August 24, 2025

4-H Urban Ag Expo held at Lake County Fair

By Erica Quinlan
Michelle Neacsu, a rising fifth-grader at MacArthur Elementary and first-year 4-H member, presents her project on raised garden beds during the Urban Ag Expo at the Lake County Fair.

Michelle Neacsu, a rising fifth-grader at MacArthur Elementary and first-year 4-H member, presents her project on raised garden beds during the Urban Ag Expo at the Lake County Fair. (Provided photo)

CROWN POINT, Ind. — The Lake County Fair hosted its inaugural 4-H Urban Ag Expo on Aug. 2, highlighting the talents of 11 young people who participated in the county’s new urban agriculture program.

Students in grades 4 through 11 gave presentations on topics including rooftop gardening, community gardens, pollinators, cucumber cultivation and backyard chicken coops.

“This event was not just about agriculture — it was about community and giving youth a voice,” said Julie Jones, a Purdue Extension educator who developed the program alongside Becca Koetz and Kasey Wilhoit.

“These young people gained real-life skills while teaching others about sustainability, food systems and environmental stewardship.”

The Lake County Urban Agriculture program launched in February this year and included 35 participants. Each month, students took part in workshops and visited urban farms in the region.

A recent $1,850 LeadForward Community Grant, secured by 4-H alumna and Lilly Endowment Scholar Caroline Donaldson, will help support the program’s expansion next year.

Plans are underway to integrate hands-on gardening projects at the Purdue Extension Lake County Demonstration Garden in Crown Point, where youth will gain practical experience building and maintaining garden beds, exploring composting methods, pruning trees and more.

“We’re excited to give youth not just the tools, but the decision-making power,” Jones said. “Our long-term goal is to form a youth council that leads the program forward, choosing focus areas, organizing service projects and exploring entrepreneurship opportunities.”

The program continues to benefit from support provided by local partners, including the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, which contributed educational resources and helped fund youth awards.

Youth in grades 3 through 12 are eligible to join the 4-H Urban Agriculture program. Enrollment for the 2025-2026 4-H year opens Oct. 1.

For more information, contact Purdue Extension Lake County at 219-755-3240 or visit https://extension.purdue.edu/county/lake.

ConservationEnvironmentFairsFarm Family LifeLawn & GardenLivestockPollinatorsPoultrySustainabilityYoung Leaders
Erica Quinlan

Erica Quinlan

Field Editor