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Table of Contents:
4-H Member Stories
How do I get Involved?
What Projects can I choose?
Are There Special Events?
What are the Rewards?
Is 4H for Teenagers Too?
Volunteer Opportunities
Collegiate 4-H Opportunities
Who do I contact?
4-H Fair Premium Book And Voucher
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Youth Connection Online!
The monthly newsletter, Youth Connection, is available online. Click here to visit the website where you can download the current issue. |
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4-H is an Opportunity for Youth to:
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Meet new friends
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Learn about people, places, and things
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Develop new skills
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Explore careers
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Make decisions and accept responsibility
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Get involved in their own community
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Can I Join?
If you are in grades K through 12 you can get involved in 4-H programs. It doesn't matter where you live -- 4-H in Columbia County is active in the country and the city.
4-H has something for everyone, everywhere.
What Does it Cost?
- There are no state or national dues, and no uniforms are required. Some groups do collect dues or fees for special events and activities, but that decision is left up to each group.
- In 4-H, members work on various projects. Materials for most projects are provided by the 4-H club members, their families, or their group. Sometimes workshops or events require a fee to cover expenses.
- 4-H is a non-profit, educational program -- we're not in the business of making money. Our business is Youth Development.
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Friendships Key to 4-H Success
Sixth-year member Micaela Cacciatore probably tells it best, as she had the most striking example of needing a helping hand. She was nervous about showing her cow Mae, who had been giving her a hard time before fair. She even had a nightmare about it, the night before the show. Here's her story: "As I led Mae through the crowded walkway to the show ring, my stomach was swarming with butterflies. Mae was really antsy and was head butting me. I was the last to enter the show ring and I felt like the smallest. I was so nervous. Then my dream came alive. Mae started to drag me to the opposite end of the show ring. That's when a friend and experienced showman came to my aid. He grabbed my show halter and calmed Mae down. He continued to walk her around the ring. Since my heifer acted so poorly, I wasn't able to make her look good for the judge, but my friend was [able to show her well]. Mae placed third out of five." To read the whole article (in PDF format) click here. |
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Michaela Cacciatore and Cassandra Chittenden work together to lead a Jersey heifer at the Showperson clinic. |
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4-H Member Shares Hidden Lessons Learned
During the different years of 4-H, there always seems to be a new lesson learned--from as simple as how to clip a topline, to life lessons, like responsibility. But I believe that some of the most important lessons that I have learned are the ones that are hidden inside of different situations we all face during our 4-H careers. It is up to us to determine how we are going to handle it, and what we are going to get out of it. For example, if you had a bad year and didn't do as well as you planned, you could either look at it in a negative way, or you could look at it in a positive way and say that you will just have to work harder next year. To read the whole article (in PDF format) click here. |
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Micaela Cacciatore and Justine Schulerud share their knowledge of cheese with the public at the Columbia County Fair. |
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How Can I Get Involved?
There are three choices open to you:
4-H Clubs:
Clubs hold meetings on a regular basis, elect officers, complete and submit enrollment forms. Each member completes at least one project a year, and projects, programs, and special activities are based on the interests of members.
Community Clubs are usually small groups with five to 15 members in grades 3-12. One to three volunteers are involved.
Cloverbud Clubs are small groups with five to eight members in grades K-3 from the same area. They usually meet bi-weekly. Two to four volunteers are involved.
Special Interest Clubs are small groups with five to fifteen members who have a common interest and focus, such as rabbits or horses. One to three volunteers are involved.
Family 4-H Clubs are for families and consist of one or two adults and however many children in the family.
4-H Special Interest Groups:
Special Interest Groups are set up to study one subject for a short period. Usually there are no officers; the group is led by a volunteer skilled in the subject the group will be studying. The group generally ends when the project is completed. Some groups last three weeks, others -- three months, depending on what's being done. Dog Obedience, Tractor Safety Certification, and Super Sitter are examples.
School and Community Groups:
Many teachers and youth group leaders throughout Columbia County utilize 4-H staff, kits, project materials and videos to enhance their existing curriculum. Informational flyers are available.
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What Projects Can I Choose?
You may downlaod a listing of 4-H Project Descriptions.For a PDF version, click here.
For a Word version, click here.
For a Word version of the Table of Contents, click here.
For a Microsoft Publisher version, click here. There are over 65 4-H projects, and if you can't find what you want, you can design your own.
Here's a sample of the projects to select from:
- Gardening: Fruits and Vegetables
- Grounds: Plants and Flowers
- Bird Study
- Wood Science
- Public Speaking
- Astronomy
- Animal Science: Beef, Dairy, Goats, Horses, Swine, Poultry, Rabbits, Cavy, Sheep
- Small Animals and Pets
- Environmental Awareness
- Foods and Nutrition
- Consumer Education
- Career Exploration
- Photography
- Leadership
- Creative Arts
- Fishing
- Electricity
- Needle Arts
- Multicultural Appreciatio
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Are there Special Events?
4-H'ers in both 4-H Clubs and Special Interest Groups can get involved in many 4-H activities and events outside of their own group.
There are:
- Workshops
- Conferences
- Contests and other competitions
- Demonstrations, public speaking, and showmanship events
- Local, district, and state fairs
- 4-H camping experiences
- Trips and tours
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What are the Rewards?
Young people and adults in 4-H can receive recognition for their work in many different ways:
- Ribbons and rosettes
- Special prizes-gifts, cash awards or cash premiums
- Certificates of completion; membership pins
- Leadership awards, scholarships
- Selection as delegates to regional and national 4-H events
But the best reward of all is the feeling of satisfaction members and volunteers get for doing a job well-done and there's lots of that in 4-H. Our motto is "To Make the Best Better," and we strive for that in all we do. Back to Top |
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Is 4-H for Teenagers Too?
Yes, 4-H Teens have a wide selection of activities at the local, district, or state levels that they may choose to become involved in. Activities are planned to meet the needs and interests of teens, for example, those dealing with social and educational issues.
Teens participate actively at:
- State 4-H Career Awareness
- State 4-H Capital Days
- 4-H Teen Ambassador training
- County and state committee meetings
- Exchange programs with other states and countries
- County Teen Evaluator Program
- Regional Career Awareness Trips
- National 4-H Conference or Washington Focus in our nation's capital
It's exciting, challenging, and fun!
Teens also take on leadership roles in local clubs and special interest groups.
Nineteen and Over?
4-H is for adults, too. If you are concerned about what kids are doing these days, or if you would like to teach a project, share a hobby, do community service, or if you just want to work with youth -- 4-H needs you.
Adults can choose to volunteer for many different jobs -- depending on the amount of time they can give, and the type of work they enjoy:
Organizational Leader: Serves as advisor/coordinator to a group of 4-H members, helping them organize and maintain a club.
Assistant Leader: Assists the organizational leader with club organization and maintenance.
Activity Leader: Works with youth and adults to plan and conduct special events and activities at the local or district levels.
Project Leader: Teaches short-term projects outside the club setting.
Program/Advisory Committee Member: Assist in determining the direction of county youth programming.
Chaperone: Join youth on a specific outing -- anything from a few hours to a few days.
All volunteers receive orientation and on-going supervision from professional 4-H staff. Project materials, a monthly newsletter, and many training opportunities are also available.
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4-H volunteers are the key to success for 4-H in Columbia County.
4-H Motto: To make the best better
4-H Pledge: I pledge
- MY HEAD to clearer thinking,
- MY HEART to greater loyalty,
- MY HANDS to larger service, and
- MY HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world!
4-H Slogan: Learning by doing
Cornell Cooperative Extension is your local link to New York State's Land Grant University -- Cornell University in Ithaca.
4-H is the youth component of Cooperative Extension. 4-H offers several ways for young people to gain knowledge and skills, make new friends and feel good about themselves.
Columbia County's programming needs are identified by local elected volunteers comprising the Association Board of Directors and Committees representing the program areas of Agriculture/Horticulture, 4-H Youth Development and Home Economics/Family Living.
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Collegiate 4-H Opportunities
Collegiate 4-H offers college students an experience after high school of volunteering with 4-H youth, serving their communities, and growing as a young 4-H volunteer leader. Collegiate 4-H is a nationwide program that can be implemented at any college campus.
The website helps in providing resources in starting or finding a Collegiate 4-H club at any school (in any state!) and providing ideas for providing leadership to county, local, and state 4-H programs. Click here to visit the website.
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Who Do I Contact?
4-H Youth Development Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County
479 Route 66
Hudson, NY 12534
(518) 828-3346
FAX (518) 828-3069
E-mail Linda at: lke2@columbia.edu
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