UME Maryland 4-H

11/02/2026

Celebrating Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports!

Congratulations to the participants and winners of the 2026 Maryland 4-H State Sh***un Match!

Maryland 4-H members gathered on October 17 at the Prince George’s County Trap and S***t Center for a day of competition, skill-building, and sportsmanship.

From trap and s***t to sporting clays, youth demonstrated their knowledge, focus, and skills while representing their local 4-H programs.

Congratulations to all our competitors and award recipients! We are proud of the dedication and sportsmanship Maryland 4-H members showed.

Thank you to the coaches, volunteers, and families who helped make this event possible!

10/31/2026

Congratulations to all!

The pumpkins have spoken—and these four creative entries took the top spots! ✨🎃 🦇 Clover: Spencer L.
🤓 Junior: Berkley L.
🔥 Intermediate: Sylvy K.
🎨 Senior: Savannah K.

From spooky to silly, these pumpkins were full of creativity—and picking just one winner in each category was no easy feat! 👏🎃

🏆 Winners can pick up their prizes at the office beginning Monday, November 2, 2026 between 8 and 4:30 pm. (Reminder: office closed November 3 - Election Day)

Congratulations, pumpkin artists! 🍂👻
🍀

10/30/2026

Get into the Halloween spirit with Maryland 4-H!

Looking for some spooky (and sweet!) inspiration? Check out these fun Halloween craft and treat ideas to add a little creativity to your Halloween celebrations!

This festive collection was created by Maryland 4-H Intern Dana Reddersen. Thanks, Dana, for sharing your creativity with Maryland 4-H!

Which one will you try first?

10/28/2026

MARYLAND 4-H PET COSTUME CONTEST

Tudor Hall 4-H Club is hosting a virtual pet costume contest! If you would like to enter, follow the instructions below:

1. Snap a cute picture of your pet in their costume. Any pet will do! Do you have a pretty pig, a radiant rabbit, or even a darling dog? 4-H members have a wide variety of pets; we will accept them all! Open to all Maryland 4-H members.

2. Email the picture of your pet in costume to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include your pet’s name, the 4-H member’s name, age, and county; what your pet is dressed up as; and your favorite candy in your email. Entries are due by 10/31/26. We will post pictures publicly; please send only photos you are comfortable sharing online. 4-H member does not need to be in the photo.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity, please contact Susan Russell at 301-226-7779 at least 2 weeks before the event. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, s*x, gender identity or expression, s*xual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

10/27/2026

Cultivate What Matters: Growing with Intention, Planning with Purpose

Last week, Maryland 4-H educators, specialists, and staff met for our Maryland 4-H In-Service Meeting to share ideas, strengthen our programs, and plan intentionally for 4-H’s future across the state.

Dr. Jeff Howard, Maryland 4-H Program Leader, led the day, which included remarks from Dr. Jinhee Kim, Associate Dean and Associate Director, University of Maryland Extension, and presentations on the Program Planning Guide, quality indicator development, Beyond Ready prioritization, 4-H Online updates, curricular system examples, and Maryland 4-H Foundation grants.

Through collaborative discussions, program work teams, and a dedicated afternoon staff session, participants explored program priorities, curricular needs, and opportunities to better support Maryland 4-H faculty and programs.

Thank you to everyone who presented, shared ideas, and helped make this a productive day of learning and collaboration. By focusing on what matters and planning with purpose, we can keep growing meaningful learning experiences and leadership opportunities that help Maryland’s young people thrive.

10/23/2026

Maryland 4-H Celebrates NJHA National Recognition and Achievements

Beyond the recognition our youth received in competitive events, Maryland 4-H members earned numerous individual awards across several categories at the National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA) Conference.

Youth Awards and Recognition

Writing in Horticulture

Poetry (Ages 19–22): Bobear Anderson – National Winner

Photography

Single Unedited: Emily Clontz – National Winner

Single Slightly Edited: Emily Clontz – Grand National Winner

Horticulture Collection: Bobear Anderson – Grand National Winner

Horticulture Art

Painting: Emily Clontz – National Winner

Drawing: Emily Clontz – National Winner

Mixed Media: Emily Clontz – Grand National Winner

NJHA's Next Top Chef

Pickles or Relishes: Emily Clontz – Grand National Winner

Jams or Jellies: Emily Clontz – Grand National Winner

Floral Arrangements

Live Floral Arranging: Emily Clontz – Grand National Winner

Youth Leadership Recognition
Both Emily Clontz and Bobear Anderson received Youth Leadership Coordination Recognition for their contributions to the conference.

Bobear also took the lead in facilitating Horticulture Connections, a Jeopardy-style game that has long been a conference favorite. With Bobear at the helm, the activity continued to be a fun and popular experience for participants.

Maryland Delegation Highlights
Despite having limited opportunities to meet and study together before the conference, the Maryland 4-H team demonstrated outstanding teamwork, preparation, and dedication.

During their in-person practice, team members brought samples and shared helpful tips for identifying horticultural materials across multiple categories. They also studied independently using the competition manual, Kahoot!, and other online quizzes.

The team worked collaboratively to develop the Maryland Display Board, quickly bringing their ideas together and preparing their portions of the presentation. Their teamwork continued throughout their travels and time at the conference as they practiced, supported one another, and strengthened their connections.

Both the 4-H and Open members of the Maryland delegation served as outstanding ambassadors for Maryland 4-H. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments, teamwork, and representation of our state!

Adult Recognition
Maryland's adult volunteers and supporters also received prestigious recognition for their dedication and service to NJHA.

Dave Shortall – Diamond Pin Award and Jack and Norma Leaver Distinguished Service Award

Angie Darnsey – Jack and Norma Leaver Distinguished Service Award

Susan Sprout Knight – Diamond Pin Award

These honors reflect the tremendous commitment of Maryland's volunteers and leaders to supporting youth development and horticultural education.

Celebrating Maryland 4-H's NJHA Legacy
As NJHA prepares to conclude its 92-year history at the end of 2026, we reflect with pride on the remarkable legacy Maryland 4-H has established through its involvement with the organization.

Maryland 4-H members and volunteers have participated in NJHA for more than 80 years, contributing to its success through youth leadership, volunteer service, competitive achievements, and national involvement.

Maryland leaders have played important roles in NJHA's history, including Dick Angus, a longtime State Leader who served for many years on the NJHA National Board, and Michael Ensor, a Maryland 4-H Educator who also dedicated many years of service to the National Board.

Throughout the decades, Maryland youth have earned countless honors, including Grand National Winner titles, first-place individual and team awards, Spirit Stick recognition, state display awards, and many other accomplishments.

While NJHA's conclusion marks the end of an era, the experiences, friendships, leadership skills, and opportunities it provided will continue to impact generations of Maryland 4-H members and volunteers.

Thank You for Supporting Maryland 4-H
A special thank you to the Maryland 4-H Foundation, Maryland 4-H State Office, and everyone who has supported our participation in NJHA over the years.

Your continued investment has provided youth with opportunities to grow, learn, develop valuable life skills, build lasting relationships, and explore new possibilities.

We are incredibly proud of the legacy Maryland 4-H has built through NJHA and grateful to everyone who has helped make these experiences possible.

10/22/2026

⭐ Interested in becoming a Maryland 4-H All Star? ⭐ The Maryland 4-H All Stars self-nomination form is now open! Learn more and complete the self-nomination form on the All Stars website, https://www.maryland4hallstars.com/.

Applications are due December 31, 2026.

10/17/2026

LET THE BARKING BRAINPOWER BEGIN!

Calling all Maryland 4-H dog lovers! Unleash your knowledge at the 2026 Maryland 4-H Dog Bowl Contest!

Get ready to wag your way to victory as Junior, Intermediate, and Senior 4-H members test their dog knowledge in this exciting competition! Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or ready for a new challenge, it’s time to show off what you know about our four-legged friends.

SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 6, 2026
WHERE: Animal Science Building, University of Maryland, College Park

Registration opens soon in 4-H Online! Register by November 15, 2026.

Questions? Contact Ashley Travis at [email protected] or Chris Anderson at [email protected].

Gather your team, sharpen your dog knowledge, and get ready to FETCH some fun! Who’s ready to compete?

10/16/2026

Showcase Your 4-H Achievements: Join the Maryland 4-H Portfolio Workshop
Your 4-H experiences tell a story of leadership, service, and growth. Learn how to share that story through a strong portfolio at the Maryland 4-H Portfolio Workshop.

Hosted by the Maryland 4-H Awards and Recognition Committee, this interactive workshop will help senior 4-H members prepare portfolios for competitive national leadership opportunities.

Workshop Detail
Date: Monday, November 2, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Audience: All senior 4-H members

Contact Joseph Cho at [email protected] for more information.

10/13/2026

Launching into Leadership with Maryland 4-H!

On October 10, in Carroll County, 4-H teens came together for "Launch into Leadership", a fun and inspiring day focused on building skills and exploring new opportunities!

Led by the Maryland 4-H State Council and their advisors, Dr. Joseph Cho, Santana Sparks, and Michelle Harman, teens discovered national and international 4-H trip opportunities and explored ways to strengthen their leadership skills.

And they didn’t leave empty-handed! Each 4-H’er took home a toolkit filled with icebreakers, games, and leadership activities to bring back to their clubs and share with fellow members.

Learning, leading, and bringing new ideas back to their communities, that’s 4-H leadership in action!