4-H Youth Development : article
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Missouri 4-H youth pack food and raise awareness about food insecurity, showing that hunger can affect anyone.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Thirty youths from around the state participated in Missouri 4-H State Poultry Day, held June 12 at the University of Missouri Animal Science Research Center.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging Contest on Feb. 17 drew 54 competing 4-H members from across the state.
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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – “Quiet on the set! Camera ready?”
“Ready!”
The scene: A corridor at Johnson Elementary in Kansas City’s Hickman Mills school district. A girl stands in front of the camera holding a clapper board, a device familiar to anyone who’s watched movies about Hollywood.
“Scene one,…
HANNIBAL, Mo. –Marissa Todd has Down syndrome, but that hasn’t stopped the Marion County high school senior from getting involved in her 4-H club, holding office or becoming a 4-H camp counselor.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The third annual Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raised more than $19,000 to support the Missouri 4-H Foundation. The March 16 event at the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex in Columbia drew teams and sponsors from across the state for a day of competition, camaraderie…
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.
MARSHALL, Mo. – Fairgoers at the annual Saline County 4-H and FFA Youth Fair got more than they bid for this year.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently awarded eight families with the 4-H Century Family Award. Each family represented a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H.
Bates County
The Barber family
Vernon County
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.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This fall, Missouri youths ages 5-18 and the volunteers and faculty who serve them will have access to projects in 4-H Goes Online through Canvas, an easy-to-use online learning platform.
A youth specialist guides a team through mapping local schools, events, resources and demographics across NE Missouri counties.
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.
COOK STATION, Mo. – Five Missouri 4-H youths took part in a first-ever primitive camping experience June 16-17 at the University of Missouri’s Wurdack Extension and Engagement Center in Cook Station.
A program helps incarcerated parents and their children develop life skills, improve communication, and strengthen family bonds through monthly visits and activities.
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 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…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest, April 10, drew 19 youths from across the state to the MU campus to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related topics.
Top junior competitors (ages 8-10 only)
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, April 9, drew 70 4-H members to compete at William Woods University in Fulton.
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.
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest on March 1 drew 88 4-H members from across the state to William Woods University in Fulton.
The Issue
In the state of Missouri, and many other states, traditionally 4-H has been delivered in community clubs that are family based and operate outside of any school, church, or other identifying community. This Community Club model has proven to offer youth an opportunity for positive youth…
SEDALIA, Mo. – Forty-six Missourians will be inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Fred E. Davis Multipurpose Center on the State Fair Community College campus in Sedalia.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging contest on Feb. 17 drew 48 competitors, said Don Nicholson, Missouri 4-H interim associate director.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation proudly celebrates seven families as recipients of the 2024 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award.
PLATTSBURG, Mo. – In February, MU Extension in Clinton County offered local teens a hands-on preview of basic skills they’ll need to navigate adulthood.
ROLLA, Mo.— “It’s not rocket science.” The phrase is often used to assure people that something is simple and easy to understand. At the same time, it pushes the idea that actual rocket science is really hard—and certainly not for kids.
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.
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.
Molly Archer led the Missouri 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, excelling in Ayrshires, Guernseys, and Jerseys. Justice and Melzer followed in second and third.
Beth SynderAs kids we often respond to the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with answers like
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Future generations will have the opportunity to attend State 4-H Congress thanks to the generosity of Robert E. “Bud” Hertzog and his late wife, Betty Hertzog, who passed away Oct. 14, 2019.
“Birth order and it’s effects on the person has been fascinating scientists and the general public for at least one hundred years,” says Janice Weddle, County Engagement Specialist in Youth Development for the University of Missouri Extension. There have been several studies to try to…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Boone County Commission recently recognized Boone County 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team and Columbia FFA Livestock Judging Team. Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the teams for placing first in state competitions in 2017.
On Military Appreciation Day, 4-H members and the public packed care packages for 250 Missouri soldiers stationed overseas.
Youth across Missouri gain hands-on financial education via a new household finance simulator for ages 13-18, supported by BTC Bank.
Missouri and Bangladesh youth explore culture, family, and healthy living through virtual meetings and collaborative projects.
Middle schoolers explore careers, discover strengths, and visit colleges at Camp Ca-Pow. Interns and alumni support first-gen students' futures.
Packets from MU Extension in Perry County keep homebound kids busy and learning.
PERRYVILLE, Mo. – When Bethany Bachmann saw Perry County parents fretting online about how to keep their homebound kids busy and learning, she knew just what to do.
Christine Tew"Home team" typically refers to a favorite sports team.
LaTisha Scott-Snead is honored with the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award for years of dedication to Clark County youth.
The Clover Classic golf tournament marked its 10th year by raising $48,000 to support Missouri 4-H youth programs.
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.
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.
Celebrate 75 years of empowering youth at the Clover Gala, which raised over $117,000 for scholarships and programs supporting Missouri's future leaders.
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.
Crystal Burch is honored for 11+ years of service with the 2025 Missouri 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award.
A new scholarship honors Dana Brown Haynes by supporting Evening Star 4-H Club youth in education and leadership.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Mom led by example and was always right by our side offering support and help with whatever we needed,” says Connie Wieberg of her mother, Donna Martz, who passed away in 2018. “She was a big reason we all succeeded in 4-H.”
HANNIBAL, Mo. – In her 20s, Linda Studer had a dream of opening a business in historic Hannibal.
4-H programs boost youth hope, social skills, and growth, supporting positive development and future success.
Youths create films for a national 4-H showcase and connect with peers from across states through FilmFest.
Aaron BakerIn 1999 the Dixie Chicks sang the lyrics, "Both members of the 4-H club, both active in the FFA," in t
Kaleigh Summers brings her 4-H roots to coordinate events showcasing research, projects, and initiatives at the Missouri State Fair.
Golfers raised over $69,000 at the 4-H Clover Classic, supporting youth programs and celebrating record-breaking generosity.
Golfers raised over $91,000 at the 4-H Clover Classic to support youth programs across Missouri.
Golfers raised over $76,000 at the 4-H Clover Classic, supporting youth programs and development across Missouri.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Golfers hit the greens in support of Missouri 4-H youth at the eighth annual 4-H Clover Classic Golf Tournament on June 6 in Columbia, Mo. Co-presenting sponsors were The Climate Corp., a division of Monsanto, and Great American Insurance Group’s Crop Division.
Governor Mike Parson proclaims October 6–12 as 4-H Week in Missouri, celebrating youth leadership and community impact.
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.
A 1930s-era cap and sewing project from a rural youth, paired with a memoir, offer a vivid glimpse into a young woman’s creative beginnings and journey into adulthood.
Volunteers helped Missouri 4-H students continue embryology lessons at home with incubators and hatching chicks.
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.
Henry County 4-H member visits Capitol Hill to advocate for agriculture through the National Ag Day Student Leadership Program.
Mike Kateman shares how 4-H shaped his leadership, life lessons, and success in community and career.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Horse Shows Association (MHSA) and University of Missouri Extension in Boone County hosted a Horse Bowl competition in Columbia at the Stephens College campus Jan. 27.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty-two Missouri teens recently attended Ignite by 4-H, a four-day conference in Washington, D.C., focused on STEM, agriscience and healthy living.
The Issue
Youth involved in 4-H have the opportunity to be members from ages eight to eighteen. According to a 2009 study from Tufts University, 4-H youth appear to have higher levels of developmental assets that are found to be most important in positive youth development (Lerner et al., 2009).
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.
Jenna Hasekamp’s journey from 4-H show rings to college livestock judging highlights youth leadership, growth, and agricultural passion.
Honoring nearly 60 years of dedication, Jenise Burch receives the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award and supports Vernon County 4-H.
When in-person camps were canceled, creative virtual and at-home activities kept traditions alive, giving kids a fun, hands-on summer.
Educational kits deliver hands-on STEM, nutrition, gardening, and arts & crafts activities to youths without internet access in rural communities.
Brian McKimmey was honored with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award for over 16 years of service to youth and community.
Whitney Yerina of Laclede County earned top honors at the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, showcasing strong skills in multiple dairy breeds.
Emily Bergsieker is honored for 13+ years of volunteer service with Lafayette County 4-H and receives the Naomi Crouch Leadership Award.
Lanes Prairie 4-H Club starts the year with an apple butter meeting, teaching youth cooking skills and building community.
Karla Deaver, county engagement specialist in 4-H youth development for MU Extension in Lawrence County, is doing daily story times on her YouTube channel and the county extension center’s Facebook page, reading b
Elaine George has led her 4-H club for 30+ years, inspiring youths with dedication, hands-on projects, and lasting community connections.
Macon County 4-H Club swiftly transitioned to remote learning, utilizing online platforms to continue engaging youth in educational activities during COVID-19.
Angela Helton is recognized for 25+ years of volunteer service with Macon County 4-H and receives a leadership award.
Seven Missouri families are honored for a combined 100+ years of dedication and service in 4-H programs.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized eight families with the 2021 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award. Each family represents a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H.
Lewis County
The Missouri 4-H Foundation honored three families with the 2020 Century Family Award, recognizing over a century of combined service.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Missouri 4-H volunteer Mary Beth Mitchell with the 2021 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Mitchell, of Monroe County, is being recognized for more than 30 years of service and support to…
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).
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation presents Michelle Taylor with the 2025 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Taylor is recognized for more than 19 years of service and support to 4-H in Henry County.
Middle school students explore hands-on science, engineering, and health careers to spark future interests and goals.
The Miserez-Carter 4-H Endowment Fund provides internships that help students explore careers in youth development and Cooperative Extension.
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.
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.
Missouri 4-H honors volunteers who inspire youth through mentorship, leadership, and dedication. Their contributions empower young people across the state.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Mike Parson designated Oct. 1-7, 2023, as National 4-H Week in Missouri. During the week and beyond there will be events and activities promoting the values and principles of 4-H.
Missouri 4-H dairy judging team excelled at the All-American contest, earning top spots in oral reasons and breed classes.
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Missouri 4-H had its best finish since 1998 in the 2017 National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest on Oct. 2 at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H faculty have recently shared their expertise and influence nationally about issues as diverse as programming for youths who are homeless and the decision-making process behind going to the State Fair in the midst of a pandemic.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation has awarded 78 scholarships totaling $101,000 to 4-H youths across the state for the 2025-26 academic year.