Ever give a chicken a bubble bath? Well, 4H member Riley Ragusin can show you how. She’s an old pro after preparing her roaster for showing at the October 2015 Calhoun County Fair.

Head, Hearts, Hands and Health …4H Is Still Here

Did you know that 4H is alive and well in our community and throughout the world? If young people are our future, and there are more than one billion youth between 12 and 24 years old; then 4H is actively working to make our future brighter. 4H is the largest positive youth mentoring organization in the US.

The youth development program is a project of the Cooperative Extension System and the USDA, and is responding to challenges and changes across our world every day. Originally reaching the farmers of tomorrow, today they are mentoring leaders and future change makers across all areas. They are partners with schools, county groups, universities and youth programs to reach out with clubs, camps, programs and education. 4H reaches more than 7 million youth in more than 50 countries with the majority in the US, and more than half are girls and young women. 3007 counties have active 4H clubs offering learning opportunities for youth where they live and work, in both urban and rural neighborhoods, schoolyards and farming communities.

Networks of more than 600,000 volunteers, 3500 employed professionals and 25 million registered alumni make it a force that shapes our youth and our country. The results are undeniable. Research has proven 4H members excel beyond peers in measurable and meaningful ways including community service, civic activity, healthy choices, participation in higher level education programs such as science, engineering and technology; and school success.4H’ers engage in hands on, experiential learning activities and programs, and are encouraged to explore their place in the world around them. They set goals, work collaboratively, take leadership risks and learn to stand up for themselves and their communities.

Distinguished alumni of 4H programs have gone on to become leaders in widely varied professions and positions, but often credit 4H with helping them evolve into their best selves. People like Dandy Don Meredith of the Dallas Cowboys, Robert Delano, President of American Farm Bureau; and James Elsessor, CFO of Ralston Purina credit 4H as key to their self assurance and accomplishments.

Local youth have done some great work with 4H this year. Turkeys, roasters and goats were raised to show in the county fair. Community volunteer efforts go on behind the scenes all year long. We have some great kids involved in this amazing organization right here in our own backyard.

In an effort to be more informed and supportive of our local 4H youth, I invited Thomas Hawes to write about his POC 4H Club experience. Above is his contribution.