4-H youth are beyond ready

Big Horn County joins national celebration of leadership, learning and service

From fairgrounds to classrooms, community gardens to robotics labs, 4-H youth in Big Horn County are proving they’re not just ready for the future – they’re Beyond Ready. During National 4-H Week, celebrated Oct. 4–10, 2026, local clubs will share how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change.

As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers 6 million young people nationwide with hands-on learning experiences through clubs, camps, school programs, and community events. Through the Beyond Ready initiative, 4-H will help prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030. 4-H provides opportunities for youth to develop public speaking skills, lead community service projects, practice financial literacy, raise livestock, compete in state and national contests from Food Cook Off to Livestock Judging, showing cats and dogs to horses. 

“4-H is an opportunity to empower youth to discover and pursue their passions while encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones. It is incredibly rewarding to watch those passions grow into lifelong skills, confidence, leadership, and even future careers. That is the power of 4-H—helping young people discover their potential and giving them the courage and skills to pursue it,”  Big Horn County 4-H Educator, Gretchen (Gretty) Gasvoda-Kelso said in a press release. 

Big Horn County 4-H is built on a strong team of dedicated volunteers, mentors, and educators who work together to provide hands-on learning experiences that help youth learn by doing.

From raising livestock and growing gardens to cooking, baking, crafting, and sewing, 4-H members have opportunities to discover their interests, build confidence, and proudly showcase their accomplishments at the county fair. Beyond individual projects, youth also learn the importance of giving back to their communities—whether organizing food drives to support local families or donating fresh produce through the Junior Master Gardener “Grow a Little Extra” program.

Through every project, challenge, and opportunity to serve, Big Horn County 4-H youth are developing valuable life skills such as teamwork, resilience, responsibility, leadership, and communication—skills that will serve them in their future careers, their communities, and throughout their lives.

“National 4-H Week is a powerful reminder that young people are already leading in extraordinary ways,” said Jill Bramble, President & CEO of National 4-H Council. “Through 4-H, youth discover their strengths, build lifelong career and life skills, and create opportunities for real change in their communities. They aren’t waiting for tomorrow — they are stepping up today and are Beyond Ready.”

During National 4-H Week, 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters will wear green, participate in community service projects, and share their stories on social media using #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek. 

To learn more about local 4-H programs or get involved, contact Gretty Gasvoda-Kelso at 307-568-4160 or 307-272-0576.