Washington County 4-H expands an already-big tent

WASHINGTON — Washington County started off 2024 with an impressive feat, when it was named the No. 1 county for 4-H enrollment in the state, surpassing all 98 others with a whopping 372 registered members.

Many 4-H’ers follow in their parents’ footsteps when they join. But to reach Washington County’s numbers, the program’s had to attract new people. Many of the newcomers say they’re drawn not to the flashy, grandstand-filling livestock events, but to a variety of other practical projects.

Dean and Nolan Rose are two such first-generation 4-H’ers. They got involved in Washington County Clover Kids and 4-H shortly before they started home-schooling in 2020. The boys are now involved in shooting sports, among other projects. The family sought out the Bows & Bullets Club in Washington County specifically for its specialty in the area.

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“I really enjoy shooting and I enjoy working on cars with my dad, so (the projects) just fit for me,” Dean said. Nolan added that he especially enjoyed helping with the group’s pancake breakfast.

The family was surprised by the sheer variety of projects offered in the county, having once thought the clubs required farmland and livestock to join.

“4-H allows us an opportunity to find a community that isn’t your typical ball sport area, and I think there’s something for everybody,” said Adam Rose, their father. “There’s an opportunity for everybody to find something that will benefit them, and maybe have them reach areas they hadn’t thought of.”

The club also offered a chance to socialize, an important element for the family that continues to home-school today.

It’s an appeal shared by many 4-H’ers, even those who do attend traditional school, like recent Clover Kid Graduate Celine Yudelmo.

“I really like making friends, you have more people to talk to,” she said. “When we go to 4-H, it’s like, a ton of new kids, and some of them are from school. And then you can learn about them, and then you can have more friends, apart from school.”

She and her older sister, Ymbrace, will both focus on sewing, photography and communication 4-H projects over the next year, as members of the Prairie Pride club.

Their mother, Benice Yudelmo, said she appreciated the life skills her kids had picked up through the program since they first learned of 4-H at an Iowa State Fair.

“These essential skills are things they could use when they grow up, so instead of only me teaching them, they can learn it from other people as well,” she said. “It can also teach them confidence, because they see the project that they did, so they are more confident, they are proud of themselves. It’s more than I expected.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com