4-H - Head, Heart, Hands and Health

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Hi MyLot, I might not be online as much recently because it is county fair time and I like to go as much as I can! :-) So, while I'm on the topic of fairs - I thought I would write about 4-H. This is a youth development program - and while, at one time, it was mostly rural, "farm" kids, now kids who live anywhere can enjoy 4-H. I was a 4-H kid. Here's the basic idea : It's a club, where in you take at least one "project". There are many projects to take some of them include - *sewing *crochet *canning *baking *photography *shooting (hunting) sport *wood work *geology(rocks and minerals) and for kids who have livestock there are multiple groups for animals. (cattle, sheep, chicken, rabbit, etc...) You have a year to work on your project. The year culminates in the County fair and then the State fair, because by fair time you will have an item to show at the fair and a chance to win ribbons. You have an interview with the judges, and they examine your knowledge and how well you did on your project. Not everyone gets a ribbon. The first (lowest) ribbon that you can win is called white / third place, next is red for second place, after that is blue for first place, with the categories of Reserve Champion (pink) and Grand Champion (purple) on top of a blue ribbon - those are the ultimate best. If your project is an animal - you keep it at the fair and have a livestock show. If your project is an item (sewing, canning, photo, wood work.... etc) - you make an item that is entered in the fair. If your project is something difficult to bring to the fair (like shooting/hunting sports, technology, etc) you make a display with information After the fair you are required to fill out a small booklet that details what you learned. And the year starts over. There monthly meetings with demonstrations and shared meal. I think it's a great idea for kids to learn community skills. Have you heard of 4-H? Were you in it? What are the youth developemtn programs in your area? 4-H website: