Albemarle/Charlottesville 4-H

09/08/2026

Check out this great article from The Crozet Gazette featuring the hard work and preparation from Albemarle 4-H members at the Albemarle County Fair!

At the Albemarle County Fair, 15-year-old Hope Garrison walked away with first place in the Market Steer competition, the culmination of more than a year of halter-breaking, feeding and building trust with a 1,610-pound Black Angus-Hereford cross named Mr. Bean. Garrison, a sophomore at the Miller S...

09/02/2026

🌟 Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Awards — 2027

Are you a Virginia 4-H member ages 15–18 who has turned your 4-H experience into leadership, service, or community impact? This is a tremendous opportunity for Albemarle/Charlottesville 4-H teens!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Awards, recognizing outstanding teens in four areas:

🌱 Agriculture — farming, animal science, plants, sustainability & more
🏛️ Civic Engagement — community action, service & leadership
💚 Healthy Living — nutrition, wellness, prevention & more
🔬 STEM

4-H camp experiences can fit into any of these categories!

🏆 Pillar winners receive:
• $500 Youth Impact Mini-Grant
• Recognition at An Evening with Virginia 4-H in Richmond
• Scholarships to IGNITE by 4-H in Washington, D.C. and Virginia 4-H State Congress at Virginia Tech
• Opportunity to serve as a Virginia 4-H Youth Spokesperson
• Mentorship and support for future national recognition

✨ NEW for 2027: Approximately 10–12 semifinalists will be recognized during National 4-H Week, with one winner selected in each pillar area.

📅 APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth/youth-in-action.html

08/27/2026

🌲 SAVE THE DATE — 2027 4‑H JUNIOR CAMP
June 28 – July 2, 2027
Holiday Lake 4‑H Educational Center

Campers and parents said it best — 4‑H Camp is where friendships grow, confidence builds, and kids discover what they’re capable of. Here’s what families shared from 2026:

✨ “Best camp ever — I didn’t want to come home.”
✨ “He learned responsibility, leadership, and how to help younger campers.”
✨ “She came home more patient, more confident, and proud of what she accomplished.”
✨ “The staff, teens, and counselors made camp feel like a big family.”
✨ “He even ate salad every day — who knew!”

From archery and riflery to crafts, canoeing, ziplining, Gaga ball, campfires, and leadership opportunities — your child will experience a safe, supportive environment where they can grow, explore, and thrive.

📅 Mark your calendars now:
June 28 – July 2, 2027
Holiday Lake 4‑H Educational Center
Albemarle/Charlottesville • Fluvanna • Greene • FLAGC

We can’t wait to welcome your camper back for another unforgettable summer.

08/04/2026

💧 Did you happen to catch Hydrodude at the Albemarle County Fair?!

The Rivanna 4-H Club Stream Team’s main project this year was designing and creating their very own hydroponic system—putting STEM skills, creativity, and teamwork into action! 🌱💦

Led by 4-H volunteer Kim Lohan, these 4-H’ers have been learning by doing and growing something pretty amazing along the way. We’re so proud of the work they put into this project!

Way to grow, Stream Team! 💚🍀

08/03/2026

So proud of our everyone who showed up, worked hard, and shared their talents at the Albemarle County Fair! 💚🍀 From home arts to livestock, there was so much to celebrate. Congratulations to all youth, families, and volunteers! 🎉

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

We are SO proud of these 4-H’ers!!! 🐴💚

They have worked incredibly hard to earn the opportunity to compete at this prestigious level, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate their accomplishments!

A huge THANK YOU to the dedicated adult volunteers, coaches, and mentors who have invested their time, knowledge, and encouragement to help these young people reach this level of competition. It truly takes a team! 👏🍀

Congratulations, 4-H’ers! We are cheering you on! 🎉

Virginia 4-H Educational Teams rocked it in Perry! We are so proud of each and every one of these 4-Hers for their continual efforts to improve and positive attitudes along the way!

Brief Results below:

Public Speaking
3rd - Ethan Ferris - Frederick

Team Presentation
1st - Bridgette Thomson and Irelyn Hobbs - Albemarle
5th - Eden Farr and Melina Rochester - Albemarle

Horse Bowl
3rd Place Team - Virginia - Frederick 4-H - Ethan F, Emily B, Channing H, Sidney E, Bridgette K

Individual
2nd - Ethan Ferris

Hippology

Written Exam & Slides
10th - Eden Farr
3rd - Melina Rochester
Team
3rd - Virginia - Albemarle

Stations
Individuals
7th - Irelyn Hobbs
6th - Melina Rochester
Teams
3rd - Virginia - Albemarle

Judging
Individuals
9th - Irelyn Hobbs
1st - Melina Rochester
Teams
1st - Virginia - Albemarle

Team Problem
3rd - Virginia - Albemarle

Overall
Individuals
9th - Irelyn Hobbs
2nd - Melina Rochester
Teams
3rd - Virginia - Albemarle - Irelyn H, Bridgette T, Eden F, Melina R
Horse Judging

Halter
9th - Sherry Klug
7th - Alexis Davis
3rd - Virginia

Performance
5th - Sherry Klug

Reasons
9th - Aubrey McClure
7th - Alexis Davis
6th - Sherry Klug
3rd - Virginia

Overall
8th - Sherry Klug
5th Virginia A - Sherry K, Aubrey M. Alexis D
6th - Virginia B Lily H, Bridgette K, Emily B

Congrats to all on a job well done!!

07/29/2026

The Albemarle County Fair Home Arts & Horticulture Committee are standing by to take in entries today until 8pm. Photo from 2025.

07/28/2026

🚨 ALBEMARLE COUNTY FAIR EXHIBIT ENTRIES END TODAY!

Show off your talents at the 2026 Albemarle County Fair!

Quilts, canned goods, baked treats, windchimes, dioramas, garden harvests & MORE!

Did you see Chiles’ giant peach last year? This year, we’ve added a fun new category for Largest Fruits & Vegetables!

Register TODAY — July 28:
albemarlecounty.fairentry.com

Bring entries TOMORROW — July 29
Entry Barn at James Monroe’s Highland
12–8 p.m.

All community members are welcome to enter!

The Fair will also feature 30+ local organizations and the VA 250 Mobile Museum.

Learn more and find the full schedule:
https://highland.org/event/albemarle-county-fair-4/

07/27/2026

Our 2026 4-H Camp theme was Through the Decades, and this year we had more teen and adult-led classes than ever before! Our amazing volunteers shared their time, talents, and passions by teaching animal science, crafts, dance, drones, fishing, Fundamentals of First Aid, friendship bracelets, gaga, lanyard making, lavender wands, photography, rest and relaxation, super sports, and tie-dye.

From planning and teaching classes to leading activities, supporting campers, and creating unforgettable memories, these volunteers gave so much of themselves to make camp special. This photo includes the teens and adult volunteers from Albemarle/Charlottesville, Fluvanna, and Greene Counties who helped make it all happen!

We are incredibly grateful for every one of you. 4-H Camp truly could not happen without our volunteers! 💚