From Saline County 4-H to Mizzou Central coordinator

Growing up, Sundays were the day for Bizy Beavers 4-H club meetings, and every summer was prep season for the Saline County and Missouri State fairs, said Kaleigh Summers, alumni relations and event coordinator for the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Building bridges through virtual cultural exchange

This spring, about 20 Missouri 4-H’ers joined teens living 8,000 miles away in Bangladesh to explore each other’s cultures and learn how much they have in common. The 13- and 14-year-olds were part of a program called EXCEL (EXchange for Cultural Engagement and Learning).

Missouri youths compete at 2023 State 4-H Poultry Day

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Thirty-six youths from across Missouri attended the 2023 State 4-H Poultry Day, June 10 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.

Golfers help raise more than $91,000 at Missouri 4-H Clover Classic

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Golfers returned to the green at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course in Columbia to support Missouri 4-H youths at the 13th annual 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament on June 6. Co-presenting sponsors were Climate Field View and Great American Insurance-Crop Division.

Missouri 4-H'ers raise more than 1.7 million meals to fight hunger

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H clubs across the state have finished the fifth annual 4-H Feeding Missouri initiative. Each year, 4-H partners with Feeding Missouri and Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids to bring awareness and raise resources addressing food insecurity.

Implementing A Youth Futures SPIN Club in Lincoln County

The Issue Troy Middle School teachers are offering a curriculum related to career readiness through an elective class. Troy is a small town in the county of Lincoln in the St. Louis area. It is a “bedroom” community where most of the adult population live in Troy but work outside the county.

Missouri 4-H Foundation awards $87K in scholarships

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is awarding scholarships totaling $87,000 to Missouri 4-H youths to help further their education.

Volunteers are the heart of Missouri 4-H

COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 16-22, 2023, Missouri 4-H wants to thank the heart of the organization, the volunteers! Each year, thousands of people choose to spend their time volunteering for Missouri 4-H, and because of their efforts 4-H can provide a wide variety of opportunities for Missouri’s youth.

Missouri 4-H youths join teens from across U.S. at Ignite by 4-H

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fourteen young innovators of tomorrow from Missouri – Luke Baugh, Brooke Cureton, Darrel Douglas, Sa’Maya Griffin, Ashlynn Hampton, Aaliyah Higgs, Keelan Jackson, Amara Johnson, Miles Neely, Harlan Pedigo, Hope Pedigo, Lily Rucker, Dallas Tumbas and Mekhi Willis Howard – recently honed their agri-science, health and STEM skills at Ignite by 4-H in Washington, D.C.

Lafayette County woman honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Emily Bergsieker with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Bergsieker is recognized for more than 13 years of service and support to 4-H in Lafayette County.“We are honored to recognize Emily Bergsieker for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Lafayette County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the…

Vernon County 4-H Alumni Association honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present the Vernon County 4-H Alumni Association with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. The association is recognized for more than 11 years of service and support to 4-H.

Laclede County man honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Brian McKimmey with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. McKimmey is recognized for more than 16 years of service and support to 4-H in Polk and Laclede counties.“We are honored to recognize Brian McKimmey for his outstanding efforts on behalf of Polk County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the…

Missouri youths test skills at State 4-H Horse Judging Contest

FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, held March 18, drew 105 competitors, said Maria Calvert, Missouri 4-H state agriculture educator. This year’s event was hosted at William Woods University in Fulton. After the contest, youths and coaches toured the facilities and learned more about the equine program from faculty and students.

Youths test horse knowledge at State 4-H Hippology Contest

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Hippology Contest, March 19 in Columbia, gathered 54 youths along with their coaches.A majority of participants reported that their knowledge in areas such as equine confirmation, behavior, equipment, diseases, anatomy, terminology and characteristics improved as a result of participating in the event, said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension 4-H state agriculture and natural resources…

Horticulturist plants seeds of hope in community

JACKSON, Mo. – Retired engineer Lois Caron’s lifelong thirst for knowledge led her to the University of Missouri Extension office where she often bent the ear of MU Extension horticulturist Donna Aufdenberg.“She was a lifelong learner,” says Aufdenberg. “We had something that she wanted. We had knowledge, and she wanted that knowledge.”

4-H alum shares exchange trip experiences

Missouri 4-H alum Heather Vaughn sent this account of her 2019 4-H exchange trip to Costa Rica.

Missouri 4-H'ers compete at 2023 Western National Roundup

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Eight Missouri 4-H members competed in January at the 2023 Western National Roundup, an annual event held in tandem with the Western National Stock Show in Denver. FFA and 4-H members from 27 states competed in various categories and project areas during the four-day event.

Master Showman Competitions: Displaying Youths’ Hard Work

The Issue 4-H and FFA Livestock projects impact youth life skill development in motivation, responsibility, goal setting, discipline, and leadership (Anderson et al., 2015; Boleman et al., 2004; Evans, et al. 2019; Heavner et al., 2011; Rusk et al, 2003). Knowledge of husbandry and showing procedures increased the longer youth participate in the projects (Havner et al., 2011; Rusk et al., 2003).

Marking a 100-year legacy for 7 Missouri 4-H families

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation has recognized seven families with the 2022 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award. Each family represents a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H. Franklin County The Millerick Family Polk County The Le Jeune-Rains-Curran Family Vernon County

Applications open for Missouri 4-H Foundation scholarships

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is accepting applications for current or former Missouri 4-H members pursuing postsecondary study. Applications must be completed on or before March 1, 2023.Missouri 4-H youths are encouraged to showcase their personal growth and development as well as career goals on their scholarship applications. For details, visit muext.us/4Hscholarships.

Ina Linville inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ina Metzger Linville was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development, Linville was one of 16 inducted in October during a ceremony at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.Linville’s career with Missouri 4-H spanned more than 30 years. She served as Missouri 4-H program director…

Missouri 4-H places first at All-American Dairy Cattle Judging Contest

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Missouri 4-H’s dairy judging team finished first overall at the 2022 All-American Dairy Show Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest held Sept. 19 in Harrisburg, Pa.

Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducts new members for 2022

SEDALIA, Mo. – “Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 40 volunteers joined the 2022 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on Aug. 20 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes individuals who have created a legacy of service to 4-H by honoring them with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame, said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation

BTC Bank supports Missouri 4-H financial ed program

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Young people across Missouri will experience interactive, hands-on financial education thanks to a five-year pledge of support from BTC Bank to the Missouri 4-H Foundation.The pledge will support the statewide launch of On My Own, a household finance simulator for youths ages 13-18.

4-H Foundation endowment funds reaching many Missouri counties

County endowment funds created by the Missouri 4-H Foundation have had a significant impact on many Missouri counties within the last year. The Foundation currently manages six county endowment funds benefiting Barton, Callaway, Dade, Henry, Pike and St. Charles counties.