Missouri youths attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta

This year’s National 4-H Congress, in Atlanta, hosted more than 700 youth delegates representing 45 states and Puerto Rico. From an evening of culture at the Atlanta History Center to an international dinner and a morning of community service, members of the Missouri 4-H delegation connected with youths from across the country, said Megan Kershner, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H leadership and civic engagement educator.

Missouri 4-H team takes third at national livestock judging contest

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Missouri 4-H was well-represented at the 2024 North American International Livestock Exposition National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 19. The team from Clinton County placed third out of 29 teams. The team included Beau Ann Graves, Paisley Nelson, Payton Rodgers, Sam Jordan and Jorja Ebert. The team was coached by Shane Bedwell and Cody Sloan.

4-H meat evaluation volunteer workshop

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The inaugural University of Missouri Extension 4-H Meat Evaluation Volunteer Workshop held on Saturday, Nov. 2, drew nearly a dozen volunteers from across the state.

Clover Gala celebrates 75 years of the Missouri 4-H Foundation

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation’s 75th anniversary celebration, the Clover Gala, raised more than $117,000 on Oct. 5 in Columbia, drawing participants and supporters from across the state.

Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2024 Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue on Saturday, Oct. 12, hosted 72 youths representing 26 counties across Missouri. Top finishers at the 2024 State 4-H Fashion Revue Constructed Casual

Youths gather for State 4-H Public Speaking Contest

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H’ers from across the state recently participated in one of Missouri 4-H’s oldest competitions: the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Held Sept. 28 in Columbia on the University of Missouri campus, the event drew 59 youths from 25 counties.

Gov. Parson proclaims 4-H Week in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gov. Mike Parson designated Oct. 6-12 as 4-H Week in Missouri. Missouri and Missouri 4-H proudly join millions across the nation in celebrating National 4-H Week, an annual event that highlights the positive impact of 4-H on youth development. This year’s theme, “Beyond Ready,” celebrates the dedication of youths, families, volunteers and alumni who contribute to the growth and success of 4-H programs.

Lanes Prairie 4-H Club kicks off new year with apple butter meeting

BELLE, Mo. – The Lanes Prairie 4-H Club proudly hosted its September meeting, bringing together youths and families to embark on a new 4-H year. The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H pledge, setting a positive tone for the gathering, said Bethany Prenger, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in 4-H youth development.

Missouri 4-H celebrates Hall of Fame inductees

SEDALIA, Mo. – The 18th annual Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame ceremony on Aug. 10, 2024, honored outstanding volunteers and supporters who have made lasting contributions to the 4-H program and the youths of Missouri.

Grant boosts 4-H Youth Futures program

University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H Center for Youth Development has received a five-year project award totaling $607,115 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Children, Youth and Families at Risk grant program. The funding, beginning September 2024, will support 4-H Hopeful Paths for Youth Futures, which provides college and career programming to middle and high school youths in Jackson, St. Louis and McDonald…

Angelo tops State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest

SEDALIA, Mo. – Lexi Angelo earned high individual honors at the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held Aug. 17 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

Missouri 4-H'ers celebrate summer's best story at the State Fair

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.

4-H College and Career Pathways Conference helps youths find their voices

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H Center for Youth Development welcomed 50 middle- and high-school-aged 4-H’ers at its 22nd annual 4-H College and Career Pathways Conference on the MU campus this July.

Happy-Go-Lucky 4-H Club memories and memorabilia

A package recently arrived at the Missouri 4-H Foundation’s office in Columbia. Inside was a 1930s-era 4-H cap and a perfectly preserved sewing project — a gingham checked coat hanger cover with precise pink stitching spelling out the initials R.C. The items, along with a memoir, “Blossoming in the Show Me State,” chronicle the early years of Ruth Collins McQuerry, who grew up on a farm in northwestern Missouri.

Boxes for the Brave: 4-H volunteer event at the Missouri State Fair

SEDALIA, Mo. – Handmade thank you cards along with personal care products, snacks, energy drinks, socks, decks of playing cards and much more will be headed to 250 Missouri soldiers stationed overseas later this month thanks to 4-H’ers at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. As part of the Missouri State Fair’s Military Appreciation Day, Sunday, Aug. 11, Missouri 4-H will host a special Boxes for the Brave packing event in the 4-H…

Youths demonstrate speaking, presentation, artistic skills at 4-H equine event

SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Horse Public Speaking and Demonstration and Youth Equine Fine Arts and Poster contests took place Wednesday, July 24, in Sedalia. Youths demonstrated their speaking, presentation and artistic abilities while sharing their equine knowledge, said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H agriculture educator.

Missouri 4-H Week brings youths to Mizzou for leadership, learning

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Following Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of 4-H members gathered on the University of Missouri campus for Missouri 4-H Week. This weeklong celebration features two major events for the 4-H program: 4-H Teen Conference and State 4-H Congress.

Missouri 4-H'ers elect peers to State 4-H Council

Missouri 4-H'ers elect peers to State 4-H Council

Youths learn about food safety through 4-H Protect the Plate Challenge

COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than 1,800 youths across Missouri learned more about precision agriculture by participating in the 2024 4-H Ag Innovators Experience Protect the Plate Challenge.

4-H youths travel to Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado for equine careers tour

COLUMBIA, Mo. –Forty youths from across Missouri traveled to Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado to learn more about equine careers May 20-26 on the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Equine Tour, said Maria Calvert, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator.

Clover Classic raises more than $92,000 for Missouri 4-H

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 14th annual Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament, June 4, raised more than $92,000, setting a new record in the Missouri 4-H Foundation’s history. The tournament, at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, drew participants and supporters from across the state. Co-presenting sponsors were Climate Field View and Great American Insurance-Crop Division.

Youths compete at 2024 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest

COLUMBIA, Mo – The 2024 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest was held Monday, June 3, at the University of Missouri Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia. The contest brought together 94 youths from across the state to apply their evaluation and communication skills. Youths involved with the livestock judging program develop key life skills to aid in their future career success, said Maria Calvert, MU…

Youths compete at 2024 State 4-H Poultry Day

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty 4-H youths from across Missouri participated in the 2024 State 4-H Poultry Day on June 8 at the University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center in Columbia. Competitions included a poultry judging contest, quiz bowl, egg demonstration contest, photo contest and dozen egg contest.

Missouri 4-H Foundation awards $95,000 in scholarships

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is awarding 70 scholarships totaling $95,000 to Missouri 4-H youths to help further their educations. “We are thrilled to support these exceptional young people as they continue their educational journeys,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation. “Their dedication to 4-H and their communities is inspiring, and we are confident they will continue to achieve great things…

Missouri 4-H Foundation celebrates 75 years of empowering youth

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation marks its 75th anniversary this year with plans to highlight impacts from decades of dedication to nurturing young leaders and fostering community development across the state. Celebrations will include recognition of individuals and programs supported by the foundation, as well as opportunities for friends of 4-H to come together, said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H…