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Missouri 4-H’ers hit the mark at national shooting sports championships
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Thirty-six Missouri 4-H members competed at the highest level at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships, June 21-26 in Grand Island, Nebraska. The event boasted a record-breaking number of participants: 767 athletes from 42 states competing in nine disciplines.
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Opportunity of a lifetime for NW Missouri 4-H’ers
This November, 20 Missouri 4-H delegates will travel to Atlanta for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at National 4-H Congress. During the event, youths will connect with peers from across the country while participating in workshops, service-learning projects and tours of Atlanta’s most notable landmarks.
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Clover Classic tees up success for Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The16th Annual Missouri 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament, June 2 at the Gustin Golf Course in Columbia, raised more than $80,000 to support Missouri 4-H youth programs across the state.
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Stay cool at the fair
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Long walks, crowded midway lines and hours spent outdoors can turn a summer fair into a risky place during high heat. University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch says a little planning can help fairgoers stay safe and enjoy the day. “It’s not cool to be hot,” Funkenbusch says. “Water, rest and shade are key.”
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Missouri 4-H youths explore careers during Kentucky equine tour
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thirty-six Missouri 4-H youths got a firsthand look at careers in the equine industry during a tour across Kentucky, May 18–24. The tour featured hands-on learning, visits to leading farms and race tracks and conversations with industry professionals.
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Lines cast, skills sharpened at Missouri 4-H State Sportfishing Day
MILLERSBURG, Mo. — Missouri 4-H members from across the state gathered June 13 at Little Dixie Lake in Millersburg for the Missouri 4-H State Sportfishing Day. More than 20 participants from 14 counties took part in a day filled with fishing, learning, competition and conservation.
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Missouri 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension hosted the 2026 Missouri 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest on Saturday, June 6, at the Trowbridge Livestock Center in Columbia. The event brought 92 youths from across the state to demonstrate their skills in evaluating livestock.
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Missouri 4-H Foundation awards 95 scholarships totaling $127,000
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation will award 95 scholarships totaling $127,000 to Missouri 4-H members to help further their education and prepare them for the future. The 2026 scholarship recipients have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community service, and academic achievement, said Rachel Augustine, senior director of advancement for University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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Youth leaders gather for learning, fun at 4-H State Congress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than 200 Missouri 4-H members and volunteers gathered on the University of Missouri campus in May for the 80th annual Missouri 4-H State Congress, a leadership event designed for youths in grades nine through 12.
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4-H Teen Conference helps youths grow as leaders
The 2026 Missouri 4-H Teen Conference welcomed 218 youths and 24 chaperones from across the state.
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Missouri 4-H tops 2.5 million meals through 4-H Feeding Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H youths helped provide 250,271 meals to families facing food insecurity through the 2026 4-H Feeding Missouri campaign, pushing the initiative past 2.5 million meals statewide since 2019.
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Missouri 4-H youths take the lead at State Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On April 28, more than 500 Missouri 4-H members, staff and volunteers gathered in Jefferson City for 4-H Day at the Capitol, focused on civic engagement, leadership and advocacy.
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MU Extension salutes its volunteers
During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 20-26, we celebrate the people who help University of Missouri Extension carry out its mission. From mentoring young people to restoring landscapes and guiding local programs, MU Extension volunteers extend our reach and deepen our impact.
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Missouri 4-H honors volunteers
Missouri 4-H recognizes the dedication of more than 5,800 volunteers who invest time and energy to mentor and guide young people. National Volunteer Appreciation Week, observed April 19-25, is the perfect time to celebrate the incredible contributions of 4-H volunteers.
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Missouri 4-H, Missouri S&T partner to expand hands-on STEM learning
Missouri 4‑H is partnering with Missouri University of Science and Technology to bring hands-on STEM learning experiences to thousands of youths across the state, with a focus on girls in rural, underserved communities.
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Celebrating service to Missouri during National Volunteer Month
Whether through local organizations or simple acts of neighboring, volunteering creates connection, purpose and stronger communities across Missouri.
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Missouri 4-H State Rabbit Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H welcomed 30 youths and their families on March 21 to its annual State Rabbit Day. The event, hosted by Melissa Stong of Bates County and Kelsey Fuller, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H educator, gave families the chance to learn more about the rabbit industry through judging contests and educational sessions.
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Helping kids manage stress
MU researchers have learned that when stress creates more tension or conflict at home, children are more likely to show signs like anxiety, pulling away or acting out. But they also found one skill that reliably helps protect kids from these challenges: self‑regulation.
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Missouri 4-H State Poultry Day
Missouri 4-H hosted its annual State Poultry Day on March 22 at the University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center. Fifty 4-H members gathered to participate in a variety of contests and educational activities focused on the poultry industry.
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Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raises more than $25K
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The fourth annual Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raised more than $25,000 to support the Missouri 4-H Shooting Sports program March 16 at the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex. The event brought together teams and sponsors from across the state for a day of competition, camaraderie and philanthropy, said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
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Youths test knowledge at State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest drew 45 youths from across the state on March 1. Participants tested their knowledge in a quiz bowl setting on the University of Missouri campus. The event was hosted with the help of the Mizzou Equine Teaching Facility and held at the MU Animal Science Research Center.
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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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Preparing Missouri’s workforce for a changing economy
From AI anxiety to new opportunities, Missouri’s workforce is in transition. Discover how MU Extension helps workers and employers build the skills to thrive in a fast‑moving economy.