Is Illinois Extension considering canceling all 4-H shows this summer in the wake of COVID-19?

The answer is a resounding no, according to Lisa Diaz, Illinois 4-H director. “We have no plans to cancel this summer,” Diaz says. “We have been working very hard to prepare as if summer is happening, which is our greatest hope.”

Related: Complete coronavirus coverage

However, Diaz is realistic that some of those decisions may be out of Illinois 4-H’s hands, which is why Extension staff are currently vetting alternative options, should quarantine orders continue into the summer. Currently, Illinois 4-H has canceled events through the end of May, keeping in line with University of Illinois cancellations and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s shelter-in-place directives. They’ve also canceled 4-H camps and Illini Summer Academies, all typically held in June. To date, Michigan and Arizona are the only states that have canceled all 4-H events for the entire summer.

Diaz says the goal right now is to establish some options, should the quarantine make it impossible to continue with 4-H shows in the traditional format. That could mean rescheduling shows later in the summer, or holding online shows with different formats for livestock and general show projects.

State fair advantage

Diaz says she’d like to provide flexibility for counties, but some are already concerned about competitive advantage if every county takes a different approach. Their thinking is that if some counties go to online shows and others are able to keep live shows, it will give the kids who participated in a live show and received a judge’s feedback an unfair advantage at the Illinois State Fair — assuming the state fair continues.

“That creates a different level of experience, and we recognize that it’s not the same,” Diaz says.

Internet access is another trouble spot, due to availability and affordability in both rural and urban households. Some areas lack good internet access, and households that rely on cellphone data plans may be pushing their data plans due to remote-learning requirements. Diaz says Illinois 4-H is considering options that require less bandwidth — posting videos, for example, instead of participating in a video conference.

None of that’s ideal, she acknowledges: “It does conflict with the quality of the experience. Having live conversations with the judge, you get to hear feedback, like in a livestock show. That’s incredibly difficult to recreate online.”

And how do you judge an animal remotely? Or taste a cookie? Or tell if a sewing project has been properly fit? “It looks like we could have a scenario for live animals and a scenario for every other project area,” Diaz says.

Rescheduling may be an option for counties with early shows, but that will be at the mercy of their fairgrounds and facility schedules, and their judges’ schedules.

For now, Diaz says they’re continuing to formulate contingency plans and are anticipating updates from Pritzker as April 30 approaches, given that schools have been closed through the end of the academic year.

You can still share feedback; Diaz says to contact your local 4-H office.