Youths test knowledge at Missouri 4-H Horse Bowl
COLUMBIA, Mo. –The 2024 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest, April 13 in Columbia, drew 27 youths, along with their coaches. Top junior (ages 8-13) competitors: first, Adalena McAsey, Andrew County team; second, Josie Schulte, Osage County team; third, Dani Jones, Tri-County team; fourth, Guido Giarratana, Tri-County team; fifth, Lola Schmitt, Newton County team, and Lily Rohr, Tri-County team (tie). The top…
Ignite by 4-H conference in D.C. inspires Missouri 4-H'ers to lead change
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. “As challenges in our communities increase, it is essential to consider young people as a driving force in creating new pathways to create solutions,” said Bethany Rippy, University of Missouri Extension youth health and well-being educator.
Missouri 4-H celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 21-27, Missouri 4-H extends its heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who make a difference in the lives of young people across the state.
4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raises more than $21K for Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – On Saturday, March 16, the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex hosted the second annual Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot. This event, aimed at supporting the Missouri 4-H Foundation, brought together teams and sponsors from across the state and raised more than $21,000
States' 4-H International appoints Missouri 4-H alum as board member
COLUMBIA, Mo. – States’ 4-H International, a prominent provider of international student exchange programs, announced the appointment of Missouri 4-H alumna Shea Fitzgerald as a Young Professional Board Member. Missouri 4-H Program Director Lupita Fabregas also serves on the States’ 4-H International Board.
4-H in NE Missouri: Getting To Know Your County
You can live and work somewhere your whole life and still not really know it, says Katie Hogan, a 4-H youth development specialist in MU Extension’s Northeast Region. That is why Hogan launched the Getting To Know Your County training with her team of youth development specialists and youth program associates the region.
Missouri Shorthorn Association 4-H and FFA Youth Awards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Shorthorn Association (MSA) has announced the winners of its 4-H and FFA Youth Awards for 2024. First place ($750) and second place ($500) awards were given to youths who participate in either 4-H or FFA. Additional awards went to youths who participate in either organization. The winners received the funds in form of a voucher to aid in the purchase of a registered Shorthorn/Shorthorn Plus breeding stock.
Youths test skills at State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, March 23, drew 81 competing 4-H members. This year’s event was hosted at William Woods University in Fulton, said Maria Calvert, Missouri 4-H state agriculture educator. After the contest, youths and coaches toured the facilities and learned more about the equine program from faculty and students. The top 10 competitors ages 8-10:
Adulting 101: Building a foundation for future success
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. During a day off from school, 20 teens, ages 14-18, attended Adulting 101 at the Clinton County Extension Center in Plattsburg. Community members, parents and extension council members had asked for such a program.
Patterson Family Foundation awards grant for 4-H youth workforce development
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Patterson Family Foundation has awarded funds to Missouri 4-H for a three-year pilot project focusing on youth workforce development, overcoming barriers to higher education and improving financial literacy. The project, which incorporates multiple 4-H programs, targets youths in the rural counties of Harrison, Livingston, Nodaway, Pettis and Vernon.
New college scholarship for Pike County 4-H'ers
A new scholarship will help fund post-high school education for Pike County 4-H’ers, thanks to an endowed scholarship from Earl and Shari Beth Niemeyer of Bowling Green. Both were both active in Pike County 4-H as youths: Shari Beth belonged to the St. Clement Busy Bees, and Earl was a 10-year member of the Hartford Go-Getters. Their four children – Ryan, Scott, Elizabeth and Reed – were also 10-year members of the Go-Getters and…
MU livestock specialists on new MDA exhibition rules
New exhibition rules issued by the Missouri Department of Agriculture late last year for showing cattle and swine at county fairs and exhibitions go into effect this year. University of Missouri Extension specialists say the changes encourage healthy animals.
2024 4-H State Meats Judging Contest
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. Held in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program, the event gave contestants the opportunity to hone their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities, said Maria Calvert, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator. Junior division (ages 8-13)
Feeling hopeful about the future: 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development results
Missouri 4-H is part of a recent national Replication and Reconnection Study documenting the benefits of 4-H programming. MU Extension 4-H youth development specialist Tanner Adkins and Christal Huber, former 4-H youth development specialist and now senior programing coordinator at Mizzou, led the Missouri study, surveying youths three times over an extended period.
Students discover STEM, ag careers at day camp hosted by Missouri 4-H and Bayer
CREVE COEUR, Mo – In November 2023, almost three dozen students in grades 6-8 and their teachers from Marian Middle School in St. Louis joined Missouri 4-H and Bayer professionals for a day camp focused on STEM and agriculture careers.
Lawrence County 4-H'ers raise funds for 14,892 Wreaths for Warriors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The wreath that Payton, age 12, and Aria Duwe, 9, will lay on their great-grandfather’s grave is just one of thousands that Lawrence County 4-H’ers plan to leave at the Springfield National Cemetery during this year’s Wreaths for Warriors ceremony 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
Missouri 4-H youths fall into fashion
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue, Oct. 14 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, drew 61 youth participants representing 25 counties across the state.Workshops were hosted by MU’s Textile and Apparel Management students and Collegiate 4-H members, said Megan Kershner, MU Extension 4-H clubs manager and awards coordinator.
State 4-H public speaking contest allows youths to shine
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Youths from across the state took part in one of Missouri 4-H’s oldest and most popular competitions, the 4-H State Public Speaking Contest. Held on the University of Missouri campus in September, the event drew 45 youths from 27 counties.
Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finishes 2nd
The Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finished second overall at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, held in October at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.Competing in a field of 20, the team had its best finish in more than 100 years and qualified for international competition, said University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist Karla Deaver, who coaches the team with retired MU Extension dairy…
Archer tops Missouri 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
SEDALIA, Mo. – Molly Archer earned high individual honors at the State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, Aug. 19 at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Archer, the daughter of Robert and Jamey Archer of Falcon, was the high individual in Ayrshires, Guernseys and Jerseys. She was also second in Holsteins and tied for first place in oral reasons.
Missouri 4-H dairy judging team competes at All-American
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Missouri 4-H had a strong outing at the 2023 All-American Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, Sept. 17 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team finished seventh overall in the 13-team field, said Karla Deaver, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
Missouri 4-H celebrates National 4-H Week
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. These include community service projects, celebrations and achievement days highlighting positive impacts 4-H has had on young people and their communities, said Lupita Fabregas, senior program director for the University of…
Elevating Excellence: 2023 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inductees
SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H community honored the 2023 inductees into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame in August at State Fair Community College in Sedalia.
Missouri 4-H College and Career Pathways Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In July, 49 high-school-aged youths representing the greater Kansas City area, St. Louis and Clay County experienced the 21st annual 4-H College and Career Pathways Conference at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
More than 1,000 Missouri youths take part in 4-H Aerial Ag Challenge
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Across Missouri, 1,163 youths participated in the 2023 4-H Ag Innovators Experience Aerial Ag Challenge.Twenty-two 4-H teen leaders spent the summer teaching others to apply critical-thinking skills to solve a real-world agriculture challenge, using line-following robots to show how drones can aid in precision agriculture, said Maria Calvert, state 4-H agriculture educator.