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Sanders County

Florida 4-Hers Visit Sanders County

Published: 2019
By Juli Thurston
In July 2019, Sanders County hosted their second 4-H interstate exchange with 4 youth and 2 adults from Duval County, FL (the city of Jacksonville). An interstate exchange program is an exciting opportunity for youth and adults to experience the geography, culture and heritage of a local community of 4-H youth and leaders with a common 4-H identity yet potentially different perspectives. Participants learn how states are similar but also how they are different, such as weather conditions, geography, local industry, and history of each state. For example, some states are better suited than others for agriculture and produce a large part of our nation’s food. Other sates boast beautiful beaches and provide places for recreation. For one week, youth learned about the Sanders County 4-H Program and the livelihoods of citizens throughout the county. Youth were guided through Ross Creek Cedars, drank huckleberry shakes in Trout Creek, visited the PPL Island Park, Fish Ladder, High Bridge, Old Jail Museum and went swimming and fishing at the Thompson Falls State Park. They visited the National Bison Range, Glacier National Park, ate pizza at Ripples in Plains, and rafted down the Clark Fork River. Local 4-H Ambassadors presented the ins and outs of the 4-H program in Sanders County. Youth were surprised at the many differences in programs between the states such as, MT 4-H has a market project carcass evaluation. Families learned to be a host, and created new and lasting friendships. Youth from Sanders County will be fundraising to travel to Duval County, FL in July of 2020.