Volunteers
4-H volunteers are valued partners working with youth!
The process to become a Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H Registered volunteer will consist of three-steps:
- Effective December 1, 2018, all potential 4-H volunteers must complete the MSU-ES approved TrueScreen background check. See the TrueScreen instructions here.
- Must fill out a Volunteer Application Packet.
- Must complete the Mandatory Online Training, Minors on Campus: Working with Underage Program Participants and Campers (Closed Captioned) and must complete the Minor Protection Policy Acknowledgment Form.
- Must be a registered 4-H Volunteer 30 days prior to any 4-H activity/event.
(Special Note: Only MSU-ES approved TrueScreen Background Checks will be accepted. This is an MSU policy and as an MSU Unit, we will comply.)
Volunteers In 4-H Youth Development Programs:
- Work in partnership (adults and young people) to lead 4-H clubs, activities, and events
- Lead workshops to share knowledge with young people
- Help plan and conduct events
- Chaperone field trips and leadership conferences
- Recruit other volunteers
- Serve in management roles.
- Contribute through promoting and supporting 4-H.
Volunteering is a privilege.
All that’s needed is a desire to provide a quality educational program for 4-H'ers. Previous 4-H youth development experience is not necessary. For more information, contact the youth development staff in your local Mississippi State University Extension Service office.
The Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Annual Conference
The Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association’s (MVLA) Annual Leadership Conference will be held March 15–16, 2024 in the Bost Extension Conference Center. The Leadership Conference will begin with registration at 3:00 p.m. Friday, and conclude Saturday by 4:00 p.m.
The MVLA Leadership Conference provides an excellent opportunity for 4-H Volunteers, Extension faculty and friends of 4-H to participate in outstanding experiential learning activities, workshops, great fellowship, and enlightening entertainment. This year’s theme is "4-H Volunteers Growing Our Youth”. We encourage Extension Agents and 4-H Volunteer Leaders and potential Volunteer Leaders to attend this exciting, fun-filled learning event.
Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent for more information and to register. Attendees must register through their local Extension office.
Publications
Success Stories
Extension was a key part of Bobbie Seal’s life—over the years in her native Neshoba County, she was a client, volunteer, and employee of the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
When her husband moved to Columbus in 2006 to research Civil War history for his next book, Melissa Beck was happy to move, too, and explore, learn, and connect with her new neighbors in Lowndes County. An avid kayaker, Beck loves being on the water, enjoying nature and racing.
Ray Henderson’s love for the outdoors began in his youth with learning by doing in 4-H Forestry. He won the State 4-H Congress competition, went to nationals, and placed fifth. After he aged out of the youth development program, he pursued a career with the U.S. Forest Service, and he volunteered in the 1990s as a coach for a few 4-H Forestry teams in Wayne and Greene Counties.