For our family, 4-H has been an integral part of our homeschool. Let me tell you a little more about 4-H and it’s history, our family’s participation in 4-H and just a few of the benefits we’ve experienced through our involvement in 4-H.
A Few Details About 4-H
“National Reach, Local Programs
In 4‑H, kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps.
4‑H’s reach and depth are unmatched, reaching kids in every corner of America – from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. Our network of 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4‑H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to all 6 million 4‑H’ers, helping them grow into true leaders today and in life.”From 4-H.org
History of 4-H
During the late 1800’s, researchers had discovered that many adults in the farming community weren’t open to adopting new technologies; however they also found that young people were much more willing to adapt new ideas and technologies. The idea on “hands-on” education as a way to connect school students with country life.
In 1902, A.B. Graham began the first “club” in Clark County Ohio, although at that time it wasn’t called 4-H. Meanwhile in Minnesota, T.A. Erickson of Douglas County
started local agricultural after-school clubs and fairs that same year. These after school clubs would all be called 4-H by 1912. In 1910, Jessie Field Shambaugh created of the four leaf clover pin with an H on each leaf.
4-H was nationalized after the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA. Today “the Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 100 land-grant universities and more than 3,000 county offices across the nation.”
Sampling of Projects Our Children Have Participated In
The projects the kids have chosen thus far in their years of 4-H have been as varied as their individual personalities. From Dairy Goats to Swine, from Beef Cattle to Sheep, Meat Goats to Rabbits, Quilting to Electricity, Robotics to Cake Decorating, Water Bath Canning to Crochet, Pressure Canning to Exploring 4-H, Gardening to Horses, Arts and Crafts to Floriculture, Outdoor Adventures to Shooting Sports, Sportfishing to Wildlife, Wood Working to Computers and Programming and the list goes on.
The kids have been picking their new project areas for the upcoming 4-H year and some of the projects they’ve listed will be all new to them, while they will be learning more in some of their “old” project areas too.
To say that 4-H has enriched their lives is an understatement. They’ve been able to work with a wide variety of talented people who have poured time and talent into each of the kids and taught them so many great things in each of their project areas.
Additional Benefits of 4-H
The kids have participated in local, state and national contests and events. Including, Teen Conferences, Livestock Judging Contests and Clinics (at the local, state and national levels), State Shooting Sports Contests, and National Shooting Sports Contests. They’ve met kids near and far who share similar interests and have made lifelong friends.
Brock had the opportunity to represent Missouri at the National Western Stock Show in Denver as part of the Missouri Livestock Judging Team. This past year he made the Missouri Hunting and Outdoor Skills team and went on to be the 4th place individual (and part of the 1st place team) at the National Shooting Sports Championship in the Hunting and Outdoor Skills Competition.
Adisyn started her homemade goat milk soap business, Missouri MilkMaid as a direct result of her involvement in 4-H. Her first year in Dairy Goats she was trying to decide on a project to take to the county fair. I encouraged her to make goat milk soap with some of her milk. The rest is, well, history. She loves making and her artisan soaps with the milk from her very own Alpine dairy does. She has taken soap making to a beautiful artform (not to mention we LOVE to use her soap every. single. day.)
I have no doubt that the younger kids will go on to participate competitions and activities at the state and national level as they get older.
As a 4-H volunteer, I have had the beautiful opportunity to give back to the next generation of 4-H members. I am thankful that as a child I had the opportunity to participate in 4-H. I had some great mentors, many of whom are still active 4-H volunteers, ahem, these “few” years later.
If you are interested in seeing how 4-H might fit in the life of you or your children (even if you don’t homeschool) check with your local extension office to find out more information about local 4-H clubs.
Blessings,
Jennifer