Young County proclaims next week as 4-H week

The Young County Commissioner’s Court proclaimed Oct. 6-12 as 4-H week in the county during their meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.

According to a press release, The 4-H youth development program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service seeks to provide a learning experience for the whole child. The 4-H program was founded on the belief of when children are allowed to chase their passions their skills grow and take shape which allows them to become true leaders in their lives, careers and communities.

This is the 77th year which there will be a National 4-H week and this year’s theme will be “Inspire Kids to Do.” The campaign hopes to empower children with the skills they need to succeed in their lives and careers.

“4-H alumni around the country are always the first to acknowledge the significant positive impact that 4-H had on them as young people,” a press release reads. “In fact, research has shown that young people in 4-H are nearly four times as likely to contribute to their communities and are twice as likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs during after school time.”

The proclamation states the 112-year-old program has more than 550,000 members in the states from different backgrounds ranging from the ages of 8 to 19-years-old and has over 22,000 volunteers.

Penny Berend, Family and Community Health Young County Extension Agent, said in the county there are more than 150 4-H youth and 25 volunteers from the community who are involved in 4-H. She added over 1,200 youth are indirectly involved in the 4-H program through youth development curriculum enrichment programs conducted throughout the year within Graham, Newcastle and Olney ISDs.

The Young County 4-H program had many of its members in attendance during the proclamation including Victoria Richards, Becca Burgess, Kaycee Dunnam, Maddie Paulson, Kenzie Gough and Hailey Buse.

“Young County 4-H has grown tremendously in the last year and we are proud to provide all of our traditional 4-H projects as well as the many new projects kicking off with the help of our 4-H volunteers and leaders.” Berend stated in a press release “National 4-H Week will be a great opportunity for members and our county council to highlight the various projects they are involved in.”

For the rest of the story, see the Wednesday, Oct. 2 edition of The Graham Leader.