By Andi Anderson
The Iowa 4-H Youth Development program highlighted the communication talents of hundreds of young participants during the 2026 Iowa State Fair. Nearly 725 youth from 93 counties took part in 642 communication events held throughout the fair, demonstrating their abilities in public speaking, presentations, leadership, creativity, and audience engagement.
The communications program provides young people with opportunities to strengthen written, verbal, and visual communication skills while improving confidence and self-expression. Participants competed in educational presentations, working exhibits, Share-the-Fun performances, extemporaneous speaking, and communications poster categories.
According to post-event evaluations, the program continues to deliver meaningful results. More than 97% of participants said the events helped them organize and present ideas effectively, while 98.1% agreed that communication skills improve through practice and feedback. In addition, 86.6% reported gaining a better understanding of their communication strengths and areas for improvement.
Gail Castillo, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Exhibits Building superintendent, emphasized the long-term value of these experiences.
"When people reflect on the skills they gained through 4-H that continue to benefit them throughout life, communication consistently rises to the top of the list," said Gail Castillo, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Exhibits Building superintendent. "The Iowa 4-H Communication Events Program offers young people a state-level opportunity to practice and demonstrate skills valued by employers, educators and communities. Through these experiences, youth learn to organize ideas, communicate effectively and connect with others, preparing them for their next step in life."
Educational presentations attracted 275 participants from grades 5 through 12. Youth delivered presentations on a wide range of topics, including science, agriculture, health, government, history, and space exploration. Participants learned how to organize information, explain complex concepts, and engage audiences through effective storytelling and visual aids.
Working exhibits featured 188 participants who taught visitors through hands-on learning experiences. Topics ranged from agriculture and plant care to crafts and food products. These exhibits helped youth develop interpersonal communication skills and adapt their teaching methods for different audiences. Participants also gained experience creating welcoming and inclusive learning environments.
The Share-the-Fun category showcased the creativity and talents of 150 young performers. Participants presented skits, music, speeches, comedy acts, dance routines, poetry, and other forms of entertainment. The event encouraged self-expression while helping youth build confidence performing before large audiences.
Another important category was extemporaneous speaking, where 54 high school participants prepared and delivered speeches on short notice. The competition challenged youth to think critically, organize ideas quickly, and communicate effectively under pressure. Participants noted that the experience improved their adaptability, confidence, and problem-solving abilities.
Communication posters also played a key role in the program. A total of 122 posters were displayed throughout the fair, allowing youth to creatively communicate messages about 4-H, leadership, community involvement, and the future of agriculture and rural communities.
Throughout the event, participants frequently identified confidence, organization, public speaking, critical thinking, adaptability, and leadership as valuable skills gained through their experiences. Many shared that the communication events helped prepare them for school presentations, future careers, interviews, and community leadership opportunities.
One participant reflected, "Presenting and talking to audiences is a vital life skill. It is good to engage your audience in your presentation as well as in real-life situations." Another shared that communication events helped them "organize ideas in a way that made sense to other people, not just me."
Castillo highlighted the importance of communication in every stage of life.
"Communication is one of the few skills that touches every part of a young person's future," said Castillo. "Whether a 4-H member is interviewing for a job, leading a team, presenting in a classroom or advocating for an idea, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently matters. Communication events give youth opportunities to practice those skills now so they're prepared to succeed wherever life takes them."
The strong participation and positive outcomes at the Iowa State Fair demonstrate how Iowa 4-H continues to equip young people with essential communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. These experiences help youth become confident communicators and prepare them for success in education, careers, and community life.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska
Categories: Iowa, General