STERLING – Two 4-H clubs in Whiteside County were recently honored for their achievements with a statewide Excel Club Award.

Recognition and awards are an important part of 4-H. Recognition encourages young people and increases their interest in the opportunities that are available to them as they become more capable and competent young adults.

Hume Happy Hustlers and Cottonwood clubs were honored with a Community Service Excel Club Award due to a demonstrated focus on their 4-H club’s work in service to/for others, emphasizing youth leadership in planning and implementing the service work.

According to Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside 4-H Youth Educator Danielle Gapinski, “One of the pillars of 4-H is giving your hands to larger service. We are thrilled to see two of our local clubs recognized for their contributions to bettering their communities by exemplifying the attributes of 4-H. We hope these skills and lessons will carry with each member throughout their lives as they continue to build better communities.”

Those who wish to learn more about 4-H in Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties may contact our office at 815-632-3611.

4-H Pixel Pioneers

unveils a vibrant

canvas for creativity

Typography…CMYK…PNG…what does it all mean? Youth ages 8-18 years old will delve into the digital realm during 4-H Pixel Pioneers Virtual SPIN club. Participants will explore color theory, typography, brand recognition, logos, layout basics, and more.

Sessions will take place on Zoom, with supplemental materials being mailed to participants before the first session. A supply fee of $5 for current members and a supply and enrollment fee of $25 for non-members is requested.

Pixel Pioneers will be held on Tuesdays, April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Enrollment is requested by Monday, April 1st by visiting go.illinois.edu/pixelpioneersnewmember for those without a ZSuite account and go.illinois.edu/pixelpioneers for currently enrolled members.

This state-wide opportunity will be led by 4-H Youth Development Educator Danielle Gapinski, who can be reached for questions at des85@illinois.edu or 815-632-3611. Before joining the University of Illinois Extension, Danielle worked in graphic design with positions at IMEC, the Peoria Civic Center, and NewsTribune/AgriNews, as well as freelance work for several companies and organizations.

For more information about the 4-H program, call the University of Illinois Extension – Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside Unit Office at 815-632-3611. Please indicate when registering or contact the Extension office if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate. Extension offices are located in Mt. Carroll, Amboy, and Sterling.

The Mission of the University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future.

Secure Your Spot for the Ready…Set…Grow… Gardening Workshop!

DIXON – Garden enthusiasts, rejoice! University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Carroll, Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of the “Ready…Set…Grow…” gardening workshop on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Loveland Community Building in Dixon. Early registration is now open, and green thumbs are encouraged to take advantage of exclusive benefits by securing their spots before the March 8, 2024 deadline.

This year’s workshop promises an unparalleled experience, with horticulturist Tyler Hagemann headlining the event. In his keynote address, “Blooms of Brilliance: Nurturing Annuals for a Vibrant Garden,” Tyler will unveil the latest and most captivating blooms set to adorn gardens in 2024.

Visit go.illinois.edu/readysetgrow to register today. The registration fee for this enriching program is $25, offering incredible value for a morning filled with gardening inspiration, education, and community.

Join us at Ready…Set…Grow… and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts, learn from industry experts, and leave with the knowledge and motivation to make your garden thrive in 2024.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a vibrant gardening community. Register early, and let’s cultivate a garden of knowledge together on March 23, 2024!

For more information and to register, visit go.illinois.edu/readysetgrow or contact Ogle County Extension office at 815-732-2191.