Stone County 4-H

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories that will highlight youth-oriented programs in Stone County. Readers are invited to suggest topics by e-mailing the editor at leader@yelcot.net

Do you want your kids to make eye contact when they’re talking with you?

Want them to speak up, have good diction and not mumble?

Do you want them to be able to build a fire and cook something nutritious on it?
Do you want the same kid to look at a cut of meat in a grocery store and know what it is and how to cook it?

If you answered “yes” to any of those propositions, you probably want your youngster to join 4-H, a statewide youth development program conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service.

Stone County 4-H is on a roll.

Led by University of Arkansas Extention Agents Tyler Caston and Anna Harlan, along with parent volunteers, 4-H members have studied and practiced their way to two important championships lately.

The first big win was a state championship in December and a national ranking of 7th place in January in public speaking for 16-year-old Addison Kennon.

The next big win came early in 2024 as a Mountain View meat judging team took a statewide win in 4-H en route to a national competition coming in October this year in Kansas City.

“If we study for that (the KC nationals) like we did the state contests, I think we could win again,” said team member Blake Marsolf, 16.

The 4-H team also includes Addison Kennon, her 14-year-old sister Ava, and Tucker Cox.

A Future Farmers of America (FFA) meat judging team competing for Mountain View School is nearly identical in membership with Addison Kennon, Marsolf, Cox and Jeremiah Martell. That team will also compete for a national title this fall.

Marsolf said he’s been thinking a lot lately about the Kansas City National 4-H event.

“We will for sure be competing against teams at our level. I think the Texas teams will put up a good fight,” he said.

Texas Tech University in Lubbock is hosting a meat inspection camp in September and the Stone County team will be there.

Read the full story in the June 12 issue.