4-H

Welcome to Greene County 4-H! We are excited about your interest. 4-H envisions our world as a place where youth and adults learn, grow and work together for positive change. There is a place for you in that vision! Contact us to learn more.

MU Extension's 4-H youth development program touches the lives of almost 10% of the youth population in Greene County, empowering them to reach their full potential. To learn how to support 4-H programming in Greene County, visit the Donate page.

Greene County 4-H community clubs

Shooting Stars 4-H Club is a community club that welcomes all youth. They meet on the 2nd Saturday of the month at various locations.

Jot-Em-Down 4-H Club is a community club that welcomes all youth including those wanting to enroll in Swine, Photography, and other projects. They meet on the second Sunday at 2PM at the Yeakley Chapel UMC.

Lucky Eleven 4-H Club is a community club that welcomes all youth including those wanting to enroll in Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goats, Dairy, Woodworking, Cake Decorating, Photography, Shooting Sports (through Greene County), Leadership, Robotics, Public Speaking, Foods, Arts and Crafts, and other projects. They meet on the 4th Sunday at 2PM at the Springfield Livestock Center.

Bois D'Arc Braves 4-H Club is a community club that welcomes all youth including those wanting to enroll in Horses and Hiking. They meet on the 3rd Tuesday at 7PM at the Fair Grove Lion’s Club.

Sho-Me 4-H Club is a community club that welcomes all youth including those wanting to enroll in Horses and Hiking. They meet on the 3rd Tuesday at 7PM at the Fair Grove Lion’s Club.

Grow To Ride is led by Springfield Community Garden 4-H volunteers and is open to all youth including those wanting to enroll in Gardening, Horse, and Outdoor activity projects. They meet quarterly, including a half-day summer camp in July. Check out the Grow To Ride webpage(opens in new window) to learn more.

Ozark Homeschoolers 4-H Club is a community homeschool club open to all youth. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday at 1pm at the Fair Grove Fire Department.

High Mark 4-H Club meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Strafford United Methodist Church.

Clover Now 4-H Later 4-H Club is a community club for Clover Kids aged 5-7 years old. They meet at the Library Station every second Wednesday at 10AM.

Also in Greene County 4-H

Greene County 4-H Teen Council— teens meet monthly to plan leadership and social events. All 4-H teens are welcome. Meets the 3rd Thursday at various locations.

Greene County Leaders’ Council— adult volunteers leaders meet monthly to facilitate county policy, budgets, fundraising, scholarships, and events. All 4-H volunteers are welcome to attend. Meets the third Thursday at the Springfield Botanical Gardens on odd months and online on even months.

Greene County 4-H Foundation— 4-H supporters who raise funds and resources to assist 4-H youth, clubs, and programs. Any 4-H partner or 4-H supporter interested in becoming a member of the foundation can contact Greene County 4-H for more details.

Expansion and Review Committee— Community leaders and stakeholders helping plan the future of 4-H. Meets quarterly.

Greene County 4-H also has several in-school and afterschool programs including the Greene County Youth Academy, Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, SPS All Kids Bikes programs, and SPS Ag Academy.

The Greene County 4-H Leaders Council guides, promotes and works to improve local 4-H programs by establishing communication between extension staff and 4-H clubs, planning and coordinating county events and activities, determining needs and promoting 4-H leader training programs, and suggesting ways to expand and carry on 4-H club work.

Officers

President — Jeff Goodnight

Vice President — John Waterman

Secretary — Catherine Goodnight

Treasurer — Jennifer Zielke

4-H youth specialist serving Greene County — Please contact MU Extension in Greene County 417-881-8909

4-H clubs are open to ages 8 to 18. Clubs meet monthly for group activities and club business. Each club elects officers and has an approved adult leader who supervises club activities. Club members also enroll in projects in their areas of interest.

With projects on more than 75 topics, 4-H has something to interest every child. Here are just a few of the opportunities 4-H offers: geocaching, robotics, international exchanges, horsemanship, pets, starting a business, arts and crafts, raising animals, woodworking, photography and gardening.

Clover Kids introduces 5- to 7-year-olds to the 4-H experience. In Clover Kids, children learn how to get along with others, work in groups and explore their interests, while building self-confidence. Clover Kids do not enroll in projects or raise animals and do not participate in competitive events, contests or shows.

Joining 4-H is as easy as contacting your local extension office. A staff member will explain the enrollment process and membership dues. In addition to dues, some projects may require a small investment to get started, and there may be a fee for materials, trips or other activities.

Young people are welcome to join at any time. The 4-H program year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Certain activities may have participation deadlines.

Adult volunteers are essential to 4-H. Adult volunteers serve as club or project leaders, help with county or regional events, chair committees and organize fundraisers. You don't have to be a parent or grandparent of the 4-H member to get involved. All volunteers are screened for child abuse and neglect, as well criminal records, before they are accepted and each year thereafter. As a volunteer, University of Missouri Extension will provide you with training so you will be well-prepared and successful as an adult leader. The orientation includes information on 4-H history and the educational framework, the characteristics of age groups, character development and safety.

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