CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS: Van Buren County 4-H

Iowa 4-H Members Recognized for Outstanding Work in Project Areas

AMES - Fifty Iowa 4-H members, including Josiah Westercamp in Van Buren County, were recognized for their 2019 state 4-H project awards at the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference during the closing ceremony held Thursday, June 27 on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

A project area is a broad topic that 4-H members can explore on their own or with the mentorship of a 4-H leader or other caring adult. Project area award applicants are asked to explain how they've demonstrated exemplary leadership, communication and civic engagement through their exploration of a project area over a number of years.

Westercamp, a member of the Jolly Trio 4-H Club, earned a project award in Communication.

Westercamp is the son of Steven and Christine Westercamp. A seven-year member of the Jolly Trio 4-H Club, he has participated in project areas including communications, clothing, horticulture, rabbit, and swine. He has been treasurer, historian, and reporter for his club. He is home-schooled and plays football for the Van Buren Warriors.

Westercamp and each award recipient was granted a $100 award from Glen and Mary Jo Mente of Ames and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

'This recognition is a great honor and testament to the dedication these young people have invested in mastering skills in a specific project area,” said Bonnie Dalager, 4-H youth program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

'Each year, youth from around the state share their experience in the project area over time through a resume and written application, which is judged by volunteers from related industries around the state,” said Dalager. 'The recognition process provides additional skill development opportunities that help young people prepare for future college or career processes such as submitting an application or writing a resume.”

Applications for next years' state 4-H project area awards will open in late fall. All Iowa 4-H members who are in grades 9-12 can apply for up to two project area awards per year, with a maximum of one award per applicant.

For more information on the Iowa 4-H Recognition opportunities, contact Bonnie Dalager at bdalager@iastate.edu.

4-H is the youth development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It allow members learning opportunities to strengthen their skills and knowledge in topics that interest them.

For information about 4-H, call the ISU Extension office in Van Buren County at 319-293-3039 or in Jefferson County at 641-472-4166.