How do you increase livestock productivity? How do you keep your herd healthy? What traits do you want in your breeding stock? How do you successfully run your farm business? This conference is open to members in 7th, 8th & 9th grades and provides hands-on opportunity built around the science and disciplines of livestock production and exhibition. The conference is held every other year.

 

2025 Junior Livestock Conference January 25-26 in Springfield, IL 

REGISTER FOR JR. LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE NOW!

Conference location: Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL. 

Open to: any 4-H member in 7th, 8th, or 9th grades. Participants do not have to own livestock to attend. 

Cost: $170 (Fee covers lodging, t-shirt, meals, conference supplies and activities.)

Registration deadline: January 2, 2025

  • Registration is limited to the first 100 youth who register.
  • Participants are encouraged to register early as this conference usually reaches capacity before the registration deadline.  A waitlist will be activated once capacity is reached. 
Check out the conference schedule!  

Required forms: All forms will be included in the online registration form.

Payment options during registration: 

  1. Members pay on their own by credit card at the time of registration.
  2. My County is Paying. Some (not all) counties may be able to assist with the registration fee. Members need to check with local extension staff prior to registration.  

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations made by January 2, 2025 will receive a refund minus a 3% credit card fee. Please let us know if you cannot attend so that we may let someone on the waiting list have the opportunity to experience this event. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after January 2, 2025. All cancellations and refund requests must be received in writing to the State 4-H Office by emailing Sandra Patterson, skpttrsn@illinois.edu.

Conference Check In on Saturday, Jan. 25: 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Conference Program begins: 11:00 AM

Pick Up on Sunday, Jan. 26: 11:45 AM 

What to wear: We will be doing lots of activities so bring comfortable clothes and shoes that would be normally worn to school.

Volunteer Chaperones Needed: Potential chaperones may apply by clicking the registration button at the top of the page and choosing the volunteer option on the Livestock Conference registration. 

Chaperone Criteria: Adults who are at least 21 years of age may apply. Chaperones must be current with 4-H volunteer screening and training before the event. If screening is needed, please contact your local extension office. There is no charge for chaperones to attend the event. Chaperones will have an assigned roommate, but a preferred roommate (not a youth participant) may be requested. County staff are encouraged to share our need for chaperones with their volunteers. County staff are always welcome to serve as chaperones with permission from their county directors. Approved chaperones will be notified by email in January. If more screened chaperones apply than what is needed for this event, chaperones will be determined by the date and time they registered online. 

Conference Planning Committee: The Illinois 4-H State Livestock Ambassador Team plans and leads this conference. 

Programming Questions:  Dan Jennings, State 4-H Livestock Specialist and conference director,  djjennin@illinois.edu

Logistic Questions: contact Sandra Patterson,  skpttrsn@illinois.edu  

Support: The conference is supported with funds from the Illinois 4-H Foundation, Farm Credit and Illinois Pork Producers Association. 

 

Curious what to see what the Junior Livestock Conference is all about? Watch this video to see how hands-on learning takes place and hear what youth like you think makes 4-H special!