Category: 4-H

Lauren Smith, 4-H Agent

The Laurens County Youth Livestock Show brought together almost 150 young exhibitors from 19 counties across South Carolina to showcase their hard work and dedication to animal care. This year’s event featured a wide variety of livestock, including beef and dairy cattle, swine, rabbits, dogs, and meat goats at our brand-new Agricultural Center.  

Alongside the livestock show, youth also had the chance to show off their creative talents in the expanded Youth Creative Contest. There were over 55 entries ranging from photography and delicious homemade foods to sewing projects, pottery, and original drawings. Each piece reflected the imagination, effort, and unique style of its creator. The contest was a great reminder that 4-H youth programs aren’t just about animals. Young people have opportunities to express themselves, try new skills, and be proud of their creativity as well. 

Families, friends, and community members filled the stands, cheering on the youth and celebrating the importance of agriculture in Laurens County. Their support made the show feel welcoming, celebrating not just the animals in the ring but also all the hard work the kids put in to get there. 

Lauren Smith, 4-H Agent

Exciting things are happening in Laurens County 4-H! Several new clubs are forming, and a few clubs are reestablishing, giving local youth even more opportunities to explore their interests, build leadership skills, and connect with others in the community. 

Among the newest additions are: 

Crafty Crew – A perfect fit for creative minds who love hands-on art and DIY projects. 

Herd & Harvest Club – Combining agriculture and animal science for youth passionate about livestock and farming. 

Crusader 4-H Club at Laurens Academy – Bringing the spirit of 4-H directly into the LA school community. 

Among the relaunched clubs are: 

Homeschool 4-H – A program for homeschool families to engage in fun, educational 4-H experiences. 

Teen Council – Youth leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their clubs, community, and beyond. 

These exciting new clubs are supported by the strong foundation of our established groups Raiders at Laurens High, Clinton House Shell Shockers, Joanna Woodson Afterschool, and the ever-popular Greenville- Laurens Dairy Club, which continues to offer enriching experiences for members interested in dairy education and animal care.  

From cooking and crafts to agriculture and service, each club provides a space where kids can learn by doing, grow their confidence, and make lasting friendships. Dedicated parents and volunteers play an essential role in supporting these efforts, helping to guide the next generation of 4-H members.  As these clubs take root and flourish, Laurens County youth will have more opportunities than ever to grow, lead, and make their mark. 

Haven Blackwell
4-H Youth & Development Agent
Cherokee County

Cherokee County 4-H is excited to announce the launch of our new Teen Council club, a group designed to empower young people to become leaders in their communities and beyond. With a focus on community service, career exploration, and civic engagement, this club offers teens meaningful opportunities to grow while making a positive impact right here at home.

Our Teen Council currently consists of six dedicated teens who are already hard at work planning their first community service project. In partnership with a local soup kitchen, the club is developing a way to serve those in need and learn firsthand the importance of giving back. This project will not only benefit our neighbors but also help members gain valuable skills in leadership, organization, and teamwork.

Beyond community service, Teen Council will also focus on career exploration and civic engagement. Members will have the chance to:

• Explore different career paths through guest speakers, workshops, and hands-on experiences.
• Learn what it means to be an active and productive citizen.
• Develop leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

We are currently looking for more teens who want to be a part of this exciting new club. If you are passionate about making a difference, curious about future careers, or eager to get involved in your community, we invite you to join us!

For more information or to get involved with the Cherokee County 4-H Teen Council or any of our other opportunities, please contact your 4-H agent, Haven Blackwell, at daynab@clemson.edu or (864) 649-8252. Together, we can Make the Best Better. 

Life in 4-H

Click here for the Cherokee County 4-H Newsletter for October!

Laura Haddon
4-H Agent
Spartanburg County

Three talented teen members of Spartanburg County 4-H recently took their cooking skills—and their 4-H journey—to the next level. They earned a coveted spot at the National 4-H Food Challenge Competition, held at the State Fair of Texas!

Ada Jarrett, John Jarrett, and Anna Vidrine have been active in Spartanburg County 4-H since their Cloverbud years. Over the past two years, this dynamic trio has sharpened their culinary skills by attending the South Carolina 4-H Cooking Like a Chef Summit and leading the Spartanburg County 4-H Cooking Like a Chef Camp.

In April, the team, joined by fellow member Micah Marsh, competed in the South Carolina Team Cooking Challenge and placed third statewide. That strong finish opened the door for Ada, John, and Anna to represent South Carolina on the national stage.

All summer long, the team met weekly to practice preparing appetizers, main dishes, and side dishes. Their dedication paid off. While they did not place in the top three, they proudly represented both our county and our state—making history as the first Spartanburg County 4-H Cooking Team to compete nationally!

We are incredibly proud of these youth and excited to see where their skills and leadership take them next. Their success marks just the beginning of a growing 4-H Cooking Program in Spartanburg County.

If you would like to support opportunities like this—whether by volunteering to lead a club or sponsoring the cost of ingredients for monthly meetings—please contact Spartanburg County 4-H Agent, Laura Haddon. Together, we can help even more young people discover their potential through 4-H.

Fairfield County 4-H is excited to announce the launch of the Seeds of Success: Youth Agri-Business Builders program, a new initiative designed to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders and entrepreneurs. The program will be hosted in partnership with Set in Stone Sustainability Farm and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s ACRE program, with support from the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and others.

High school students from across Fairfield County will have the opportunity to apply and participate in this innovative program. Through a series of hands-on workshops, leadership development activities, and business-building experiences, students will learn valuable skills in agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

At the conclusion of the program, one top participant will be named the Seeds of Success Winner. This winner will receive over $1,000 in conference scholarships and prizes, including a $200 cash award, to further support their growth as a young leader in agriculture.

“This program is about equipping our youth with the tools and confidence they need to think like entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and leaders in agriculture,” said 4-H Youth Development Agent, Martina Wicker. “We are thrilled to partner with organizations who share our vision of investing in the future of Fairfield County.”

Applications are open now and are due by September 26. Interested students may apply through Fairfield County 4-H, and spots will be available for youth from each high school in the county.

Fairfield County 4-H extends its gratitude to Set in Stone Sustainability Farm, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s ACRE program, and the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce for their partnership and support in making Seeds of Success possible.

For more information about the program or to access the application, please contact Fairfield County 4-H at (864) 985-2904 or mewick@clemson.edu. 

Mallory Fulmer

As summer winds down, we’re reflecting on the fun, friendships, and learning that filled our 4-H days. We are thrilled to share that all of our Newberry County 4-H summer camps sold out and were a huge success!

This year’s lineup included:

• Engineer Camp – 4-H’ers competed for two days in teams of four to take on exciting engineer challenges.
• Crafty Clovers Art Camp – A full day of creativity and fun with pottery, painting, and more hands-on art projects.
• Crochet Camp – With the help of our amazing volunteers, 4-H’ers learned basic crochet techniques learning to make granny squares and dish rags.
• Camp 4-H – Our Cloverbuds spent three days exploring Natural Resources and Agriculture through engaging activities and outdoor fun.
• Farm Tour Camp – We toured local farms and learned more about agriculture right here in our community.

In addition to our camp fun, three of our senior-aged 4-H’ers attended SC 4-H Congress at Clemson University this summer. They had opportunities to engage in leadership activities, experience college life firsthand, and build lasting connections with 4-H friends from across the state.

We’re so proud of everything our 4-H’ers accomplished this summer and can’t wait to see what the 2025–2026 4-H year brings!

Mallory Fulmer

A new 4-H year is here, and we couldn’t be more excited for all the opportunities, adventures, and learning experiences ahead! Newberry County 4-H is thrilled to announce that we will be offering 11 amazing clubs starting this September—there’s something for every interest and age group.

This year’s club lineup includes:

• Clovers in the Kitchen
• Kids in the Kitchen
• Seniors in the Kitchen
• Clovers STEM Club
• Kids STEM Club
• Teen Council
• Needleworks Club
• Homeschool Club
• Sharpshooters Air Rifle Club
• Shellshockers Shotgun Club
• Eagles Shotgun Club

We’re also growing in more ways than one! This year, eight schools in Newberry County will be participating in our School Garden Program. These schools will receive four plant deliveries throughout the year so their students can enjoy hands-on planting and gardening right at school.

And we can’t forget one of our favorite spring traditions—the 4-H Embryology Project! We’ll be working with local schools to give students an up-close look at the life cycle of a chicken, from egg to fluffy chick.

Of course, that’s just the beginning. We’ll be offering fun camps and hands-on workshops throughout the year, so keep an eye out for announcements—you won’t want to miss a thing.

Here’s to another year of growing leaders, building friendships, and making memories in Newberry County 4-H!

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

As we begin a new 4-H year in Greenville County, members have an exciting opportunity to showcase their growth and achievements through updated 4-H portfolios. These portfolios not only serve as a valuable record for future college applications but also offer a chance to earn county awards and prepare for the State Portfolio submission. An interview component will be held in the spring, required for senior members and optional for juniors. Cloverbuds are encouraged to participate by reciting the 4-H pledge alongside their submission. Portfolio guidelines for junior and senior members are available on the Greenville County 4-H website, where they can be downloaded or requested as a printed copy. Start your 4-H story today and make this year one to remember!

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

The second annual summer program, Cloverbud Days, introduced our youngest group
of 4-H’ers to all areas of our program. Due to its success and continued interest, we’re
excited to announce the launch of a new club specifically for Cloverbud-aged members.
This club will meet monthly at the Greenville Extension office on the third Thursday of
each month.
This summer also featured a Junior Master Gardener program in partnership with the
summer camp at Front Porch Housing. With around 29 youth participants, this initiative
engaged youth ages 5–18 in gardening and leadership through interactive outdoor
activities. Additionally, our summer program at the Sterling Center introduced youth to
the wide range of 4-H project areas and was a major success, drawing nearly 40
participants each week.
None of these programs would have been possible without the incredible efforts of our
4-H program interns, Chloe Margeson and Mathilde Mitton, who planned, marketed,
prepared, and implemented each of these initiatives. Their dedication and creativity
were instrumental in making this summer a meaningful and enriching experience for all involved.

By: Amie Mabe, Greenville County 4-H Agent

This year’s Greenville County Volunteer Conference was a resounding success! Held at
Upstate Circle of Friends, the event brought together 25 enthusiastic participants
representing five county programs. As the second annual gathering of its kind, the
conference offered valuable training, resources, and networking opportunities to both
new and returning volunteers. Attendees left feeling more prepared and inspired to lead
their clubs and support 4-H programming throughout the upcoming year. We’re excited
to continue this tradition next summer, further strengthening our volunteer community
and enhancing the impact of 4-H in Greenville County.