The latest news and updates related to the wonderful Livingston County 4-H Program! Office hours:
Mon-Fri 9am- 4pm (closed for lunch 12-1pm)
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4-H originally began in 1902 as the Boys and Girls Club. It w
as established to encourage agricultural education through "learning by doing". The first 4-H emblem appeared around 1907-08 and was originally only a 3-leaf clover: Head, Heart, and Hands. In 1911, it was proposed to add the fourth H, but it was originally going to stand for Hustle: "to render ready service, to develop health and vitality". It was not changed until another proposal, in the same year, suggested adding the fourth H for Health. MSU Extension came around in 1914, but under another name: Cooperative Extension Service or CES. CES served as an organizational entity of the USDA and was created to "conduct educational programs of an 'informal, non-resident, problem-oriented nature.'"
4-H officially became the name of the organization in 1924 (although it had been proposed as early as 1918). The 4-H Pledge was written by Otis Hall, State Leader of Kansas, and was adopted officially in 1927 by the State 4-H Leaders at the first National 4-H Camp. It was unchanged until 1973 when it was modified to include the words, "and my world". The first recorded bulletin of a "Fair-like" showcasing of agricultural products by 4-H-aged youth in Livingston County was in January of 1915. Boys between ages 10 and 18 were encouraged to show off their best crops of corn, potatoes, apples, or a livestock project (one pig from weaning to market or one dairy cow for an entire lactation). Girls of those same ages were encouraged to showcase their best projects related to housekeeping, garment making, canning and marketing, or gardening and canning. All youth were encouraged to showcase poultry and market gardening projects. The first ever recorded 4-H Club in Livingston County was organized in 1919 in the Brown School in Conway Township. It was called the School Lunch Club (sometimes The Brown School Club). It's primary leader was Miss Florence Rogers and it reached 18 members. The first successful livestock club for Livingston County was called the "HOMAGO Livestock Club" which surfaced in 1922. HOMAGO was the combination of the 3 townships that the members of the club were representing: Howell, Marion, and Genoa.
06/19/2026
Ready to brush up on your showmanship skills, or need to learn the basics? Join us on Saturday, June 27th at 10am for our Livestock Showmanship Clinic!
We will be working with Sheep, Goats, Feeder calves, Horses, and Pigs (beach balls). Demonstration animals will be provided - please do not haul in your animals.
Do you have a 4-H teen looking for a volunteer opportunity to promote Livingston County 4-H? We have the event for you!
Livingston County 4-H will be hosting a table at Brighton's Country Boots and Beats Festival on June 20th from 12-7 pm. We will have hands-on activities for kids and families and need help from 4-H teens to help our visitors as they do the activities. No prior experience is needed and we can sign off for volunteer hours.
New to market poultry? Looking to improve your market poultry washing techniques? Join us on Tuesday, July 14th at 5pm at the Fowlerville Family Fair 4-H Livestock Arena to learn how to get your chickens in tip-top shape for show day!
Demonstration birds will be provided - please do not bring your birds with you.
We are looking for 4-H teens interested in helping with 4-H activities at the Brighton Boots & Beats Festival in downtown Brighton on June 20th.
We will be at the festival from 12 pm to 7 pm and are looking for teens interested in helping for 2-3 hours during that time. The activities are already ready to go and teens just need to show up and be ready to help the families and kids who come to our table. We can sign off on volunteer hours if needed!
If you or your teen is interested in helping, please contact Jenny Speyer at [email protected].
We are looking for youth ages 13-19 years old but would also take 4-H volunteers interested in helping.
06/10/2026
ATTENTION NIGHT RUN PARTICIPANTS
Due to the forecast excessive heat and humidity, the Night Run Series show for today, June 10th 2026 has been postponed.
Next show date: Wednesday, July 8th.
Rain date of July 12th - details to come!
06/10/2026
Week 2 results for our Night Run Series are now available below!
As a reminder, staff are monitoring conditions for dangerous heat for tonight's show. Please check here around 2pm for a final decision. Cancellations will be sent via email as well with information on our rain date.
06/09/2026
Attention Night Run Series participants!
Week 1 results are posted! We are hard at work on Week 2 and will post them as soon as they are ready.
We are closely monitoring conditions for tomorrow night's (6/10) show due to the potential for dangerous heat conditions, as well as monitoring footing conditions. We will make a determination on tomorrow's show by 2pm tomorrow (6/10).
06/08/2026
See you tonight!
Get Ready for the Fair Meeting!
Join us to prepare for this year’s fair season! Meet the Superintendent, ask questions, get important information, and receive help with registration.
This is a great opportunity to make sure you’re ready for a successful fair experience!
Bring your questions
Registration assistance available
Meet fellow participants and families
We look forward to seeing everyone there!