By TIERNAN O’NEILL – Web Writer
4-H is not only a club that shapes better farmers, but better individuals too.
Head, Heart, Hands and Health. That is what 4-H stands for but 4-H represents much more than those four words. 4-H is a youth development organization that helps students aged nine to 19, sharpen their skills in the areas of public speaking, citizenship, leadership and community service.
Since its founding in 1904 by G.C. Adams, 4-H has expanded worldwide and has programs in 80 countries and all 50 states in the United States. In Georgia, all 159 counties have their own respective branches of 4-H. Georgia’s state 4-H office is located on the campus of the University of Georgia.
4-H’ers take part in a myriad of activities ranging from State Congress to the club’s annual Holiday Party. Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Barber Conway.
“A lot of time the farmers were not wanting to implement new farming techniques and practices. So (Adams) started this youth club to teach people how to use these new farming practices and when it came time to harvest the corn, the sons had a lot more corn per acre than their dads did. Once (the farmers)saw that, they realized that this was a worthwhile club,” Athens-Clarke County 4-H agent Elizabeth Conway said.
Nowadays, 4-H is much more than just a simple farming club. The club now has a plethora of activities for members to partake in.
“It just depends on what they’re interested in, there isn’t a “typical” 4-H’er. The sky’s limit and I try to never tell a 4-H’er ‘No you can’t do that.’ Whatever they want to do, we give them the tools to reach their goals and do what they want to do,” Conway said.
Eventhough 4-H’ers have a myriad of projects to pursue, there are things that are a common goal for most 4-H’ers.
“If (a 4-H’er) wants to do project achievement, which are demonstrations and research projects, for a lot of (4-H’ers) that’s the ultimate goal,” Conway said. “Because if they win at district they get to go to state congress and compete at state and then nationals.”
Clarke Central senior and Clarke County 4-H Senior Board Reporter, Kira Pollack, has been in 4-H since 5th grade. Pollack has been able to meet students from all around the state and has formed long lasting friendships with them.
“I still run up and hug a friend from the Marine Resource Camp at Jekyll Island every time I see her,” Pollack said. “So many people think that 4-H is solely about farming and that is incorrect. As a member you can learn how to effectively shop, use a compass, evaluate wildlife habitats, and, very importantly, work on public speaking.”
According to Conway, 4-H helps students gain skills in a variety of different areas and helps round them into adults.
“A lot of my students have told me that (4-H) really gave them a sense of self confidence. You know being able to stand in front of an audience and speak,” Conway said. “To be able to think of a plan to do some of these community service projects and you know to be able to feel like ‘I can do this.’.”
