4-H Clubs and Projects Emphasize Learning by Doing

Youth ages 5–19 can become 4-H members by joining one or more 4-H clubs or becoming an independent member who works on projects individually. Some clubs complete several projects a year and some focus on one particular project area.

The Checkmates chess club sponsored their first statewide tournaments this year.

4-H has more than 150 project areas available, including: bicycles, chess, child development, clothing, computers, electricity, entomology, flowers/gardening, foods, home environment, horses, household pets, livestock (beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, llamas), photography, rocketry, small engines and woodworking.

In addition to teaching practical skills, 4-H develops life skills such as thinking critically, solving problems, respecting self and communicating.

Youth enjoy 4-H because they choose which projects they participate in and they receive personalized attention from their leaders and parents while working on projects. These adult/child mentoring relationships are crucial to the positive learning experiences youth gain in 4-H. Youth also have fun in 4-H and develop new friends.

In 2003, Lancaster County had 99 active 4-H clubs. Independent membership was up 23 percent.

Youth interested in joining 4-H can contact Tracy Kulm at 441-7180 or visit the Web site at lancaster.unl.edu/4h.

Sheri Ramirez and Shirley Condon are co-leaders. Meetings follow an agenda of old and new business, announcements, the evening’s activity, treats provided by a family and scheduling the next meeting date. Often 4-H’ers bring their pets to show.

Meeting activities range from guest speakers to community service projects. Past speakers have included a chinchilla breeder, a graduate student from Wesleyan with rats from the Rat Olympics, a researcher who studies bees (he brought a box of bumblebees!), a specialty pet food manufacturer and representatives from animal rescue organizations. One meeting was held at a pet store where club members were given a tour and tips on animal care.

This year’s community service projects included organizing the club’s annual petting zoo at the Lincoln Children’s Museum (right), staffing a game booth at the Kiwanis Karnival and decorating a tree at the Heritage League’s “Holiday of Trees.”

Club members also brought pets and answered questions at the 4-H Kick Off. The club donated money from its treasury for special ribbons awarded at the Lancaster County Fair 4-H Household Pet Show.

This year, club members exhibited a total of 10 animals and three educational posters at the Lancaster County Fair 4-H Household Pet Show and Quiz Bowl. All animals earned purple ribbons, in addition to six rosettes and a Grand Champion trophy.

For 4-H’ers, however, the best rewards are learning about taking responsibility for the health and care of their pets, and receiving unconditional love from their pets in return.

The County Fair marks the end of the activity year for 4-H members, who work the rest of the year on projects, many of which are exhibited. Winners at the county level go on to State Fair.

At the 2003 Lancaster County Fair, 3,866 exhibits were showcased by 632 4-H members.

This fair marked the start of a new, local Future Agriculturist Incentive and Rewards (F.A.I.R.) program funded, in part, by Alumni Showmanship contests. New this year was a potato bar sponsored by 4-H Council. The Lancaster County Fair has one of the largest county fair horse shows in the state.