Missouri 4-H is ready!
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is a busy time of year in Missouri 4-H. Oct. 1 marked the beginning of the new 4-H year, and faculty, staff and volunteers are busy making sure everyone has what they need to start off right.
Missouri 4-H holds virtual livestock judging contest
COLUMBIA, Mo – The 2020 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest took place virtually Sept. 12-13. More than 100 youths from across the state applied their evaluation and communication skills in this contest. Youths involved with the livestock judging program develop key life skills to aid in their future career success, says Maria Calvert, state 4-H agriculture and natural resources educator.
Missouri 4-H'er selected as runner-up for national award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – National 4-H Council announced that Drachen Koester, of St. Louis, is a runner-up for the 2021 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Award for Agriculture. Koester is recognized nationally for his commitment to educating youths about the importance of native bees.
Wantland tops 2020 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
SEDALIA, Mo. – The State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest looked somewhat different this year, but Lila Wantland remained consistent and led the field in dominating fashion at the Aug. 22 event held at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Wantland repeated her 2019 win, following up 2018 and 2017 victories in the intermediate division.
4-H teens teach Healthy Habits
Teen leaders in the Missouri 4-H Healthy Habits program are promoting nutrition education and food access to underserved youths and families. The program is supported by the National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation.
Missouri 4-H launches youth nutrition ambassador program
Missouri 4-H has introduced the Youth Nutrition Ambassador program, where teens can lead initiatives to promote healthy eating and community wellness.
Missouri 4-H breaking down barriers, welcoming all youths
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H, in partnership with the Missouri After School Network (MASN), now has five faculty members trained as Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualifying Administrators. After attending training in 2019 and 2020, faculty members Donna Garcia, Brad Lademann, Sarah Morefield and Shaun Murphy dove right in, working with youth leaders within the Missouri 4-H State Council, conducting training, assessments…
His time to lead
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For Mike Kateman, selling his grand champion reserve calf, Boots, was a great life lesson, and joining 4-H was just an expectation.“You really learn to be competitive, but to be competitive with yourself in terms of ‘how can I continually do better?’” he said.Growing up in Cooper County, Kateman was a member of the Willing Workers 4-H Club in Blackwater, Missouri. He now serves as assistant vice chancellor for…
Missouri 4-H receives funding to prepare youths for STEM workforce
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H has received funding through the Union Pacific Foundation Local Grants program to support programming to raise awareness, educate and prepare youths for jobs in STEM fields. “The Missouri 4-H Career Exploration program will give rural youth opportunities that could develop into family-supporting jobs like those Union Pacific offers,” said Amanda Meek, University of Missouri Extension state specialist in…
Keeping camp alive
COLUMBIA, Mo. – With in-person summer camps canceled due to COVID-19, Missouri 4-H went to work creating new opportunities for youths to make as many summer memories as possible.
Saline County 4-H'ers do a quick pivot to attend county fair
SALINE COUNTY, Mo. – Saline County 4-H’er Audrey Tinoco was all set to compete in the fashion revue, demonstrations, building exhibits and poultry events this summer at the Saline County Fair. Then a family member tested positive for COVID-19, and their 14-day quarantine dashed plans to compete.
Youths compete in 2020 State 4-H Sportfishing Event
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Almost 100 youths participated in the 2020 State 4-H Sportfishing Event, held virtually in June. Missouri 4-H’ers practiced their angling skills at local public fishing areas in a derby to catch the largest fish. They also tested their knowledge of species and tackle identification, aquatic ecosystems, and fish anatomy in the sportfishing “skill-a-thon,” said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H…
Competing from your coop: 2020 State 4-H Poultry Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Almost 90 Missouri 4-H’ers participated in a poultry judging contest, knowledge exam and photography contest at the 2020 State 4-H Poultry Day, hosted virtually in June. 4-H members gained skills in grading eggs and poultry carcasses, identifying poultry cuts, and judging live birds, said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H agriculture and natural resource science educator.
Roots of resilience run deep in 4-H and agriculture: a reflection
Resilience. The agriculture industry is all too familiar with this word. When I stop and think about what resilience means to me, I am taken back to my childhood when my grandparents would share stories of what it was like for them growing up during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. I found it unimaginable when my grandpa shared how they had to tie ropes from the house to the barns so that they could find their way to do chores.
Show Me Resilience T-shirt campaign raises almost $1,000 for Feeding Missouri
Good news! Thanks to those who responded to the #ShowMeResilience T-shirt campaign, almost $1,000 was donated last month to Feeding Missouri! The T-shirt captures the spirit of Missourians’ response to challenges around COVID-19 and was part of continuing efforts to help Feeding Missouri, the coalition of the six food banks across the state.
MU Extension announces '4-H Goes Online'
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Starting this fall, Missouri 4-H will be able to reach more youths and families across the state through an easy-to-use online learning platform called Canvas that brings 4-H project-based learning directly into the home.
Macon County 4-H club transitions to remote learning during COVID-19
Aaron Baker. ATLANTA, Mo. – 4-H club leader Aaron Baker says transitioning online was easy for 4-H’ers, and adults are the ones playing catchup.
4-H alumnus profile: Richard Maltsbarger
“In good times, 4-H is a wonderful resource to help develop the youth of America and around the world. In hard times, like what we’re going to feel through this crisis and into the coming recession, that value expands exponentially,” said Richard Maltsbarger, president and CEO of Pet Retail Brands, a multinational pet products company.Maltsbarger is also a 4-H alumnus from Pettis County, Missouri, and member of the National 4-H Council…
Young entrepreneurs share inventions, hone pitches in 2020 Pitch Challenge
Young entrepreneurs showcased innovative ideas and honed their business pitches in a competition, addressing real-world challenges with creative solutions.
Missouri 4-H'ers exceed 250,000-meal food drive goal
Missouri 4-H youth surpassed their goal by raising nearly 300,000 meals during a statewide food drive, helping hunger relief efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Longtime 4-H volunteer shows no sign of slowing down
Elaine George is no stranger to 4-H. For more than 30 years she’s been club leader to the Hallsville Go-Getters, and there’s no sign of her slowing down. Her club is among the largest in the state. “It’s just a part of my life,” Elaine said.
Noel Primary in-school 4-H wraps up successful first year
NOEL, Mo. - Noel Primary School’s Tiger Paws in-school 4-H club had a very successful first year with teacher Dene’e Jones as club leader.
Final push in 4-H Feeding Missouri food drive
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H’ers across the state need generous donors to give a hand in this final week of the 4-H Feeding Missouri food drive.“We know that every $1 donated buys 10 meals for a family. If everyone gave just $5, that would be the helping hand we need to meet our goal of donating 250,000 meals to serve hungry Missourians,” said Lupita Fabregas, director of University of Missouri Extension’s 4-H Center for Youth…
Kits offer learning activities for youths without internet access
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – What do you do when school moves online but your kids don’t have internet access?In Butler, Carter and Wayne counties in southeastern Missouri, University of Missouri Extension has an answer thanks to generous community support.
Hatching a plan
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Laura Browning never expected to find herself an adoptive parent to three incubators’ worth of chicks — or tending to 19 newly hatched birds in brooders in her garage. But chicks hatch according to their own calendar, oblivious to social distancing and school closures.