Cumberland County 4-H, Illinois

06/10/2026

Did you participate in the No Limits Livestock Show or see the post and wish you had? The Illinois State Fair is teaming up with Special Olympics for the Sunflower Showmanship! Based on the foundation of the No Limits Show, the Sunflower Showmanship will allow athletes to learn about sheep showing and compete at the Illinois State Fair!!! If you are interested in competing, read the information below and get signed up!!
Want to be a mentor? Let me know, and we will work with the State office to get you signed up!

06/10/2026

We have some very talented 4-H youth. Shining Stars club member Owen Figgins created this image of himself with Alex Gentry and Willow Potter at the No Limits Livestock 4-H Show. These 3 are all 4-H members that attend most of the workshops and activities together. The call themselves the 3 amigos and that they are. True friendship at its best!

06/08/2026

The 4-H No Limits Swine Show provides youth with a disability the opportunity to work with a mentor, learn about swine, show a pig, and see their continued potential in the world!

Cumberland County 4-H hosted a multi-county show with youth from Cumberland, Shelby, and Effingham counties participating and youth from Cumberland and Coles counties mentoring.

Each participant was paired with 1-2 mentors and given time to learn about swine showing and their individual pig. They took the opportunity to practice in the show ring before the big event!!

Upon show time the youth entered the ring one by one with their pig and mentor and walked their pig for the judge to see. The judge asked each participant to give their name, their pigs name, and one thing they learned about their pig over the microphone. If these kids were nervous they didn’t let it show. They took to the microphone like champs.
Our first round consisted of Owen Figgens, Alex Gentry, and River Henderson. Our second round Willow Potter and Joel Winskill took to the show ring and rounding out our show was Jordynn Daskenbrock whose pig had laid down next to her wheelchair earlier during practice showing the true bond they formed.

Each participant received a banner, personalized poster, No Limits T-Shirt and a goodie bag full of pig themed gifts. We celebrated the youths success with pizza and cupcakes.

Thank you to Owen Figgins and Alex Gentry for starting our show by singing the National Anthem. I had not asked the boys ahead of time and they stepped up to the microphone, faced the flag, and sang the song with pride together!

A huge thank you to our mentors, Kaitlyn Hemmen, Sophia Thornton, Emma Light, Reid & Myles Kaufman, Maverick Schultz, Bryn Overton, and Dane McKinney!! You showed true leadership today and showed everyone what 4-H is all about.

Thank you to the parents who continue to encourage and support their kids in learning and trying new opportunities!!

Thank you to Kevin Carey, assistant dean and director of Illinois 4-H for judging our show and inspiring our youth. As Kevin said “It's always a beautiful day when we get to uplift our youth experiences in Illinois 4-H”.

And last but not least thank you to YQCA for providing us with a grant to fund this incredible event.

To say we are proud of the participants and mentors would be an understatement!! They all took themselves out of their comfort zones to grow and learn and most importantly experience something new and be confident doing so.

Congratulations to all our participants!! You are all Shining Stars!!!

06/04/2026

Join us for 4-H Day with the Thrillbillies on June 28 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Dew Stadium in Marion, Illinois!
Step up to the plate for an exciting afternoon of history, learning, and baseball fun! Illinois 4-H families and clubs are invited to Southern Illinois to experience Life Lessons on the Diamond: Buck O'Neil and the Negro Baseball Leagues, a powerful educational exhibit celebrating the legacy of baseball legend and humanitarian Buck O'Neil. Pair this unique learning opportunity with 4-H Day at the ballpark as we cheer on the Thrillville Thrillbillies! Youth and families will explore inspiring stories of leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and character while enjoying America's favorite pastime.
Don't delay! For just $20, participants who register by June 16 will receive admission to the game, an all-you-can-eat meal, and a commemorative event T-shirt. After June 16, tickets are just $12 and include admission to the game and an all-you-can-eat meal. Gather your club, bring your family, and join us for a memorable day of education, connection, and baseball excitement.
Mt. Dew Stadium 1000 Miners Drive, | Marion, IL
Give your child a fun and enriching summer experience with 4-H!
Registration required!
Go to https://go.illinois.edu/4-Hday to register today!

06/03/2026

I have extended the Fair Entry enrollment deadline to today due to some technical issues with the website. If you weren't able to register, please register today!

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

Our phones are out of service. Please call our Coles County Extension office at 217-345-7034 for assistance.

06/01/2026

Tomorrow, June 2, is the last day to sign up for the Cumberland County 4-H Fair.

05/26/2026

We highly encourage everyone who is participating in the Cumberland County 4-H Horse Show to attend the clinic. Register at https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/multi-county-horse-show-clinic

Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, and Moultrie County 4-H members interested in exhibiting horses may attend the 4-H Horse Clinic on June 13, 2026, at 6 PM. The clinic will be held at CCEEBA, 205 S. New York St. Toledo, IL.
You will be working with the horse superintendents to perfect your riding skills in practice classes, review rules and regulations, ensure your equipment is show-ready, and get valuable feedback. Meet fellow 4-H horse enthusiasts and gain confidence for future shows!

What to bring: Helmet, 1 horse, proper tack equipment for the horse, and a water bottle.

Register at: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/multi-county-horse-show-clinic