SEDALIA, Mo. — The Missouri State Fair offers an opportunity for members to exhibit their skills in the 4-H Building, their showmanship in the livestock arenas, and their character through demonstrations. For many, this is a culminating experience which impacts youth beyond just the premium and ribbon. Missouri State Fair visitors experienced first-hand the foundations of the 4-H program by browsing aisles of exhibits, cheering on youth in the show ring, and participating in activities showcasing the 4-H project areas.
For the 2023 Missouri State Fair, the 4-H Building showcased 143 youth demonstrations and 3,501 exhibits, 67 of which received a Best of Show award. Daily activities gave visitors the opportunity to engage with 4-H professionals and briefly experience the projects offered by 4-H. These activities focused on the areas of STEM, agriculture, expressive arts, healthy living, and youth preparedness.
Our 4-H Clover Kid and Family Day, hosted Saturday, August 12, showcased several of our 4-H opportunities including 4-H Zoo Apprentice Camp, 4-H Shooting Sports, the Missouri 4-H Foundation, and our Missouri 4-H State Council and Ambassador programs. Clover Kid members brought in project items to display that day and gave demonstrations in the 4-H Building. On Monday, August 14, Missouri 4-H collaborated with Feeding Missouri to educate fairgoers on food insecurity and resources around our state.
This was the 65th year for 4-H members to grow traditions in the current 4-H Building at the Missouri State Fair. Built in 1905, it was named the Poultry Building to serve the needs of the poultry department. In the 1930s, it was designated the Missouri Building to house the Missouri State Exhibit from the Chicago Century of Progress Exposition. Since 1958, Missouri 4-H has called it home.
In the Mizzou Central Building, Missouri 4-H was showcased through the 4-H Show Me Wares program. This program provides the opportunity for 4-H youth entrepreneurs to sell their original products or services at the Missouri State Fair.
During the state fair, 1,094 4-H livestock exhibitors took to the show rings with a total of 3,259 livestock entries. These entries included beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, meat goats, dairy goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits.
About 4-H
More than 55,000 members strong, Missouri 4-H is an active, dynamic organization of young people who are learning, growing and preparing to be the leaders of today and tomorrow – making a real difference in their community, country and world. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri and the nation’s Cooperative Extension System. For more information on Missouri 4-H, visit 4h.missouri.edu.
