Get involved with 4-H
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News from Lake County 4-H and MSU Extension Office
RONAN — Ever wondered what the 4-H youth program is and how can you get involved? If you live in the country, in town, on a farm, or in an apartment, 4-H has something to offer you. It is the youth education program of the Montana State University Extension cooperating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and our local county government. Leadership in 4-H is provided at the national, state and county levels by Extension faculty members with emphasis on involving parents and volunteer leaders.
Montana 4-H helps give kids the extra edge for success, teaching leadership, citizenship and other life skills. Using a variety of delivery methods such as clubs, project groups, activities and events, newsletters, travel, summer camps, enrichment programs, individual participation and the county fair, 4-H emphasizes education. Projects available to 4-H members are endless. A few of the most popular projects in Lake County are: Shooting Sports, Foods and Nutrition, Horse, Photography, Leadership, Sewing and Textiles, Beef Production, Dog, Visual Arts, Woodworking, Cat, and so many others.
A common question is what do the four Hs stand for? They are Head, Heart, Hands and Health. These represent the ways 4-H develops life skills.
Head: Learning to think, make decisions, gain valuable insights and knowledge.
Heart: Being concerned with the welfare of others, accepting responsibilities of citizenship in our local and global communities, determining values and attitudes by which to live.
Hands: Learning new skills, improving skills already developed, instilling pride in work, and respect for work accomplished.
Health: Practicing healthful living, protecting the wellbeing of self and others, making constructive use of leisure time.
To be a 4-H member a youth must be 8 years old on Oct. 1 of the 4-H year which runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Any youth who is 5 years old on Oct. 1 is able to be a Cloverbud. Cloverbud projects are the only projects available to this age group.
Participation in Lake County 4-H and its programs is open to all interested youth regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex or handicap. Adults 21 years old and over can get involved as 4-H leaders using their talents to benefit the system in various ways.
Contact the MSU Lake County Extension office, 300 3rd Ave, Ronan at 406-676- 4271 or email jstivers@montana. edu. 4-H — it’s more than you imagined.
