4-H Volunteer Vibe

MU Extension

Missouri 4-H Volunteer Vibe is your gateway to the exciting world of Missouri 4-H, specially crafted for volunteers! On Volunteer Vibe, we discuss practical tips, inspiring stories, and fresh perspectives to enhance your volunteer experience. Tune in to hear from dedicated 4-H members, passionate volunteers, knowledgeable experts, and more, all focused on making your 4-H volunteer journey a rewarding one.

Episodes

  1. May 11

    Vision 2045: Missouri 4‑H’s Roadmap to Stronger Youth and Communities with Dr. Tim Tanner

    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 convening, and the long‑term Thrive Here goal — and how the plan addresses issues like mental health, economic uncertainty, and technology. Dr. Tanner also explains how volunteers can play a key role, adding the “sprinkles” that enrich 4‑H experiences.

    25 min

  2. Mar 3

    Episode 9: From the Feedlot to the Spotlight: Grady Ruehling on Engagement, Connection, and What 4-H Is Really About

    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 just about livestock and projects — it's about building people who feel compelled to give back.

    28 min

  3. Jan 14

    Episode 8: Reflect to Grow: Practical Reflection Tips for 4‑H Volunteers with Katie Hogan

    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 project records, group project reports, dice/card games, notebooks, and recognition forms—to make reflection routine, fun, and age-appropriate. The conversation highlights how reflection connects project skills to life and career readiness, builds confidence, and helps youth and volunteers make thoughtful decisions about growth and goals.

    33 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Episode 7: Nurturing Leadership through Project Meetings with Heather, Lilly, and Hannah Gooch

    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.

    24 min

  5. 10/10/2025

    Episode 6: Growing Leaders for Life: 4-H, Civic Engagement, and the Power of Volunteers with Dr. Clay Hurdle

    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 research, he discusses what the data reveal about how youth develop as leaders and active citizens—and how these insights are shaping new opportunities across Missouri. We also explore the vital role volunteers play in nurturing leadership and civic engagement in today’s 4-H youth.

    47 min

  6. 08/13/2025

    Episode 5: Farewell Missouri 4-H with Dr. Lupita Fabregas

    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.

    34 min

  7. 07/13/2025

    Episode 4: It’s Summer! Celebrating our Recent 4-H Graduates with Lindsay McDonald

    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 agriculture. She speaks candidly about the mentors and volunteers who supported her along the way, and why she’s committed to giving back. This episode is a tribute to our new batch of 4-H graduates and the volunteers who have helped them thrive. This episode is a tribute to a new batch of 4-H graduates and the volunteers who have helped them thrive!

    20 min

  8. 06/13/2025 ·  Video

    Episode 3: Beyond Ready – What It Is and Why It Matters with Dr. Kellie Seals

    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 thrive in an ever-changing world. Look out for the official roll-out of Beyond Ready in Missouri this October!

    26 min

  9. 05/09/2025

    Episode 2: Engaging New Youth Audiences with Rosalina Albaladejo

    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 agriculture and how her leadership experiences in 4-H have shaped her thoughts on future career paths.

    16 min

  10. 04/11/2025

    Episode 1: Kaycie Hollrah - Empowering 4-H Youth through Extension Councils

    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.

    20 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Missouri 4-H Volunteer Vibe is your gateway to the exciting world of Missouri 4-H, specially crafted for volunteers! On Volunteer Vibe, we discuss practical tips, inspiring stories, and fresh perspectives to enhance your volunteer experience. Tune in to hear from dedicated 4-H members, passionate volunteers, knowledgeable experts, and more, all focused on making your 4-H volunteer journey a rewarding one.

Information

  • Creator
    MU Extension
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 1993 to 2025 Curators of the University of Missouri, all rights reserved. University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer.
  • Show Website
    4-H Volunteer Vibe