The month of October is always exciting for our 4-H community. Not only does it bring crisp air and changing leaves, but it also marks the start of our new 4-H year! Oct. 1 was the first day of our new year, which means that we get to open enrollment to new members, and our returning members get to pick new projects for the 2025-26 4-H year. If you’ve ever wondered what 4-H is all about, or thought your child might enjoy hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, or community involvement, now is the perfect time to join.
To learn more, visit laplatacounty4h.org or call us at the La Plata County Extension Office. (Please note that due to maintenance, our office at the La Plata County Fairgrounds will be closed to the public until Dec. 1.)
Another reason to be excited this month is that we have some incredible achievements to celebrate. Our La Plata County/Montezuma Livestock Judging Team recently traveled to Kansas City to compete at the American Royal Livestock Judging Contest, one of the most prestigious national contests in the country. Only one team per state is invited to participate, and our La Plata County/Montezuma team proudly earned third place! This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects years of dedication, teamwork and skill development.
Livestock judging teaches youth how to evaluate animals for quality and conformation, but more importantly, it strengthens critical-thinking, communication and decision-making skills that serve them for a lifetime.
Another La Plata County 4-H member on the world stage is Piper Lang, who qualified for the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Lang is one of only three youths from Colorado selected for this prestigious program, which is hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation. The Global Youth Institute brings together students, educators and international leaders to address some of the world’s most pressing issues surrounding food insecurity, agriculture and sustainability.
To earn her spot, Piper wrote a comprehensive research paper on food insecurity in Ecuador, focusing on the role of Cuy farming in addressing local nutrition and sustainability challenges. Her research explores innovative solutions for food production that can improve access to nutritious and sustainable food sources. While in Iowa, Lang will present her findings to a panel of global experts and peers, gaining valuable feedback and insight into international agricultural development.
I couldn’t be prouder of the accomplishments of our 4-H youth. Their hard work, curiosity and commitment to learning show the true spirit of what 4-H represents. Each success story – whether it’s a blue ribbon at the fair, a research paper on global food systems or a new member discovering their passion – is a great reminder as to why youth development matters so much.
As we begin another exciting 4-H year, we invite families across La Plata County to get involved. Whether you join a club, volunteer or sponsor an event, your support helps us continue building a strong, caring and innovative generation of leaders.
Angela Fountain is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach her at angela.fountain@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6460.
