4-H Focus: A life-changing program for youth

When you hear 4-H, you probably think agriculture and animals, but that is only a portion of what 4-H is. 4-H is a life-changing program where youth can work on life skills such as critical thinking, goal setting, problem-solving, learning to lead, and much more.

4-H'ers have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourses, and advocating for equity and inclusion for all. To practice these skills, they have many opportunities county, state, and even nationwide that they can take part in.

The most common way to work on their skills is by attending their monthly club meetings to give presentations on anything they are passionate about. The older 4-H'ers can help mentor the younger ones, and clubs help do service projects for their community. Another common thing 4-H'ers do is Static Projects which are judged at the county fair and can make it to the Iowa State Fair. 4-H has six project areas where youth can learn and grow in ag and natural resources, animals, creative arts, family consumer sciences, personal development, and STEM.

With opportunities at the county level, 4-H'ers can also experience state-level opportunities such as Iowa Legislative Day. 4-H'ers can learn about the life of a legislative page, hear from legislators, and explore the role a lobbyist plays in crafting legislation. Another great state-wide experience for 4-H'ers is National 4-H Conference, where they get to experience Civic Engagement in Washington D.C.

If you are interested in starting your child in 4-H, reach out to Grace Davidson at the Jefferson County Extension office or your local county office.