Hot Spring County 4-H receives inaugural Community Organization of the Year award
May 8, 2026
By Rebekah Hall
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Malvern/Hot Spring County Chamber of Commerce honors Hot Spring County 4-H
- Community Organization of the Year award is new in 2026
- Hot Spring County 4-H recognized for legacy as historic, impactful youth program
(553 words)
Download photo of Hot Spring County 4-H at awards banquet
MALVERN, Ark. — The Hot Spring County 4-H program received the inaugural Community Organization of the Year award from the Malvern/Hot Spring County Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the organization’s integral role in youth development.
“The first winner of this award has a legacy as one of Hot Spring County’s most historic and impactful youth programs,” said Lance Howell, executive director of the Malvern/Hot Spring County Chamber of Commerce. “Each year, young participants are involved in a variety of service projects that benefit all areas of the county.”
Hot Spring County 4-H is part of the Arkansas 4-H program, which is the youth development organization of the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Howell highlighted the 4-H program’s involvement in the Junior Livestock Premium sale at the Hot Spring County Fair, the annual Arkansas Dairy Foods Contest and Rice is Nice Youth Cooking Contest.
“Not only do you see the individuals that make up our extension office out and about in the community on a regular basis, but you can also see the work they put in when you interact with the kids that are a part of the many organization chapters in the area,” Howell said. “4-H really stands out in their impact and involvement, how the kids are engaged with the program, and how the parents and families are also involved.”
Rachel Bearden, Hot Spring County Extension staff chair for the Division of Agriculture, said the county 4-H program has eight clubs, more than 100 active youth members and 20 adult leaders. The most popular 4-H projects in the county include animal science, foods and nutrition, and leadership, she said.
In 2025, Hot Spring County 4-H members contributed more than 3,700 volunteer hours in community service.
“This is an incredible honor for the Hot Spring County Extension program,” Bearden said. “The 4-H program has been leading the county in youth service projects for the last several years. 4-H volunteers can be seen at most major community events, not only in Malvern, but across the county as well. The Hot Spring County 4-H program is grateful to be recognized as the first organization to receive this award.”
Bearden said the 4-H program has collaborated with the City of Malvern and Hot Spring County on several projects and community events, including a community Back to School Bash, Main Street Trunk or Treat and Christmas on the Courthouse Square.
Hot Spring County 4-H members even served tables at the Chamber of Commerce’s awards banquet on April 30 — just one example of how the program’s coordinators are “teaching the next generation what it takes to succeed through community involvement and volunteerism,” Howell said.
“Participants in this program are introduced to healthy competition at the county, state and national levels, allowing them to sharpen their skills in communication, presentation and leadership, as well as other areas like cooking, farming and tending to animals,” Howell said.
“Program leaders work tirelessly on projects, events, competitions, education and awareness to teach the current and future generations the importance of not only agriculture, but of life — and the skills necessary to navigate it,” he said.
Follow Hot Spring County 4-H on Facebook or contact Rachel Bearden at rlbearden@uada.edu to learn more. Contact your local county extension office to learn more about 4-H programs in your area.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
# # #
Media Contact:
Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
501-671-2061