Dinner at the Vines raises nearly $90K for 4-H scholarships, activities
Oct. 12, 2026
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Annual Arkansas 4-H fundraiser was “best yet”
- Arkansas 4-H provided $144K in scholarships in 2026
- Donations included completion of a $25K endowment
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FERNDALE, Ark. — Arkansas 4-H scholarships and activities have nearly $90,000 in new funding — including a $10,000 endowment donation from former state Sen. Bruce Maloch — as part of the annual Dinner at the Vines.
“By every measure, the sixth annual Dinner at the Vines was our best yet. A full house, record-setting generosity, and a cause worthy of every bit of it,” said John Thomas, managing director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation. “Arkansas 4-H youth are the real winners of this event.
“We are especially grateful to Bruce Maloch, whose donation this year completed funding for his $25,000 endowment,” Thomas said.
“Bruce gets 4-H!” said Debbie Nistler, who leads the 4-H program for the Cooperative Extension Service. “He truly understands the impact 4-H has on the young people in Arkansas and is committed to helping our program be successful. We are grateful for his continued passion and support.”
In 2026, Arkansas 4-H provided $144,000 in scholarships, both for college and to enable members to attend camps and other in- and out-of-state activities, such as 4-H National Congress.
The dinner is hosted at the Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale, just west of Little Rock. The event featured both live and silent auctions and a garden reception before dinner was served lakeside. Maloch served as auctioneer for the live auction.
The auction item attracting the highest value bid was dinner for 20 with Tom and Judy Riley. The Rileys both worked for the Cooperative Extension Service, which operates the Arkansas 4-H youth development program. Judy Riley serves as treasurer on the Arkansas 4-H Foundation Board.
The Arkansas 4-H Foundation welcomes your donation. Learn more about the impact of the Arkansas 4-H program.
The Cooperative Extension Service is the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
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 UADA, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About UADA
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, UADA conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
UADA is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three university campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, UADA 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.
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Media Contact:
Nick Kordsmeier
nkordsme@uada.edu