The Impact of 4-H: To make the best better

"4‑H empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. It’s a research-based experience that includes a mentor, a hands-on project, and a meaningful leadership opportunity”

I have been involved in 4-H since I was in elementary school. My mom and aunts were in 4-H before me while my dad was always a volunteer for our local club. My children will one day be a part of 4-H. This organization is an amazing, FREE, opportunity to be involved in the community and gain valuable leadership experiences at a young age. 4-H has really helped to shape me into the kind of person and leader I am so let me tell you a little bit about the program and the opportunities it has given me.

What Do the 4-H’s Stand For: Head, Heart, Hands, Health

• These H’s are the core values behind the organization. Head reminds 4-Hers to embrace clear thinking and challenges them to use critical thinking skills in their lives. Heart inspires them to be loyal, to themselves and others. Hands motivates 4-Hers to get involved in service and explains the importance of giving back. Health leads members to understand how important healthy living is for not only themselves but for their club, community, and globally.

Leadership: America’s Largest Youth Development Organization

• There are not many organizations where children can be involved from grade school all the way until 21. The longevity of 4-H is part of why the leadership component is so successful. 4-H gives opportunities to every child to be involved in a leadership role or committee while also providing adult mentors so that 4-Hers can discover their potential and develop skills needed for leadership like problem solving, integrity, and team building to name a few.

4-H programming: “Kids Learn Best By Doing”

• One part of 4-H that allows its members to grow and develop is it’s programming. Each year 4-Hers must complete a project book. It is the member’s choice which project they would like to pursue. Project subjects range from STEM, Healthy Living, Entrepreneurship, Civic Engagement, Agriculture, and everything in between. There is truly an option to meet everyone's needs and interests

Some of my personal experiences

• I held leadership positions from beginning to end. I started out being the “Song Leader” for my club and leading the 4-H pledge, Pledge of Allegiance, and our state 4-H song at each meeting. I was on multiple committees to plan events like our act for the 4-H Talent Show, planning our fair exhibits, and local community service projects. I participated as a Health Officer bringing educational and fun activities to teach my fellow club members about our health. I even served as Vice President and President. You can find leadership opportunities small and large in 4-H.

• My 4-H projects were always raising livestock. I raised goats and lambs growing up. I learned a lot of responsibility by completing my project books, feeding and watering my animals each day, and preparing them to be ready for the show at the county fair. (Stay tuned for a blog post all about raising livestock) Projects teach you to start what you finish, to be dedicated to a specific thing you’ve chosen to do, and to have time management.

4-H has come up in every single interview I have ever had. From part time jobs where they had questions about my work ethic, to interviewing for my full ride scholarship for my undergraduate degree, to interviewing and running for positions in my sorority, to my most important interview yet for pharmacy school. The 4-H mentality is ingrained in who I am. There isn’t a time when I have a leadership role that I don’t fall back on the skills 4-H equipped me with or that I don’t reflect on the 4 H’s themselves. There is rarely a time when I make decisions that I don’t think “how do I make the best better”

For more information about 4-H or how to find a club near you visit: https://4-h.org/