Western Illinois strengthens youth development, career readiness with new 4-H Educator
Illinois 4-H strives to unlock the potential in every young person, helping them to dream, plan,
design, build, and achieve. Around the state, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth
development staff are guiding the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
In September, Kristin Huls returned to Illinois Extension as a 4-H youth development educator
serving Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler counties. She will become a resource for
youth in Western Illinois and develop research-based educational programs focused on youth
development, leadership, college, and career readiness.
“Kristin is a very welcome addition to our youth development team,” says Extension County
Director Shelby Crow. “Her background and wide-ranging experience with Extension and 4-H
will allow us to develop programs prioritizing the skills today’s youth need to be successful now
and in the future.”
Huls first joined Extension in 1998 and served in many different roles and topic areas, including
4-H, agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, community and economic development, and as
county director until 2014.
She was a 4-H member and later participated in the program as a volunteer. Her children are
also 4-H members. “I would not be where I am today without 4-H and it is important to me to
help youth find their pathway in life through the many opportunities 4-H has to offer,” Huls says.
She looks forward to creating programs that help youth develop crucial life skills.
“I hope to provide opportunities for the youth in our area to develop these leadership and career
readiness skills through hands-on programs that will help them be successful in life and give
back to their communities,” Huls says.
Huls graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Business
and a master’s degree in Education. She lives and farms with her husband, Sid, and their two
daughters, McKenna and Maci, in rural Hancock County.
Huls is based in the Hancock County Extension office in Carthage and can be reached at
khuls@illinois.edu or (217) 357-2150.
Extension educators and specialists connect every county in Illinois with university research
through in-person and distance-learning programming and other educational outreach. They
work to provide businesses, families, and agricultural producers with the practical tools and
resources needed to solve problems.