Illinois 4-H

Issue

Nearly 302,000 hunting licenses are sold in Illinois annually. A hunting-related shooting incident is defined as an occurrence when a person is injured as the result of the discharge of a sporting arm while hunting or trapping. Often these incidents result from failing to follow...

Issue

Employers say many new employees lack basic skills to be productive in the workforce. Lack of available workers challenge the economic viability of families, businesses, and communities across Illinois. Some youth lack knowledge of preparing a personal budget and managing...

Issue

Organizations lack leaders skilled in strategic planning, change management, idea sharing, listening, and emotional intelligence. This skill and knowledge gap impacts all industries.

Action

For many 4-H members, the leadership path starts in their local club,...

Issue

Cities and towns lack financial support for efforts that would enhance the community. Youth lack understanding of how governments work and how to advocate for change. Youth need opportunities to practice generosity and philanthropy. In order for youth to succeed in the 21st...

Issue

More than 1.9 million Illinois residents do not have regular access to nutritious food. One in five residents experience hunger weekly. More than 270,000 Illinoisans live in food deserts. These numbers are expected to worsen due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to...

Issue

Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use is a national dilemma, with an estimated 23.9 million Americans age 12 and older having used an illicit drug or misused a prescription drug. Illinois deaths attributed to opioid use has increased 44.3% since 2013.

Action

Illinois 4...

Issue

A vital STEM workforce is needed to drive innovation in today’s global world. Workers lack skills in problem solving, design, programming, scientific inquiry, investigation, independent thinking, and teamwork.

Action

Illinois 4-H is empowering youth to be the...

Explore activities not available in their community
Make lifelong friendships
Step outside their comfort zone to try new things
Work as a team for a common goal
Gain outdoor skills
Unplug from technology
Gain independence
Practice environmental stewardship
Explore...

Issue

The world population will surpass 9 billion people by 2050, creating higher demand for food, water, productive land, and environmentally-safe practices. Producers are faced with many challenges, such as food safety, regulations, consumer attitudes, sustainability, and...

Issue

The world’s growing population is putting increased demands on our limited natural resources changing the earth’s climate and future environmental health.

Action

Illinois 4-H youth are learning about the environment through fun activities involving solar and...