SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri State Fair offers an opportunity for members to exhibit their skills in the 4-H Building, their showmanship in the livestock arenas and their character through demonstrations. For many, this is a culminating experience that affects youths beyond just the premium and ribbon. Missouri State Fair visitors experienced firsthand the foundations of the 4-H program by browsing aisles of exhibits, cheering on youths in the show ring and participating in activities showcasing the 4-H project areas.

For the 2024 Missouri State Fair, the 4-H Building showcased 166 youth demonstrations and 3,611 exhibits, 65 of which received Best of Show awards. Daily activities gave visitors the opportunity to engage with 4-H professionals and briefly experience the projects offered by 4-H.

4-H Clover Kid and Family Day, hosted Saturday, Aug. 10, showcased several 4-H opportunities, including 4-H Zoo Apprentice Camp, 4-H Shooting Sports, the Missouri 4-H Foundation and Missouri 4-H State Council and Ambassador programs. Clover Kid members brought in project items to display that day and gave demonstrations in the 4-H Building. On Sunday, Aug. 11, 4-H members and volunteers exercised the meaning of “hands to larger service” by packing 250 Boxes for the Brave. These boxes, containing personal care products, snacks, thank you cards and more, were packed in the 4-H Building and sent to soldiers from Missouri serving overseas. On Aug. 12, Missouri 4-H collaborated with Feeding Missouri to educate fairgoers on food insecurity and resources around the state. Other activities throughout the fair focused on STEM, agriculture, expressive arts, healthy living and youth preparedness.

In the Mizzou Central Building, Missouri 4-H was showcased through the 4-H Show Me Wares program, which provides opportunities for 4-H youth entrepreneurs to sell their original products or services at the fair.

During the fair, 1,056 4-H livestock exhibitors took to the show rings with a total of 3,195 livestock entries. These entries included beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, meat goats, dairy goats, sheep, poultry and rabbits. The Missouri State Fair 4-H/FFA Horse Show had 1,499 entries from 198 youth exhibitors.

Programs offered by Missouri 4-H would not be possible without support from our partners. Major support for Missouri 4-H Agriculture programs was provided by the Missouri 4-H Foundation in partnership with BTC Bank, FCS Financial, MFA Foundation, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, Missouri Farm Bureau Federation, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, Smithfield Hog Production and the Hertzog Family.

About Missouri 4-H

Missouri 4-H grows today’s youth and prepares tomorrow’s leaders. With a blend of time-tested traditions and innovative hands-on learning, Missouri youth explore and find their spark in programs ranging from agriculture and conservation to aerospace and career development. Through clubs, programs, camps, in-school and after-school experiences, University of Missouri Extension faculty, staff and thousands of volunteers guide youth in developing essential skills, building confidence and fostering connections. Together, they inspire young people to make a real difference in their communities, their country and the world. To learn more about Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.