University of Illinois Extension - AJMPU Unit

05/30/2026

🌟 Attention AJMPU 4-H Members! 🌟
Get ready to show off your hard work at this year’s 4-H General Shows — happening every Thursday in June!
ANY AJMPU 4-H member is welcome to participate on ANY Thursday (or more than one!)
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
📌 Location: Your local University of Illinois Extension County Office
📅 Show Dates by County:
Pulaski/Alexander County – June 4
Union County – June 11
Johnson County – June 18
Massac Counties – June 25
This is your chance to showcase your projects, meet fellow 4-H'ers, and celebrate all you've accomplished. Don’t miss it!
Questions? Reach out to your local Extension office for more info.
Let’s make June one to remember! 💚

05/29/2026

Only a few days left!!!
Get your fair entry for animal shows and projects done as soon as possible!!

05/29/2026

Dixon Springs Ag Center invites you to the 2026 Field Day on July 14!

For just $5, enjoy a delicious farm-to-table meal made from ingredients harvested from the Ag Center. Choose from various educational sessions on topics important to you, including:

-high tunnel vegetable production
-biological insect control
-heat stress management in tomatoes
-forest management
-invasive species identification and control
-pollinator prairie establishment
-ticks of Illinois - bite prevention and identification
-animal science research projects presented by interns and graduate students.

For more information and to register to attend, visit go.illinois.edu/dsacfieldday26

05/29/2026

Still need to obtain your Illinois pesticide applicator or operator license?

Now that the in-person pesticide safety education clinics have concluded, discover the training and testing options still available through passing seasons.

From online to self-study publications and in-person testing, explore options that best fit individual schedules and needs.

🔗 Skip to the second part of Pesticide News at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2026-03-25-do-you-still-need-training-and-testing-apply-pesticides

🔗 Stay in the loop with Pesticide News at https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news

University of Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP)

05/28/2026

⚾ Join us for 4-H Day with the Thrillbillies on June 28 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Dew Stadium in Marion!

Enjoy a fun-filled summer day at the ballpark with Thrillbillies baseball and activities the whole family can enjoy. To keep the excitement going all day long, if you wish, you and your family can visit Thrillville for bowling, laser tag, go-karts, and more before or after the game.

But be sure to stop by Oasis Powersports to visit the “Life Lessons On the Diamond: Buck O’Neil” display,

Ticket Options:
• Ticket, all-you-can-eat, and event t-shirt — $20
• Ticket and all-you-can-eat — $12

📍 Mt. Dew Stadium | Marion, IL

Give your child a fun and enriching summer experience with 4-H!

Registration required!
Go to https://go.illinois.edu/4-Hday to register today!

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

4-H Showbook!

Reminder: General and animal exhibits/classes need to be entered into fair entry ASAP! Shows with no entries are subject to cancellation!

Directions for fair entry are on page 12-13 of the showbook!

Hard copies of the 4-H Showbook are located at the University of Illinois Extension offices in Vienna, Metropolis, Anna, and Mounds.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or [email protected]
and we will be happy to help.

You can also view the Showbook online here:
🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/4-H2026Showbook

05/27/2026

🚨 Attention 4-H Members! 🚨
Are you showing livestock, small animals, or projects this year? Make sure you’re ready for fair season! 🐄🐐🐇🐓
✅ Enter your project NOW at:
https://fairentry.com/Public/FindYourFair
✅ YQCA Certification is due by July 1 – complete it at: https://yqcaprogram.org/ and don’t forget to turn in your certificate!
✅ First year showing animals? You must complete the QAEC (only once) at:
https://go.illinois.edu/TakeQAEC
📩 Questions? Contact Kristi Stout at [email protected]
Let’s make this fair season the best yet!

05/27/2026

DON'T FORGET! All large animal livestock exhibitors should complete YQCA Online Testing at www.yqcaprogram.org by July 1. Email your YQCA certificate to Kristi Stout at [email protected], or call (618)745-5200 with any questions.

05/26/2026

Get Growing with Our Container Gardening Workshops!

Ready to dig in and grow something amazing? Join us for one of our fun and educational FREE Make & Take Container Gardening Workshops!

🪴 Workshop Dates & Locations:
📅 Wednesday, June 3 at 10 AM
📍 The Pilot Garden: Cairo's Food Donation Garden

📅 Wednesday, June 10 at 10 AM
📍 Plant a Row, Watch COPE Grow Food Donation Garden

Learn creative and practical ways to grow vegetables and flowers in containers—perfect for any space! We’ll cover:
• Raised beds
• Pots
• Vertical planters

✨ Plus, you’ll create your own container garden to take home!

📞 Registration is required (space is limited): Call (618) 524-2270 to reserve your spot.

Grab a friend and come join the garden fun—we can’t wait to grow with you!