This post is compensated as part of my ongoing collaboration with Illinois Farm Families; as always, all opinions are my own.
Since getting involved with Illinois Farm Families a number of years ago, I’ve had the great fortune to meet many awesome farmers, both men and women (and their equally awesome kids). One thing that comes up over and over when talking to them about experiences that have shaped their lives has been the 4-H program. 4-H is a voluntary, informal education program for boys and girls from third grade to age 18 (there’s also a program for younger kids named Cloverbuds).
Growing up, I heard about 4-H in this vague sort of way – knowing it only as a program for rural kids to raise animals and show them at fairs. I was surprised to learn recently that 4-H is not just for kids living in rural areas – we actually have a 4-H program right here in the suburbs! I had a chance to chat with Deanna Roby, who works for the University of Illinois Extension program with 4-H Youth Development. I asked what activities 4-H is involved with here in the ‘burbs (since I don’t know many people raising cattle around these parts):
“In the tri-county area (DuPage, Kane & Kendall counties), we involve youth in many different ways – community 4-H clubs, Special Interest (SPIN) groups, workshops, day camps, and one-time events, all running the gamut from long-term, sustained experiences to short-term ones. We have focused on SET (science, engineering, and technology) programs over the last couple of years. Robotics has been a huge interest in our area; however, we offer a wide variety of interests – embryology, horticulture, entomology, photography, visual arts, food and nutrition, beekeeping, and lots of others.”
I had NO idea that 4-H was involved in so many areas, but knowing what I do now about the way technology is integrated into farming it makes sense that 4-H has evolved in this way! How is one program able to offer such a wide variety of experiences? Their secret is in their volunteers. Deanna says that volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program, and that the opportunities truly would not exist without them. Of course, volunteers are screened before they work with the children – and many are actually 4-H alumni. With so many people who seem to carry a deep love of 4-H throughout their lives, I started to wonder if it might be something my kids would want to be involved with. Unfortunately we do not have an agriculture background – but is that required? I asked Deanna:
“Our roots may be in agriculture and rural areas, but we have branched out to include suburban and urban audiences. Youth do not have to have an agriculture background, come from a family that farms, or live on a farm to participate in 4-H. That’s probably the biggest misnomer we hear about 4-H! Youth just have to have a desire to learn, work together, and have fun to participate.”
Awesome! I know many parents struggle to find wholesome activities that will get their kids off the couch and engage their brains, and it sounds like 4-H would definitely fit that bill. It’s great to hear that kids who have never even been on a farm can still experience the lifelong benefits of the 4-H program that has touched so many farmers’ lives.
For my suburban friends who want to learn more about 4-H in our area, visit the University of Illinois Extension page (covering DuPage, Kane & Kendall counties) here: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/
And if you live in one of those counties and have specific questions about how to get involved in your area, let me know and I can hook you up with someone who can help you get started!
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