Washtenaw County 4-H Program Open House

Photo credit: Washtenaw County 4-H.

submitted by Jenny Speyer, 4-H Program Instructor, Washtenaw County

Millions of young people across the country will be celebrating National 4-H Week, an annual celebration of 4-H during the first full week of October. This year’s 4-H Week theme is Beyond Ready. 4-H has helped millions of youth pave a path forward. We’re ready to inspire millions more to do the same. Through programs that are proven to work, we’re building a generation that’s beyond ready.

Locally, the Washtenaw County 4-H office is hosting an open house on October 6 from 2 to 5 pm at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds for families interested in learning more about 4-H. Families can stop by the open house anytime between 2 and 5pm to talk with 4-H club leaders and members, do hands-on interactive activities, and learn about all the opportunities in 4-H in Washtenaw County and beyond. This is a great opportunity to meet many of our club leaders and hear about what brings youth back to 4-H year after year.

Michigan 4-H is open to youth ages 5–19 to participate through in-school and out-of-school learning opportunities in project areas like photography, crafts, archery, livestock, dairy, and small animals. 4-H certainly has a strong agricultural tradition, but 4-H involvement ultimately focuses on the experiential learning model, positive youth development, and youth leadership. Michigan 4-H is free to enroll and 4-H members can sign up nearly anytime, though enrolling at this time of year will ensure a full calendar of opportunities for your child.

In Washtenaw County, more than 500 4-H youth and over 200 volunteers from the community are involved in 4-H. There are currently about 30 4-H clubs located throughout Washtenaw County with more starting each year. Most youth in the county participate in a 4-H club that meets on a monthly basis, but we also have youth who participate in short-term programs like our 4-H Junior Master Gardener Program at the Farm at Trinity Health and onetime events like our 4-H Robotics Workshop, Livestock and Horse Clinics, and Project Galore, an introduction to various project areas in 4-H. 4-H teen members also have the opportunity to participate in statewide events that build leadership skills and prepare them for future careers like 4-H Exploration Days, 4-H Capitol Experience, and World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute.

Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. A 10-year longitudinal study conducted by Tufts University found that 4-H youth are:

• Four times more likely to contribute to their communities,

• Two times more likely to be civically active,

• Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors,

• Two times more likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs in the out-of-school time,

• Three times more likely to take part in science programs as a female in grade 12.

To sign up or learn more about 4-H, contact the Washtenaw County MSU Extension and 4-H office at (734) 997-1678, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/washtenaw/washtenaw_county_4_h/ or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WashtenawCounty4H

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.