Prairie County 4-H provides members opportunities to learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills

Published: 2022
By Sharla Sackman

In 4-H we are intentional about providing youth opportunities to gain communication, leadership and teamwork skills to enable them to become contributing citizens. Volunteer leaders and 4-H teen leaders were engaged to lead project workshops with the county agent. Sixty percent of Prairie County 4-H members over the age of 14 participated in leadership training or served in county-wide leadership roles during the 4-H year by coordinating county events and teaching at project workshops. The Prairie County 4-H program provides educational opportunities in a wide variety of 4-H project areas. Eighty-six percent of 4-H members participated in at least one project workshop during the 4-H year. Projects and skills highlighted were Cloverbuds, leathercraft, horsemanship, sewing, visual arts, livestock, entomology, foods, photography, and dog. 4-H members demonstrated skills of competence and confidence in these project areas during the 4-H interview judging process at All Events Day and the Prairie County Fair. Each year, 4-H members look forward to participating in regional and statewide 4-H activities. Forty-three percent of Prairie County 4-H members took part in these events: Southeastern Montana 4-H Camp and Junior High Youth 'Oreo' trip, Eastern Montana Regional Small Animal Judging, Champion of Champions beef and showmanship contests, and Montana State 4-H Congress. These experiences provide an opportunity for 4-H members to network with others, gain communication skills, and take on leadership roles outside of the county.