4-H Volunteer Vibe

In this episode, Steven and Caydance sit down with Dr. Tim Tanner, Missouri 4‑H’s new senior program leader, to introduce his Vision 2045 strategic plan, share highlights from statewide listening sessions, and discuss how 4‑H can return to its origin story to better serve youth and communities. The conversation covers Vision 2045’s core principles — growth mindset, durable skills, community conven...

Grady Ruehling didn't set out to become a leader — he just wanted to show pigs. But somewhere between the barn and the stage, 4-H changed everything. In this episode, Grady opens up about the volunteers who believed in him before he believed in himself, what it really means to earn a green jacket, and how setbacks taught him more than any ribbon ever could. His story is a reminder that 4-H isn't j...

In this episode of Volunteer Vibe, Steven and Caydance sit down with Katie Hogan, Northeast Region Youth Development Specialist, and explore the vital role of reflection in the 4‑H experiential learning model (do, reflect, apply) and why intentional reflection accelerates youth development. Through her wealth of experience, Katie offers easy, low-prep strategies that volunteers can use—such as pro...

Volunteer leader Heather Gooch and her two daughters, Lilly and Hannah, join the show to share their expertise on how to make 4-H project meetings an exciting and engaging platform for nurturing teen leaders.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Clay Hurdle, Missouri 4-H’s State Specialist in Leadership and Civic Engagement. From his own 4-H beginnings to his research and statewide leadership, Dr. Hurdle shares how his scholarship is strengthening and expanding 4-H programming that helps young people grow into confident, community-minded leaders. Drawing on both his personal 4-H journey and current re...

In this episode, Dr. Lupita Fabregas, outgoing Senior Program Leader of Missouri 4-H, offers a look into her incredible journey from Mexico to the United States. Lupita shares departing words of wisdom and gratitude to Missouri 4-H volunteers, as well as her hopes for the future of the program.

In this episode of Volunteer Vibe, we celebrate the success of recent 4-H graduate Lindsay McDonald, a 6th-generation agriculturalist from Mount Vernon, Missouri. Lindsey reflects on her journey through 4-H and FFA—from raising livestock and judging competitions to advocating at the Missouri State Capitol—and shares how the two programs shaped her leadership, confidence, and career goals in agricu...

In this episode of Volunteer Vibe, Dr. Kellie Seals—Missouri 4-H State Specialist in Career and College Pathways—joins us to talk about the rollout of Beyond Ready in Missouri 4-H. Dr. Seals explains what volunteers can expect from the initiative, how they can support its implementation, and how Beyond Ready is designed to equip 4-H youth with the skills, confidence, and direction they need to thr...

In this episode of Volunteer Vibe, we chat with 4-H Teen Leader Rosalina Albaladejo. In the spirit of "Beyond Ready", Rosalina discusses practical strategies for recruiting diverse youth into 4-H and shares insights on how the volunteers she works with have helped foster a sense of belonging, empowerment, and connection within and beyond 4-H. Rosalina also reflects on her love of animals and agric...

Kaycie Hollrah, 4-H Youth in Action Award winner, joins Steven on Volunteer Vibe to share her experiences with the award-winning St. Charles County Extension Council Youth Leadership program.