Even though many 4-H participants are headed to the Illinois State Fair next week, the DeWitt County University of Illinois Extension Office is already looking ahead to the 2014-15 4-H year.

August 31st ends this year's 4-H activities but organizers say they are readying for the new year, which will begin September 1st. According to Sherry Fulton with the University of Illinois extension, a child has to be five years old to be in 4-H Cloverbuds by September 1st. 4-H Community Clubs require kids to be 8 by the same date.

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4-H can be something kids invest a lot of time into, or it can be a casual investment. Fulton explains there are over 200 projects available which means there's almost guaranteed to be something of interest for their participants to do for a 4-H project.

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Kids can join 4-H anytime of year, but Fulton says September 1st is the best time. For anyone interested in joining 4-H or wanting to obtain more information, contact the Extension Office at 935-5764.