“Growing up, Sundays were the day for Bizy Beavers 4-H club meetings, and every summer was prep season for the Saline County and Missouri State fairs, said Kaleigh Summers,” alumni relations and event coordinator for the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
As a third-generation 4-H’er from a Century Farm family, Kaleigh grew up surrounded by relatives and mentors who helped her forge a deep connection to Missouri agriculture and rural communities.

Now she brings that know-how to MU’s presence at this year’s Missouri State Fair, Aug. 10 through 20 in Sedalia. As building and event coordinator for Mizzou Central, Kaleigh is helping to lead Mizzou’s effort to show the many ways it serves Missourians across the state.

A few of this year’s Mizzou Central highlights:
· One-on-one consultations with MU Extension experts in areas like animal science and gardening.
· Information booths with representatives from almost every unit on campus explaining projects, research and new initiatives.
· Health screenings and food demos.
· Guest appearances by Mizzou athletes, including those shadowing youths in the 4-H building and livestock barn as they show their animals.

Kaleigh says this project is especially meaningful to her, given her background.

Serving as Saline County Fair Queen two years in a row taught her the value of volunteerism. Teen Conference, State Congress and Collegiate 4-H national conferences helped her grow leadership skills and clarify career goals.

While getting her degree in agricultural education at MU, she worked for longtime 4-H youth associate Joyce Taylor, helping with State 4-H Congress and 4-H exchange program prep. Kaleigh also was the recipient of the Joyce and Dick Taylor 4-H Scholarship, established by Joyce Taylor and her husband, a longtime supporter of the MU School of Veterinary Medicine.

For several years after graduation, Kaleigh worked in Kansas City as a corporate conference and event planner. When both her mother and a mentor told her about the Mizzou position within days of each other, Kaleigh figured it was time to consider a move.

Kaleigh has been at Mizzou since December 2018.

Photo courtesy of University of Missouri Extension