploration Trip".

MTI Tour

Participants will travel to Springfield to visit Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) to learn about vocational training in mechanical trades and allied health career fields.

Register

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Fairs and Shows

Awards

Scholarships

Scholarships

  • McAllister/Robinson Scholarship Application - The Macoupin County 4-H Foundation awards a scholarship to an outstanding 4-H member who is either a high school senior or freshman in college or trade school. The $500 scholarship is awarded at Achievement Night. Scholarship applications are due by September 1.

Required Trainings to Show Livestock

  • YQCA – Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (required for beef, dairy, goats, sheep, and swine)
  • QAEC – Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification (required for dog, cat, poultry, rabbit, small pet, and horse)
  • Due May 1 in order for you to show livestock at your local county 4-H fair.

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Do you know the history of Illinois 4-H?

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Illinois 4-H has a strong history dating back to 1899 when William B. Otwell formed the first boy's corn club in Macoupin County,  Illinois. Otwell is credited as a pioneer in 4-H. He was elected president of the Macoupin County Farmers Institute, which introduced farm and home topics and comparative classes for rural youth. To create more enthusiasm for the institute,  he purchased the best seed corn he could buy, and approximately 500 boys in the county received one-ounce samples to plant in the spring. Otwell wrote to implement companies and breeders of livestock, asking for donations that would be used as premiums. The response was more than he expected. One implement manufacturing company sent cultivators, another sent windmills, an Angus breeder offered a cow, and other farmers donated hogs and sheep. The result was that over 500 boys and their families were at the courthouse on the opening day of the Farmers Institute.

National 4-H History Preservation Program (Earliest National Event)

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