Erica Austin is a native of Sangamon County. She provides leadership to 4-H metro-programming in Sangamon County. Her youth development assignment includes leading positive youth development initiatives for after-school programs, community groups, 4-H community clubs and other youth-serving organizations - with special emphasis on youth in our local metropolitan area. Her areas of expertise include youth/adult partnerships, positive youth development principles, youth leadership, volunteer development, and work with adolescents. Erica's duties also include collaborating with a variety of organizations and programs within the community.
Erica attended Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois and received an associates of Arts degree. She holds a bachelors degree in Sociology from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa as well as a Masters degree in Human Services specializing in child and family services from the University of Illinois in Springfield, Illinois.
Erica is a strong believer in the old proverb "it takes a village to raise a child", because we all are connected in this human race, and have a duty to hold each other accountable and ensure the responsible upbringing of our youth.
August
1 Sangamon County 4-H Show Comment Meeting
2 Menard County 4-H Show Comment Meeting
6 4-H State Fair Food Stand Opens
8 Shotgun at Lefthanders
8 Junior Rabbit Show
9 State 4-H Poultry Judging Contest
9 Junior Poultry Show
9 Performance Cow Judging
9 Junior Meat Goat Wether Judging
9-10 Junior Beef Heifer Show
9-19 Illinois State Fair
10 Club/Group Award Applications Due to Office
10 Junior Meat Goat Judging
10 Junior Sheep Wether Show
10 Junior Swine Barrow Show
10 Master Showmanship Contest
11 Welding Conference Judging at IL State Fair
11 Junior Beef Steer Show
11 Junior Dairy Goat Show
11 Junior Wether judging
12 Junior Breeding Sheep Show
12 Junior Breeding Swine Show
13 Most Sangamon & Menard conference judging at IL State Fair
14 Sale of Champions-Junior Show
15 Rifle at Lefthanders
15-17 Junior Dairy Cattle Show
18 Junior Pygmy Goat Show
25 State 4-H Dog Obedience & Showmanship Show
September
1 2012-2013 4-H Year begins
3 Labor Day – office closed
4 4-H Records due to office
The 2012 IL State Fair will be held August 9-19. Sangamon-Menard 4-H members will exhibit their general projects on Monday, August 13, with the exception of welding projects. Welding projects will be exhibited on Saturday, August 11. Exhibitors in all areas will take their projects to the State Fairgrounds on the assigned day, stay for conference judging, and then their projects will remain on display for ½ of the day that they are scheduled to exhibit. Members must then take their projects home with them the same day.
There will be four main areas of the fairgrounds in which 4-H non-livestock projects will be exhibiting. These areas include the Emmerson Building (East Annex), the 4-H tents (located in the hollow between the Expo Building and the Illinois Building), the Expo Building Mezzanine, and the Illinois Building (4th floor). The schedule for each project area will be different, and judging times will be assigned on a first come, first served basis by exhibit class. Each 4-H member who was chosen to exhibit at the State Fair will receive a mailing that will give check-in times and locations for each project area, as well as an admission pass for the member.
If you were the winner of a trophy, medallion,or other award at the 4-H shows this summer, be sure to send a thank you to your sponsor. His/her address can be found on the bottom or back of the award. Please take the time to thank them, as they are important to our 4-H program!
The Sangamon County 4-H Foundation Memorial Scholarship fund, as well as the Menard County 4-H Scholarship Fund, were established to provide a means of recognizing meritorious 4-H work and furthering the education of our county 4-H Members. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of interest to pursue a higher education, 4-H background, scholastic record, leadership abilities, reference evaluations, and community involvement.
The following 4-H members were awarded this year's scholarships:
Lacey Luke, daughter of Harold "Butch" Luke & Julie Luke of Divernon, is a recipient of a $750 scholarship. Lacey is a 10 year member of the Town and Country 4-H club.
Rachel Howell, daughter of Gary & Carrie Howell of Springfield, is also a recipient of a $750 scholarship. Rachel is a 10 year member of the Sugar Creek Pioneers 4-H Club;
Lynnette Ramsey, daughter of David & Karen Ramsey of Rochester, is a recipient of a $1,250 scholarship. Lynette is a 10 year member of the Cooper Jets 4-H club;
Lauren Henebry, daughter of Dan & Cathy Henebry of Buffalo. Lauren is a 10 year member of the Tri-City 4-H club, and is also a recipient of a $1,250 scholarship.
In Menard County a minimum of one $1000, and one $750 scholarship are offered each year to 4-H members who have completed seven or more years in the 4-H program.
The following Menard County 4-H members were selected as recipients of scholarships this year:
Celynn Mayfield, daughter of William & Cherrilyn Mayfield of Cantrall, is a recipient of a $750 scholarship. Celynn is a 10 year 4-H member of the Athens Prairieland Ag 4-H Club.
Lauren Bulinski, daughter of Chris & Lisa Bulinski of Athens, is also a recipient of a $750 scholarship. Lauren is a 7 year member of the Athens Prairieland Ag 4-H Club.
Irene Lascelles, daughter of Kevin Lascelles of Petersburg. Irene is a 10 year Menard County 4-H member, currently in the West Menarders Ag 4-H Club. She is the recipient of a $1,000 4-H scholarship, as well as the Brian Bell Memorial Scholarship sponsored jointly by 4-H & FFA for $500.
Congratulations to all of this year's scholarship recipients, and good luck in the future as you take on new leadership roles!
The Extension staff would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of the volunteers who pitched in to make the 2012 Sangamon and Menard County 4-H Shows successful. Whether you served as a superintendent, judge, judge's assistant, food stand worker, clean-up crew member, livestock guard, trophy donor, or provided some other vital assistance, we truly appreciate your dedication to our area youth and the role you played to make our shows run smoothly.
Thank you!