ANIMAL SCIENCES

LEARNING, LEADING, AND ADVOCATING

Youth who serve on the Livestock Ambassador Team gain real world experience as they... •Plan Statewide Junior Livestock Conferences •Lead Regional Livestock Clinics •Lead Livestock Skillathons •Assist with State 4-H Livestock Events •Advocate for the livestock industry •Serve on Agricultural youth boards (Youth Education in Agriculture, Junior Association, State Fair) •Plan State Fair activities (Commodity Carnival, Governors Auction, Ag Day, Tours, etc.)

This year's members include:

Maggie Kelly Jordi Oliver Adrianne Hall Sara Timm Kadie Pierson Skye Schumaker Nicole Hill Brady Clark Paige Lemenager Bailey Botterman Travis Wilke Tanner Mickey Abagayle Britton Drake Fletcher Emma Preston Paige Van Dyke Levi Meadows Allyson Aves Emma Coursey Tyler Hall Jacqueline Schertz Lauren Mohr Sara Tarr Katelyn Engel Shelby Basham Remington Curry Lauren Wolter Makenna Green Lydia Oker

This team is sponsored by the

ANIMAL SCIENCES

YOUTH COMMITTEE PREPARES FOR FUTURE AGRICULTURAL CAREERS

Four Illinois 4-H members put their leadership skills into action while building strong agricultural foundations for the future as they join the Youth Education in Agriculture (YEA) Committee through the Illinois Farm Bureau.

This committee helps not only provide quality programs for agricultural education in Illinois, but also helps prepare youth for careers in the agriculture industry. The committee is made up of 4-H and FFA members as well as representatives from the members of the Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies.

Molly Warner of Knox County, Ashleigh Janssen of Tazewell County, Shelby Basham of Kankakee County, and Paige Lemenager of McLean County represented Illinois 4-H this year.

I am most excited about giving back to the organizations that pushed me to pursue what I am so deeply passionate about. Without these organizations, I believe I would not be half the person I am today and I am excited to bring new ideas to the table. SHELBY BASHAM, KANKAKEE COUNTY

ANIMAL SCIENCES

100+

youth gathered at this statewide contest to show their skills as they learn more about how to effectively manage local herds.

GO AHEAD & JUDGE ME

Why? Because livestock judging builds confidence, decision-making, and communication skills youth will use for a lifetime.

It’s a great way to get more involved in the livestock industry and learn more about the livestock that you might be showing or just involved with. It’s also a great way to get out and meet new people and have new opportunities.

CONLEY SCHICK, DEWITT COUNTY

94%

OF YOUTH PARTICIPANTS SAID CARING FOR AND EXHIBITING LIVESTOCK PROJECTS IN 4-H HAS TAUGHT THEM WHAT IT MEANS TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL.

MEMBERS USE THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION

4-H youth from across the state used their knowledge and expertise in the livestock and dairy fields to earn $1000 scholarships at the Illinois Superior Young Producers Contest on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The CME Group and Prairie Farms provided financial support for this event through the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

WHAT CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

4-H embryology programs help youth develop an understanding of biology concepts through direct experience with living things, their life cycles and their habitats.

18,840

TOTAL EMBRYOLOGY YOUTH PARTICIPANTS

5815

HOURS OF EMBRYOLOGY INSTRUCTION STATEWIDE

ANIMAL SCIENCES

CREATING AN ENDOWMENT PROVIDES EVERLASTING SUPPORT FOR 4-H

You can create an endowment to provide support in perpetuity for a 4-H initiative or county 4-H program with a minimum gift of $25,000. Contact the Illinois 4-H Foundation so they can help you create a lasting legacy that will detail your wishes and ensure your intentions can be carried out to support a specific 4-H program or area of your choosing.

4-H partnered with The Simple Room, a Youth Development Center located in Greenville, IL. to help youth learn a new skill while spending time outside!

Photo credit: The Simple Room www.simpleroom.org

ANIMAL SCIENCES

ILLINOIS 4-H FOUNDATION SUPPORTS TEEN COMPETITION EXPERIENCES

This year, Illinois 4-H youth took home these top honors:

•National Grand Champions, Illinois 4-H Livestock Judging Team, NAILE Livestock Judging Contest. •Reserve National Champions, Illinois State 4-H Livestock Skillathon Team, National 4-H Livestock Skillathon Contest. •8th in the nation, Illinois 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Team at the 2021 National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. •9th in the nation, Boone County 4-H Livestock Judging Team, American Royal 4-H Livestock Judging Contest. •Overall High Point Individual, Olivia Charles of Carroll County, Eastern National 4H Roundup in Louisville, KY. •7th place in Public Speaking, Eliza Engelhardt of Marion County, Eastern National 4-H Roundup.

YOUR GIFT HELPS 4-H DO MORE!

Give to support: • National Team Competitions • 4-H for Our Future Fund • 4-H Animal Science Fund