By Andi Anderson
With the 2025 harvest season in full swing, local youth took time to show their gratitude to the farmers who keep their communities thriving. Members of the University of Illinois Extension 4-H, Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau, and Kankakee County Farm Bureau teamed up to pack and deliver care packages to farmers working hard in the fields and at local grain elevators.
The initiative, now in its fourth year, took place during a school holiday, allowing youth to dedicate their time to giving back. Brooke Katcher, Illinois Extension 4-H recruitment and engagement coordinator, shared how proud she was of the participating youth. “4-H empowers youth to be ‘Beyond Ready’ for life,” she said. “These young people are taking the time out of their school holiday to encourage and show gratitude to a profession that is a foundation of our community.”
Leading up to the event, students and 4-H members wrote thank-you notes to include in each care package, offering words of encouragement and appreciation. Each lunch sack contained snacks and treats such as cookies, chips, candy, baked goods, and bottled water.
Across three counties, 4-H members and volunteers packed and hand-delivered 550 care bags — 200 in Grundy, 200 in Kankakee, and 150 in Kendall counties. Farmers were pleasantly surprised when the young volunteers arrived at grain elevators and field sites with the special deliveries.
Jenna Siegel, manager of the Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau, said, “This event is a great awareness opportunity for us to show appreciation to an industry that is often overlooked in today’s world. It was nice to see so many young kids take such an interest in their community.”
Through acts of kindness like this, 4-H members continue to strengthen community ties, promoting gratitude and awareness for the essential work farmers do every day.
Categories: Illinois, General, Rural Lifestyle