National 4-H Week comes at a busy time of the year for many rural kids—school activities, church and chores—they all intersect.
As I reflect upon my time in 4-H, which was many years ago, I can relate to their schedules as 4-H remains an activity I was thankful my parents encouraged me to undertake. I was the only one of their four children to take in the experience. My brothers had other interests and one piece of advice our dad gave us was that he wanted us to pursue our own interests and stay committed to the one cause.
I still had to take care of business in the classroom, attend confirmation class and support our church, and yes, do the chores as directed by mom. Four-H had a special place in my heart even if it was only for a short time. Some of my favorite memories was club meetings, going to the country to see fellow 4-H’ers with their projects that included livestock, woodworking and cooking. Twice I was able to go Rock Springs Ranch for activities and meet 4-H’ers from other parts of the state.
Even as a pre-teen those influences remain ingrained in my appreciation of parents and Extension agents who were the bedrock of those organizations.
The organization throughout the High Plains remains a rock, too, as we celebrate this week, Oct. 7 to 11.
According to 4-H.org, “4‑H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4‑H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4‑H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4‑H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4‑H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.”
The 4-H pledge, which I join with today’s 4-H’ers and alumni, “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, and my country.”
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].
