I was recently asked what the best lesson I learned from 4-H.  After some thought, I felt I needed to share my response.

The best lesson I learned from 4-H is how to set goals and take ownership of my learning.

4-H is part of the fabric of my life. Looking back, it’s easy to see the strong, significant strands woven into my life during the time I spent in 4-H. While I have fond memories of showing my horses and public speaking, the most profound lesson 4-H instilled in me wasn’t about ribbons or rosettes. It was the power of goal setting and taking ownership of my learning.

Think about it. From the moment I decided to show my horse, master that public speaking presentation, or head out on an exchange trip, 4-H gently nudged me towards setting a target. What did “success” look like for me? What steps would I need to take to get there? This wasn’t about someone handing me a checklist; it was about me envisioning an outcome and charting my own course.

And that’s where the second part of the magic happened: ownership. There was no hiding behind someone else’s effort. If I didn’t get up on my horse and practice, I would not have continued learning the skills needed to be a successful equestrian. If my presentation fell flat, I had to reflect on what went wrong and how to improve. 4-H fostered a sense of personal responsibility that went far beyond simply completing a task. It was about my project, my learning, my success (and sometimes, my not-quite-success, which was a valuable lesson in itself!).

This early exposure to setting meaningful goals and taking the reins of my own education has been an invaluable asset throughout my life. I had to seek out what I wanted my goal to be and then manage the steps, to proactively find the solutions to any roadblocks that would arise, and to feel a deep sense of accountability for my progress – these are skills woven in by those 4-H experiences.

Beyond the individual projects, 4-H provided countless opportunities to problem-solve and flex those critical thinking muscles. Whether it was figuring out how to teach my horse to go over a bridge or how to keep a wound clean, we were constantly presented with real-world challenges that required us to think on our feet and work collaboratively.

My 4-H experience as a whole gave me the confidence to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and be a 4-H leader. The current chapter of my life is serving as the Hillsborough County 4-H agent.

Looking at my life now, as a productive and contributing adult (if I do say so myself!), I can confidently trace a direct line back to those foundational experiences in 4-H. It was about cultivating a mindset of proactive engagement, a belief in my ability to learn and overcome obstacles, and the empowering understanding that I am the driver of my own journey.

So, thank you, 4-H. You gave me more than just memories; you equipped me with the essential tools to navigate life’s challenges and pursue my goals and dreams with intention and ownership. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

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