The 4-H Partnership Award recognizes groups, business organizations and governmental agencies that have worked closely with University of Illinois Extension in supporting the Illinois 4-H program.

• Illinois State Fair

• Jim Ryan

Illinois 4-H presented the Illinois State Fair with the 2001 4-H Partnership Award during 4-H Day, Nov. 10, at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana campus.

For more than 70 years the Illinois State Fair has provided support to positive youth development activities through 4-H. State Fair and 4-H staff members coordinate the Superior Young Producer Contest for livestock exhibitors. Since its inception in 1996, the Illinois State Fair has supported this expansion of educational programming by seeking financial support for $27,500 in scholarships and awards annually.

In addition, State Fair is instrumental in working with the media and the Junior Department Press Office to provide outstanding coverage of the Governor’s Sale of Champions. As animal exhibitors increase in number each year, State Fair works with 4-H staff and volunteers to provide a safe, educational experience for all involved.

State Fair serves on advisory committees for 4-H exhibits, staffing, displays and events scheduled during the two weeks of the fair in August. Remodeling projects for the Junior Livestock Building and the Junior Home Economics Building received State Fair support in the development of plans.

In 1997, the Illinois State Fair partnered with Illinois 4-H members and leaders in launching a massive statewide food drive that now collects more than 55 tons of nonperishable food items each year. That campaign, 4-H CAN Make a Difference, continues to grow with State Fair support, collecting valuable resources for the needy in Illinois communities.

Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan received the 2001 Illinois 4-H Partnership award for his support of the youth development program.

Ryan was recognized on 4-H Day, Nov. 10, on the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana campus.

In 1997 Ryan presented 4-H with a $10,000 award to expand the 4-H Legislative Ambassador program from a small core of 25 interested youth to more than 2,225 ambassadors. Teams of 4-H youth, alumni and other adults were established in nearly every Illinois legislative district to increase their knowledge of state government through discussions with elected officials and to strengthen individual communication and leadership skills.

Since the initial award, the 4-H Legislative Ambassador program has received a $5,000 award each year. More than 34,100 youth have enrolled since the program began. To facilitate discussions with legislators, the ambassador program expanded attendance at a Legislative Connection event at the State Capitol in Springfield.

Ambassadors also work through community groups to identify local needs and develop youth community action initiatives in response to those needs. Thousands of community projects have been designed and conducted by 4-H youth, including the award-winning 4-H CAN Make a Difference food drive that addresses the problem of hunger in Illinois.

With support of Attorney General Ryan, the Illinois 4-H Ambassador program provides thousands of youth with the opportunity to become active partners with local, state and national government leaders to help make a difference in the lives of youth, their families and the communities in which they live.

Ryan was first elected Attorney General in 1994. During his first term, he developed anti-gang initiatives as chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Gangs, fought for legislation to combat child abuse and domestic violence, and increased protection for senior citizens and other consumers.