4-H Cloverbuds gain momentum in 2018-2019

Published: 2019
By Julianne Snedigar

It's exciting to report that Blaine County 4-H saw a large increase in 4-H Cloverbud participation. Cloverbuds are 4-H members aged 5-7. Youth in this program only enroll in this project and all activities are non-competitive. The Cloverbud program is designed to introduce youth to many different 4-H areas to help them decide what they would like to participate in when they are old enough to be full 4-H members. Monthly workshops were taught in two locations. Blaine County Ag & 4-H MSU Extension Agent Juli Snedigar taught a Cloverbud workshop in Chinook and Blaine County 4-H Leader and 4-H Alumni, Shannon Van Voast, taught a Cloverbud workshop in Turner. Cloverbuds participated in many science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), hands-on activities, learning about insects, objects that sink or float, leaves, birds; creating a habitat; growing a garden; going on a nature walk; building paper airplanes; playing tic-tac-toe; weaving; and making balloon rockets. Participation by Cloverbud-aged members increased by 35%. In addition, youth who are now too old for Cloverbuds are moving on to regular membership with 100% of those eligible youth now enrolling for the next 4-H year.