Triumph Through Challenges - Fallon and Carter County 4-H Programs

Published: 2020
By Kodie Olsen

Adaptation The 4-H program in Fallon-Carter Counties has had to be very flexible and adapt to the new environment that we all find ourselves in. The 4-H Program in Carter and Fallon Counties have faced those challenges and have had some great success. MSU Extension staff, 4-H leaders, and 4-H members have embraced the use of technology to accomplish several workshops, quarterly council meetings, and networking with other counties. Growth The past three years, the MSU Extension staff and 4-H leaders have invested time into making sure that our communities understand what the 4-H Program is and what life skills youth, as well as adults, can gain from participating in the program. We are pleased to see the hard work has paid off. Carter County has seen an increase of five percent in its leaders and a twenty-two percent increase in enrollment. Fallon County has also seen a twelve percent increase in their enrollments. The Cloverbud program has proven to be a great asset to both counties as it prepares our future members for 4-H and highlights 4-H programs in a fun and interactive way. Networking This year has also brought many opportunities to network with other agencies to provide educational opportunities in our community. One of the more notable opportunities was the Youth Agriculture Symposium that was held in conjunction with the Little Beaver Conservation District and local Natural Resources Conservation Service. We were able to reach over 100 youth from six different counties with education on projects that are available through the 4-H program that can provide skills to help in their efforts of conserving our natural resources. Fallon-Carter Counties MSU Extension also worked with Austin Buzanowski, Ag-Pro Solutions, and Shaylynn Huelle, Spring Creek Supplies, to put on a livestock workshop covering topics that included: nutrition, developing a feeding plan, fitting, and showmanship. Leadership We have seen firsthand, and are proud to share, how the 4-H program provides many opportunities for youth to develop life skills and leadership, and the effects that those programs have on our local youth as they grow and moved into adulthood. This year Carter County saw a twenty-two percent increase in the ambassador program and Fallon County saw an amazing increase of fifty-two percent. The Ambassador program is vital to any 4-H program, as these members are the role models for our younger members. The 4-H Ambassadors practice leadership skills that have an amazing effect on all our members as well as our community. We are very lucky to have such competent youth in our community.