Teens gather for 71st State 4-H Congress

Teens from across Missouri gathered on the University of Missouri campus June 1-3 for the 71st annual State 4-H Congress. In all, 233 teens ages 14-18 participated in a variety of hands-on workshops that fit their interests. Choices included topics such as marketing, agriculture education, electricity, leadership, line dancing, and a food challenge. Youth attending from Cape Girardeau County were: Andrew Aufdenberg, Caleb Aufdenberg, Hannah Aufdenberg, Nathan Aufdenberg, Zach Aufdenberg, Morgan Crutsinger. Natalie James, Blake Kasten, Lauren McClanahan, Renee Peters, Steven Peters, Dalton Seabaugh, Brent Seyer, Chelsea Seyer, Taylor Seyer, Anthony Strack, Belinda Strack, Julia Todt, Sarah Wichern, and Hailey Yates. Jill Peters and Larry Crutsinger served as the chaperones.

“4-H is about belonging to a group that is learning new skills and exploring the things they care most about," said Lesley Meier, 4-H Youth Specialist. “State 4-H Congress is a place where teens find positive new friends, develop leadership, and explore possible careers as they experience life on a university campus.” Delegates also worked to set priorities for the 36 peers they elected to represent their regions on Missouri’s State 4-H Council for the coming year, outlining youth-identified goals for the next 3-5 years. The State 4-H Council represents their voice at the state level, working as ambassadors of 4-H and representatives of the youth in their regions. Blake Kasten of the Fruitland 4-H club was elected as the alternate regional representative for the Southeast Region.

4-H in Missouri is a program of MU Extension. Over 23,000 Missouri children and teens participate in 4-H clubs, and 269,000 were reached by Missouri 4-H programs in 2015. Research shows young people involved with 4-H more likely to pursue careers in science, attend college, and are nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities.