The McLean County branch of the 4-H program has a higher turnout than in recent years.
The McLean County Fair 4-H show is the largest of any such show at county fairs across Illinois; 4-H showcases allow kids and young adults to build their skills with and compete in a wide range of activities.
Membership
Participation rebounded for 4-H programming in McLean County after a drop-off immediately after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were about 300 fewer members in the fall of 2021 than there had been before, but steady gains each year since then have put current membership at just under 1,000.
“I anticipate that it will be very difficult for us to grow much more than where we're at right now,” said Katie Buckley, Extension county director serving McLean, Livingston and Woodford counties.
Buckley said efforts to bring membership back included eliminating enrollment fees to take away an additional barrier to join. Some additional losses may come from some kids choosing travel sports teams or school programming instead, she said.
“I think as long as youth are involved in something, that’s great,” said Buckley. “We'll continue partnerships with other organizations that also run youth programs to see how we can work together to get that engagement.”
“There's been a lot of new people coming in, and I think it's really encouraging every year to see people come and be like, ‘This is my first year in 4-H. I don't know what I'm doing,’” said Heather Marquis, who volunteered with her mom to help out for certain category competitions and has been involved in 4-H programming since she was 8 years old.
“And to be able to just tell them my experience and to see them grow and love the projects,” she said.
County fair exhibits
4-H members take part in a wide range of different exhibitions during the annual fair that began Wednesday at the county fairgrounds in west Bloomington. Nutrition, plant and soil science, engineering and technology and livestock categories are a few examples of broad categories that have many more specific categories of competition within them.
Jolee Maharas, of Heyworth, is participating in the party planning competition, part of the food innovations category.
“We basically plan a party, and we have to schedule everything when we're gonna make it,” said Maharas. “So by, like, 7 p.m. we're gonna start making the Chex Mix for the next day and just kind of figuring out what our decorations are and what we're gonna do.”
Maharas said participating helps her gain more skills in planning events, adding it also helps her plan things for the 4-H Federation, which she serves as treasurer. The federation works with the office of McLean County 4-H Extension, with youth volunteering to help events flow.
Bella Binkley, president of the county federation, attends Heartland Community College and plans to transfer to Illinois State University.
“I come from a 4-H family. So my great-grandpa, he started a 4-H club in Chenoa. That's where I'm from, and then my grandma continued on. My dad, my uncle, just kind of a whole family affair. So I've been in 4-H, this is my 11th year,” she said, adding the many opportunities for 4-H members teach kids how to talk with adults.
“I think that's a really big thing for youth anymore, kind of getting away from the screens, talking to real people, especially adults,” said Binkley. “Starting when you're 8, I think that's a big deal for youth.”
The 4-H activities continue at the McLean County Fair through Sunday.
