4-H: The Present and the Future

Published: 2020
By Jane Wolery

From current membership to alumni, the 4-H program has a far-reaching impact on our communities. Numerous graduates have credited 4-H with their successful entry into adulthood and their chosen career. Youth explore a variety of projects and skills that help them focus on career paths. One former 4-H member credits his photography project with his current profession. Another credits 4-H with his early interest and training in range management and his ability to return to the area as an agronomist. A doctoral student shared that her work with NASA and presentations at national meetings have been directly impacted by 4-H training. Many Teton County agriculture producers got their early start in agricultural pursuits through 4-H. MSU Extension in Teton County serves youth through outreach education, in addition to those enrolled in 4-H. Extension educators have taught lessons for youth through in-school and afterschool programs. Topics have ranged from natural resources and agriculture education to nutrition and wellness. Notable programs have included YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health), Y.E.S. (Youth Experiences in Science), youth financial education K-12, hand washing and disease reduction. The 4-H program teaches skills that add to the fiber of our rural communities. While the entire impact of 4-H may never be truly calculated, it is expressed in the hearts, heads, hands and health of our youth and our communities. 2020 • 193 youth members • 77 volunteers • 262 youth reached through outreach education • 25 youth in leadership track • 63 youth in livestock projects • Notable programs include shooting sports, Coding for kids and Math Models. Participants reported: "My kids gained so many skills -- from raising and caring for animals to record keeping to leadership. I love that 4-H is an activity that involves the entire family. Our family has so many amazing memories of our years in 4-H! I think that 4-H makes such a difference in all communities by helping develop compassionate, skilled, and service-minded people. The contributions of 4-Hers to their communities are so many -- community service activities such as food drives and highway cleanups are truly just the tip of the iceberg." -Tammy Townsend, leader/volunteer since 1999 "As an adult I have watched the 4-H program dramatically influence each of my four kids. They have all gained valuable skills in public speaking, leadership, writing, keeping records, and communication in general. They have a background of serving their community, donating to worthy causes, mentoring others and they have the confidence and ability to positively change the world they live in. Their activities and involvement in 4-H was largely how each of them paid for college through scholarships. There is no way to place a value on all the ways that 4-H has positively impacted my life." -Beth Ann Hodgskiss, volunteer/leader since 1999