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4-H State Horse Judging Contest
The Missouri 4-H State Horse Judging Contest, Feb. 28, drew 70 youths from across the state to William Woods University in Fulton. Throughout the day, youths put their equine expertise to the test by evaluating eight classes – four halter and four performance – and delivering one or two sets of oral reasons to justify their decisions.
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4-H State Meats Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Meats Judging Contest on Saturday, Feb. 21, drew youths from 10 counties across the state. Participants demonstrated their knowledge of the meat industry by evaluating six retail or carcass classes representing beef, pork or lamb, identifying 30 retail cuts and presenting one or two sets of oral reasons to justify their placings.
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Celebrating Missouri 4-H Century Families
The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized three families with the Missouri 4-H Century Family Award, which celebrates families whose combined years of 4-H membership and volunteer service total 100 years or more, demonstrating a multigenerational commitment to youth leadership, learning and community impact.
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Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finishes 4th in Louisville
Missouri 4-H had an outstanding outing with a fourth place overall team finish at the Dr. George Heersche Jr. NAILE Invitational Dairy Judging Contest in Louisville, Ken., Nov. 8, 2025, according to Karla Deaver, teach coach and University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist. Twenty youth teams competed.
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Missouri 4-H'ers travel to Western National for contests
Missouri 4-H livestock judging team. From left, Rayleigh Birdwell, Maggie Reed, Elyse Cooley and Elliott Cooley.
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Missouri 4-H youths make strong showing at national poultry contests
Missouri 4-H was strongly represented this year at the National Poultry and Egg Conference, Nov. 19–21 in Louisville, Ky. Youth members showcased their skills in the Poultry Judging, Turkey BBQ and Chicken BBQ contests.
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20 Missouri youths attend National 4-H Congress
Twenty Missouri 4-H members were selected to represent the state at the National 4-H Congress, a premier leadership conference held Nov. 28–Dec. 2 in Atlanta. The delegation joined more than 700 youths from over 40 states for a week of leadership development, as well as an evening of culture at the Atlanta History Center and a morning community service.
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Missourian inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame
K. Russell “Russ” Weathers of Missouri has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Weathers was honored in late October during a ceremony in Atlanta for his decades of leadership and lifelong commitment to youth development.
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4-H youth officers strengthen leadership and life skills at county training
More than 50 4-H youth club officers from Caldwell Lafayette and Ray counties dove into a lively leadership workshop that blended learning with plenty of fun on Nov. 16.
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Missouri youths compete at National 4-H Meats Judging Contest
Four Missouri 4-H members competed at the National 4-H Meats Judging Contest on Oct. 21 in Kansas City, Mo.
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Missouri 4-H'ers take top awards at American Royal Livestock Contest
Missouri 4-H youth from Clinton County earned top individual honors and placed among the top teams at a national livestock judging contest.
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Youths compete at Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup
Missouri 4-H youth competed in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup, earning top placements and showcasing equestrian excellence.
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'Hands, for larger service'
A dedicated leader praises 4-H’s “hands for larger service” spirit, highlighting youth volunteerism through food drives, tree planting, and community building.
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Youths gather for Missouri 4-H Public Speaking Contest
Sixty-plus young participants gathered statewide to sharpen public-speaking skills across five categories in this annual youth leadership event.
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Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame honors inductees, celebrates legacy volunteers
Celebrating the remarkable volunteers and supporters inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame, whose leadership strengthens youth programs across Missouri.
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Missouri State Fair queen an advocate for ag
Bailey Schneider, the 2025 Missouri State Fair queen, is a 4-H alum and a junior at the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
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4-H youths are ‘Beyond Ready’
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe officially proclaimed Oct. 5-11 as National 4-H Week in Missouri, recognizing the organization’s impact in preparing the next generation of leaders through hands-on learning, service and leadership. During National 4-H Week, Missouri 4-H joins others nationwide in showcasing how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change.
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Hatching chicks in the classroom with Missouri 4-H
Each spring across Missouri, classrooms come alive with the sounds of chirping chicks as students gather around incubators to watch life unfold. Through the Missouri 4-H “Show Me Embryology” project, thousands of young learners are discovering the science behind those tiny cracks in an eggshell.
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MU Extension names new Missouri 4-H director
Tim Tanner is the new director of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development.
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2025 Missouri 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest
University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2025 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on June 6 at the Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia. The event drew 87 youths from across the state to demonstrate their skills in evaluating livestock.
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Missouri 4-H State Poultry and Rabbit Day
University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2025 State 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Day on June 14 at the MU Animal Science Research Center. Sixty-six 4-H youths from around the state participated in activities focused on poultry and rabbits. Participants competed in Poultry Judging Contests, Poultry Quiz Bowl, Rabbit Judging Contest, Photo Contests, Rabbit Knowledge Test, Rabbit Breed ID and a Dozen Egg Contest.
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Missouri 4-H'ers explore equine careers across 5 states, Canada
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Equine Careers Tour, May 19-25, offered 40 Missouri youths the opportunity to explore careers in the equine industry through hands-on learning and professional engagement across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Canada.
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Clover Classic raises more than $85,000 for Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 15th Annual Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament, June 3 at A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, raised over $85,000 in support of youth programs across the state. “We are incredibly thankful for the continued support of our Clover Classic community,” said Wendy Hall, chair of the Missouri 4-H Clover Classic. “The funds raised this year will make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across…
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Crystal Burch honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
Crystal Burch is honored for 11+ years of service with the 2025 Missouri 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award.
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Volunteers ensure 4-H youths are 'Beyond Ready' for leadership, careers, life
More than 5,700 volunteers guide 4-H youth, helping them gain skills, confidence and resilience to be ready for leadership, careers and life.