Local youth celebrate national 4-H Week

According to the National 4-H website, more than six million young people from across the country will be celebrating the Annual National 4-H Week, October 3rd through October 8th, 2016.

During that time 4-H clubs from all over the world will celebrate and showcase the great things 4-H offers young people and highlight the incredible youth in our communities who work each day to make a positive impact.

The theme for 2016 is “4-H Grown” and “True Leaders”. Everyone involved with the program and others who value it are encouraged to post pictures to social media this week using “#4HGrown” and “#TrueLeaders”. Here in Madison and Jefferson Counties clubs have been encouraged to go out and promote 4-H in various ways around their communities and encourage others to join the program.

As a part of the event the Extension Office will be holding its Annual National 4-H Week Window Display Contest. Local 4-H clubs were asked to come up with a display that uses the 4-H Week Theme and place them in a public place in their community. As you drive around the counties this week be sure to keep your eyes open for these displays and take the time to stop by and check them out. 4-Hers in our area are doing some really great things!

We all know that 4-H kids are one of a kind and go above and beyond to do great things. According to recent studies youth who participate in 4-H are 4x more likely to contribute to their community, nearly 5x more likely to graduate college and 2x more likely to make overall healthier choices in life. Investing in 4-H youth is a way you can invest in your community. 4-H is teaching the kids of today to be the responsible adults of the future.

Last year the Madison-Jefferson County 4-H Program had over 300 members and this year’s projections are indicating that we will have closer to 400 enrolling members between the ages of 5 and 18 years old. 4-H is not just for farming and ranching kids anymore. Children from all backgrounds are joining 4-H and the program is always improving in order to meet the needs of the kids in our communities and surrounding areas. Montana 4-H currently offers projects in animal science, engineering/technology, environmental/natural sciences, family/consumer sciences, plant science, communications/expressive art, leadership/personal development and health.

To learn more about Montana 4-H and how you can get involved with the program please visit http://www.montana4h.org or contact the Madison-Jefferson Extension Office at madisonjefferson2@montana.edu or 287-3282. You can also go online and check us out on Facebook at “MSU Extension Madison-Jefferson Counties to learn more about local 4-H, happenings from across the state as well as current agricultural news articles.

We could not do some of the things we do without the great support of our sponsors and volunteers from around the counties. Everyone really appreciates all of the things that they do for the kids in our communities! Contact the Extension Office and see how you can become program or award sponsor today.