June  17, 2026 

Sustaining the 4-H program through the busiest season of the
4-H year is vital, as it will shape the programming year ahead. 
Click here for the full article.

Planning is underway for the 27th annual Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, November 21-22, 2026, at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch. The theme for the forum this year is “Lead with Peace, Serve with Love, Grow with 4-H”.

This event, designed for youth ages 14-18, will include speakers, workshops, and the election of the 2027 Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership Council.

We are currently recruiting proposals for workshops. The Youth Council hopes you will be interested in sharing your expertise and talents through this opportunity. Workshops will be offered in two sessions on Saturday, November 21, 2026: 
•    2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (session #1)
•    3:15 - 4:15 p.m. (session #2)

Workshop topics should center on leadership development, reflecting Kansas 4-H’s commitment to helping young people discover their SPARK—the interests and passions that motivate them—and grow into confident, capable leaders. Sessions may address a variety of leadership-related areas, including professionalism, decision-making, career preparation, workplace skills, citizenship, character development, communication, conflict management, ethics, motivation, initiative, leading by example, and time management. Additional topics might explore using resources effectively, goal setting, leadership beyond high school, community involvement, international citizenship, diversity and inclusion, and business etiquette. We are especially interested in proposals that bring fresh, creative, and engaging approaches to these subjects, helping us offer a dynamic, up-to-date selection of workshops that strengthen leadership skills and inspire youth to succeed in their schools, workplaces, and communities. 

Proposals are due July 15, 2026. Find the letter and submission link under Event Details and Information or scan the QR code above.   

The State 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Manhattan, Kansas. Our contest is hosted for the day by the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources. Registration will be due Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and will consist of registering your teams and/or individuals in an online form and then mailing your payment to the State 4-H Office after you receive an invoice. If you are holding qualifying contests later/late fairs, please contact me about late registration.

The ID Sheet for 2026 has been updated with some new items.  The study list for the knowledge portion of the contest has also been updated and continues to include some of the videos from the past three years, along with a few publications.

The contest is for teams and/or individuals.

Registration information will be available for Extension Staff in late June. Local units will be alerted when registration opens.

Livestock show entries for the Kansas State Fair Grand Drive and KJLS will be opening in the next few weeks. Exhibitors must submit an official entry and pay the entry fees directly through each state show in which they would like to participate. The shows are independent, so youth who plan to exhibit in both must enter each show, separately. This includes entries for state-nominated market animals and commercial breeding females, as well as registered breeding females. Show entry is also a young person's opportunity to enter showmanship

A complete nomination does NOT constitute a show entry. A nomination only makes animals eligible for either state show.

The Kansas State Fair Grand Drive entries will be available in early July. The entry link will be available on the Grand Drive as well as their social media platforms. Rules and information is also posted on their website:  https://www.kansasstatefair.gov/p/competitions/grand-drive1
July 15 - Kansas State Fair Grand Drive Entry Deadline

The Kansas Junior Livestock Show (KJLS) will also post their entry link on their website once show entries are being accepted. Watch their website and social media accounts for information regarding show entries, as well as the show rules. Show website:  https://www.kjls.net/
August 15 - KJLS Entry Deadline

Animals that are nominated but do not follow the appropriate entry processes set forth by each show will not be permitted to exhibit. Each show manages their own rules and entries. All families should review the show rules prior to entry. Exhibitors will login and submit their show entries using the same exhibitor accounts they used for state nominations – including exhibitor name and password. Then, nominated animals will be selected from a drop-down menu, using their 4-H tag number. Registered breeding females will be entered off of their registration papers, which must be in the exhibitor's name by the deadlines listed in the show rules.

Contact Lexie Hayes, adhayes@ksu.edu, with questions. 

Starting in May, we will no longer send monthly emails about the status of Criminal Background Check completions. Instead, the list will be updated continuously throughout the month and may be referenced at any time for the most current information.  The location of these can be found in the Kansas 4-H Youth Development TEAMS.

This change is intended to streamline communication, allow access to those who need it with turnover in positions, and reduce the number of emails. While monthly reminder emails will no longer be sent, the list itself will continue to be maintained and updated monthly.

Invoices will continue to be generated every three months and can be found in the same folder in the Kansas Youth Development TEAMS.

Please note that both the monthly list and invoices will be password-protected. When opening these documents, you will be prompted to enter a password. A separate email containing the password will be sent to those who traditionally have received the monthly emails.

If there are any questions please send us an email at Kansas4h@ksu.edu.

Applications for the Kansas Youth Leadership Council and the National 4-H Conference are open. All applications will be completed online and will be due by October 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT.

Any Kansas 4-H member between the ages of 14 and 18 before January 1, 2027, may apply as a Council Rep, and those 15-18 before January 1, 2027, may apply for the National 4-H Conference.

This year's KYLF delegation will elect representatives from the four extension program areas (NE, NW, SE, SW) for one-year terms on the council. Up to 6 National Conference Delegates will be selected through an interview prior to KYLF, and they serve a two-year term on the council.

Scan the QR code to apply!