What State 4-H Congress Is
Missouri State 4-H Congress is a three-day leadership event planned by the State 4-H Council and held on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. The most recent edition ran May 28 to 30, 2026. It brings 4-H members from across Missouri together for sessions on a variety of topics, networking, a glow-themed dance, a keynote speaker, college department tours and the election of the 2026-2027 State 4-H Council. The Missouri 4-H Foundation supports the event in partnership with several organizations and donors.
Who Can Attend
- Youth entering grade 9 through those who have just completed grade 12.
- Registration is limited to 300 participants.
- Youth are roomed with another delegate and cannot request a specific roommate.
- Adult chaperones register through their 4-H Online volunteer profile and must complete the 4-H Week Chaperone Training. Contact your local 4-H staff for details.
How It Works: The Timeline
- March 1: registration opens in 4-H Online.
- March 15: opportunity scholarship applications due.
- April 15: registration closes.
- After you register: confirmation letters include a Qualtrics link to choose session preferences. Sessions may fill quickly.
- May 28 to 30: Congress on the Mizzou campus.
Cost and Scholarships
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration | $175 |
| Overnight parking permit | $20, bought through 4-H Online registration |
| Opportunity scholarship | Available; complete the scholarship application (PDF on the event page) and return it by March 15 |
What You Get
Delegates attend sessions chosen from the preferences they submit, hear a keynote speaker, tour college departments at the University of Missouri, meet 4-H members from other counties and take part in the dance. Delegates also vote in the election of the State 4-H Council for the coming year, and members can run for council; candidate and election details are on the State 4-H Council page of the Missouri 4-H site.
How to Register
Register through 4-H Online at state4hcongress26.4honline.com. Do not put information in the registration comments section, because State 4-H staff will not see it. For questions, contact your county 4-H staff or Megan Kershner at the State 4-H office through the Missouri 4-H event page.
Where
University of Missouri campus, Columbia, Missouri. Delegates share rooms, and overnight parking permits are sold through registration.
Questions
Can my 8th grader go?
Congress is for youth entering grade 9 through those who just finished grade 12, so a student entering 9th grade can attend.
Can I pick my roommate?
No. Delegates are roomed with another delegate and cannot request a specific roommate.
What if the cost is a problem?
Apply for an opportunity scholarship by March 15 using the PDF on the event page.
Is the next date announced?
The most recent edition was May 28 to 30, 2026. Check the Missouri 4-H event page for the next dates.
Official Links
- State 4-H Congress, Missouri 4-H: details, scholarship form, registration
- State 4-H Council elections
University of Missouri Extension: The Essentials
What MU Extension is
University of Missouri Extension was founded in 1914 and runs offices in all 114 counties and St. Louis, with 849 faculty and staff and more than 300 programs, per the University of Missouri System.
4-H and the State Fair
Missouri 4-H is part of Extension, and youth showing animals at the Missouri State Fair must complete Show Me Quality Assurance training through 4-H Online, per the State Fair page. The state 4-H office is at 573-882-9359.
Find your office
Use the locations directory for your county office, or the people directory to reach a specialist by topic.
Programs
Program areas include Agriculture and Environment, Missouri 4-H, Business and Community, Health and Human Sciences, and Continuing Education, with Master Gardener and Master Naturalist among the offerings.
Next steps
Call your county office before you drive, and ask about 4-H clubs, fair entry dates and ownership deadlines.
Hours and staffing differ by county.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Boone County Fair
Five-day Boone County Fair at the Boone County Fairgrounds on N Oakland Gravel Rd in Columbia, running July 21-25, 2026.
- Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Carthage
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at Joplin Regional Stockyards, Inc. in Carthage, coordinated by Patrick Davis. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-11-20.
- Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Kingsville
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at Kingsville Livestock Auction in Kingsville, coordinated by David Hoffman. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-11-21.
Kingsville, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details - Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale at Fruitland
Regional Show-Me-Select replacement heifer sale held at SEMO Livestock Sales, LLC in Fruitland, coordinated by Audy Spell. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-12-04.
Fruitland, MO | Organizer: MU Extension Show-Me-Select program Official event details - Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Missouri Farm Bureau members gather at Margaritaville Lake Resort for the 2026 annual meeting, with a trivia night on Dec 6. Scheduled Dec 5-8, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.