4-H: From Then to Now
The Impacts of 4-H and Why You Should Get Involved
Introduction
Have you or your kids ever wanted to be a part of an organization that provides hands-on, educational experiences that will help youth become productive citizens? If so, 4-H is the place for you! 4-H has been around for more than 100 years, creating inclusive and safe learning environments for all who come. While 4-H is a national organization, each state and county has its own clubs, leaders, and volunteers that make it so special. Sarasota, in particular, is unique when it comes to its programs, projects, and people it encompasses.
The Beginnings of 4-H
Each state’s and county’s extension program delivers 4-H. Extension is a partnership between a university and local communities. The goal is to provide educational programs to the public on various topics. In 1909, Florida 4-H began as a movement to engage youth in various activities, primarily in agricultural environments. There were two original projects you could participate in at the beginning of 4-H’s founding: tomato clubs for girls and corn clubs for boys. The idea was that extension partnerships would help share new farming technologies with kids in communities, helping them learn new techniques. This, in turn, would let adults learn from those kids. Since then, 4-H has hundreds of projects, around 50 of which you can choose from in Florida. It has expanded into more than just learning about agriculture. Today, you can learn about STEM, public speaking, nutrition, and so much more.
Benefits of 4-H
‘I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger services, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world’. At every 4-H meeting, members say this pledge, which sums up what the organization is about and what the youth involved accomplish. 4-H is all about getting youth excited about different topics and targeting life skills such as self-motivation, goal setting, and conflict resolution. There are also major initiatives that the organization focuses on for all who participate. These initiatives include healthy living, science, citizenship, and leadership. In Sarasota in particular, environmental stewardship is also a key component. A 2015 study showed that 4-H youth are 4x more likely to give back to their community, 2x more likely to be civically active, and 2x more likely to participate in science programs during out-of-school time. These statistics show the many benefits of being involved in 4-H.
4-H in Florida
The clubs and programs directly reflect how participants accomplish the aforementioned skills and initiatives. In Florida, the LIFE (Learning in Florida’s Environment) program works with 4th and 5th-grade students taking field trips throughout the school year to visit different habitats, doing hands-on science in the environment. Radish growing is another unique opportunity for 3rd-grade students. They learn about the growing process, where their food comes from, and how to keep a record of the radishes. Kids in Florida not only get to experience school enrichment through 4-H, but can also use their time outside of school to join a club and work on different projects. Along with Camp Cloverleaf, where youth develop outdoor skills like fishing and archery, 4-H provides something for each kid where they have the opportunity to grow in their lives.
Conclusion
As time goes on, 4-H will hopefully continue to expand and serve more and more youth. With a growing number of projects to get involved in, every kid can find their spark through this great organization. From animal sciences to photography to environmental education, all youth will be able to find what they are passionate about. Getting kids to follow their passions will help grow their skills and help them become leaders in different aspects of their lives. If you would like to get involved in 4-H, check out this link here.
0
