First 4-H Day at Lincoln University Draws Missouri Students to Campus

About 40 middle and high school students, along with youth development leaders from across Missouri, recently gathered at Lincoln University of Missouri for the institution's inaugural 4-H Day.

The new program is designed to introduce young people to key topics such as agriculture, nutrition and the college experience, providing hands-on learning opportunities and a glimpse into university life.

Students traveled from Sikeston, Charleston, Hayti and St. Louis for the daylong event, which featured rotating workshops led by Lincoln faculty and staff. Topics ranged from aquaculture and specialty crops to nutrition and cooking demonstrations.

Dr. Jim Wetzel, a state aquaculture specialist, walked students through the process of raising fish in simulated ponds. Using large green tubs lined with mud, Wetzel demonstrated how he hatches fish, separates them by size to prevent predation and follows a four-week feeding schedule. Students examined zooplankton and phytoplankton under microscopes and learned how both serve as food for young fish. Wetzel also shared his work with freshwater prawns, crayfish and other aquatic species.

Nearby, Wetzel's son, Truman, offered a hands-on lesson with chickens, letting students feed and hold birds.

In another workshop space, Dr. Judith Mutamba, Lincoln's state specialist for human nutrition and health, cooked pumpkin leaves with onions and tomatoes to show how the plant can be eaten beyond its traditional use in pies. She explained how to pick tender leaves and prepare them, comparing their nutritional value with spinach. Mutamba noted that about 12% of Missouri households face food insecurity and said pumpkin leaves could serve as a healthy, affordable option.

"You can eat pumpkins just like you eat winter squash, as a vegetable," Mutamba told students.

Specialty Crops Program staff member Sage Jakobi helped with Mutamba's demonstration, assisting with chopping vegetables. The pumpkin leaves used came from Fisher Farm, a local grower known for selling carving pumpkins.

Dr. Jessica Epple-Farmer, professor of agriculture, led students through Lincoln's community garden, where they sampled mung beans and radishes and explored other crops. Another session in the University's commercial kitchen gave students the chance to make mini cherry pies from scratch.

The program closed with a visit to Lincoln's evening football matchup. Before kickoff, university leaders encouraged students to consider higher education.

Lincoln President John Moseley told students about the history behind the statues on the University's quad, which symbolize lifting others up while also accepting help. "We believe that an education not only changes the life of the student, but it changes the lives of generations after them," Moseley said.

President John Moseley speaks to 4-H students about the legacy of Lincoln University.

Dr. Johnnie Westbrook, newly appointed dean of Lincoln's College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences, also welcomed the group, noting the importance of collaboration among Lincoln's Cooperative Extension offices.

"I love to teach, whether it's 4-H programs or education in classes," said Felecia Anderson, a youth development leader from Sikeston who has worked in Lincoln's youth programs for 24 years.

Callie Newsom, youth development leader on the main campus, said her highlights included "getting all of the students to come down here, getting them exposed to different things we have to offer, seeing them try new things, and just in different elements."

The idea for 4-H Day came from Dr. Allison Young, associate extension administrator at Lincoln, who said she hopes the event will become an annual tradition.

For many participants, the event offered first-time experiences. Organizers reported 100% of students had never eaten pumpkin leaves, 60% had never learned about aquaculture and many had never stepped foot on a college campus or attended a college football game.

According to organizers, 75% of juniors and seniors in attendance expressed interest in enrolling at Lincoln after graduation.