What is the impact of 4

Date:2025-07-27 00:11:45 Category:US Views:2 Comment:0

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – In Mississippi, 4-H is synonymous with livestock shows, but its impact extends beyond competitions and county fairs.

According to Mississippi State University (MSU), more than 70,000 young Mississippians participated in 4-H in 2024. Nationally, there are nearly six million members, making it the largest youth development organization in the United States. State leaders, like Mississippi State Senator Nicole Boyd (R-District 9), credit it with their personal growth and development.

The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health. There are 4-H offices in every county in Mississippi. There are four research and extension centers throughout the state. The educational centers for 4-H nationally are land-grant institutions. For Mississippi, that educational anchor is MSU.

The organization is often synonymous with agriculture; however, Mississippi’s chapter of 4-H also has programs focused on youth development, natural resources, family and consumer sciences and government and community development.

2025 4-H Legislative Day at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson (Courtesy: Ellen Graves, MSU Extension Service)
2025 STEAM Day for 4-H at Mississippi State (Courtesy: Ellen Graves, MSU Extension Service)
The Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H ATV Safety Program can train more young people in each class after a recent grant award provided two new ATVs and additional safety equipment. The Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S. grant program awarded the youth development program $10,000. (Photo by MSU Extension Service/Kevin Hudson)
Talent show participant at 2025 Mississippi 4-H Club Congress (Courtesy: Ellen Graves, MSU Extension Service)
Contestant at 2025 Dixie National Livestock Show in Jackson (Courtesy: Ellen Graves, MSU Extension Service)
2025 STEAM Day for 4-H at Mississippi State University (Courtesy: Ellen Graves, MSU Extension Service)
Mississippi 4-H participant using a bow (Courtesy: Ellen Graves, MSU Extension Service)

Statewide, county 4-H groups have classes and camps that engage children in topics like building, quilting and outdoor safety. Local 4-H members often become leaders of their local clubs and 4-H ambassadors statewide. As these participants, commonly known as 4-H’ers, become adults, the state organization often celebrates life milestones.

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Older 4-H’ers participate in STEM, agriculture and even cooking competitions. The competitions often go outside of the state, and Mississippians have performed well. In 2022 and 2024, Mississippi placed first in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational held in West Virginia.

For those interested in livestock shows, Mississippi’s 4-H’ers routinely make their presence known. In the 55th Annual Dixie National Junior Round-Up, the champion steer that sold for $30,000 came from a Jones County 4-H member.

For those interested in joining or volunteering with the organization, visit the MSU Extension Service website.

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