Impact of COVID-19 on Missouri 4-H State Fair Participation and Implications for Youth Development Programs

Abstract

For University of Missouri Extension, facilitation of Missouri 4-H’s participation in the Missouri State Fair (MSF) during the COVID-19 era was a challenge and an opportunity for improvement. In a time when positive youth development experiences are more necessary than ever, Extension professionals must consider how to uphold the foundations of positive youth development and maintain a sense of program normalcy while ensuring new levels of safety and security. We describe lessons learned before, during, and after Missouri 4-H made the decision to open the MSF 4-H building in the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and issue a call for related action by others.