By Micaiah Price
Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the four components that hold together 4-H, and motivate each competitor. While this activity may just seem like a “country kid” activity, this organization impacts our society on a higher level. Within our schools, jobs, communities, and homes, 4-H finds a way to bring agriculture importance to the surface.
For sophomore Agnes Dukat, 4-H has been a big part of her life. She started competing in shows at the age of 6, and says that from then on, it has forever changed her life.
“4-H teaches you how to take care of an animal, but it also gives you friends along the way; most of my friends are 4-H kids,” Dukat said.
On the other hand, for sophomore Kyle Dalton, 4-H is more of a learning experience than a social hangout.
“This organization has helped me discover what it means to be a leader, and it’s helped me become a very teachable person,” said Dalton.
Dalton has been a part of 4-H for 7 years while showing fainting goats, arts and crafts, and switching between Sarpy County and Cass County.
While this activity might just seem all serious, there are a lot of fun components to 4-H. Students get to explore outside their comfort zone whether the activity is showing a pig, showing a cat, or baking a pastry. With the help of 4-H extension workers, every individual has the opportunity to grow in new fields through club meetings, community service projects, camps, and workshops.
For freshman Malia Staben, community service has always been a big part of her life. With several family members and family friends who work in hands-on fields, Staben has been able to support them through her 4-H club, the Hamma Lamma Slammers.
“For community service, we make tie blankets, and we either give them to people in the hospital, the care center, or at donation centers. We also clean up the road by the fairgrounds for the Keep Cass County Beautiful Foundation. Then, in the winter, we make cookies for Christmas and give them out to firefighters or courthouse workers,” Staben said.
While 4-H may seem only applicable for farmers or agricultural leaders, 4-H can be brought into many different situations. For example, school is a big market place for 4-H students. Many of them participate in Ag classes, like Dukat and Staben, who co-op with Elmwood Murdock.
For other students, like juniors Taylor Staben and Lilly Bax, 4-H plays out through their friend groups at school, their council meetings for the 4-H board, and how they spend their free time.
Although this showing-and-judging process might seem overwhelming to most, it’s an experience that every 4-Her would recommend.
“I think you should definitely do it because it’s a great way to make new friends and learn new skills. If you and your family are all doing it together, it might even bring you guys closer together,” Dalton said.
“If you want to get involved, just find a 4-H kid. They aren’t hard to find and they will always help to point you in the right direction,” said Dukat.