2025 Illinois 4-H Alumni Awards Nominations Now Open
Illinois 4-H Alumni Association Awards & Recognition Program
The Illinois 4-H Alumni Awards program aims to recognize alumni for their individual achievements, contributions to their industry or profession, service to the community, and loyalty to the Illinois 4-H program.
Previously, the Illinois 4-H Alumni award and the Illinois 4-H Family Spirit awards were established and presented by the Illinois 4-H Foundation. The Illinois 4-H Alumni award was discontinued in 2015. The Illinois 4-H Alumni Association will partner with the Illinois State 4-H Office to continue these awards into the future.
2025 4-H Alumni Award winners will be recognized one day during the Illinois State Fair, August 8-10, 2025.
Nomination Timeline
- October 6, 2024 - Nominations open
- March 15, 2025 - Nominations due to the Illinois State 4-H Office. (Deadline is FIRM)
- Spring - Committee will begin their review and make final selections.
- Early-Mid Summer - Award winners will be notified and recognition coordinated.
- August 2025 - Recipients will be recognized one day during the Illinois State Fair.
Illinois 4-H Alumni Award
Established in 1981
The highest honor is bestowed upon a 4-H alumnus by the Illinois 4-H Association and Illinois 4-H program on behalf of the University of Illinois. This award recognizes an elite group of Illinois 4-H alumni for their outstanding career accomplishments and leadership in civic, community, and professional activities.
Any individual is eligible to receive the award which was:
- An Illinois 4-H member for a minimum of three years
- Is living at the time of selection (Current 4-H staff are not eligible.)
Nominations due March 15, 2025.
4-H Young Alumni Award
Established in 2023
The Young Alumni award is bestowed upon alumni by the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association and Illinois 4-H program on behalf of the University of Illinois. This award recognizes young alumni that have demonstrated significant accomplishments and are emerging leaders in their professional or civic contributions to their community. They have proven to be ambassadors for the Illinois 4-H program and the 4-H young alumni community.
Any individual is eligible to receive the award which is:
- Under 30 years old on or before January 1, 2024.
- A member of the Illinois 4-H program for a minimum of three years.
- Must be living at the time of selection
- Current 4-H staff are not eligible.
Nominations due March 15, 2025.
IL 4-H Family Spirit Award
Established in 2002
The Illinois 4-H Family Spirit award recognizes an Illinois 4-H family who has substantially benefited from and continues to advocate for the Illinois 4-H program over at least three generations.
Guidelines for Nomination:
Any family eligible to receive the award which has the following:
- A minimum of three generations of the family are represented.
- A minimum of 15 different family members (including in-laws) have either been 4-H members, leaders, or volunteers
- Have a minimum of 100 cumulative years of 4-H membership or volunteerism represented by the family.
Families will submit the following:
- Completed 4-H Family online Nomination
- "My Family 4-H Story", a maximum of 1200 words (max two pages) sharing how 4-H impacted your family and how your family has supported 4-H.
- A Family Tree. Please list each family member with the following information noted: Full Name, Relationship to Family Member, Date of Birth, Living or Deceased?., # years in 4-H, Home County/State.
- All materials must be submitted by the deadline.
Selection Process:
- A committee will review the nominations.
- One family will be selected statewide each year.
- Family contact will be notified following selection.
- Winners will be recognized one day at the 2025 Illinois State Fair, August 8-10.
- The 4-H Family Spirit award may only be received once per family.
All nominations will be kept on file for three years to be reviewed; however, nominators are encouraged to update forms if they are re-considered after the initial year of application.
Nominations due March 15, 2025.