Leonard at Large

4-H is online

"4-H online!" is the theme for National 4-H Week, which is being observed Oct. 3-9. It is the time when special publicity is given to 4-H and a special effort is made to recruit new members and new volunteer leaders.

Over the years, there have been many themes for the week. When I asked a 4-H leader what this year's theme is, it came as a surprise to me. Wow! We are living in a different world -- a different century. The world today is much different from the world in which the 4-H movement was getting started a century ago. At that time there were beef clubs, corn clubs, sewing clubs and others to teach adults new practices by teaching the youth.

You do not have to go back a century to find changes -- 4-H today is very different from the 4-H clubs two decades ago. It has been about 20 years since Darra Johnson introduced a computer project into the county program. It was not a state project at the time. She developed it with other resource leaders. It was about that time the Vernon County Youth Fair information was put on computer, saving many hours. That was progress at that time -- No one even dreamed that the computer and Internet would become such a major part of our society. Even during the past 10 years, much progress has been made with the Internet.

In previous years, a National 4-H Week kit was sent to the University Extension Center. It contained information about 4-H and suggestions on how the week might be observed. It also suggested ideas for news releases and other helpful information including ideas about the theme. This year the packet was not sent to the Extension Center. Instead, it had to be obtain online.

Among the aspects of 4-H celebrated during National 4-H Week are celebrations of 4-H's ever-increasing presence on the Internet -- including the much anticipated launch of the redesigned 4-HUSA.org, 4-H's first national Web site for, by, and about youth.

The Web site says that "Ninety-three percent of young people ages 10-18 are actively online and want to find the information they need from online sources, according to the Pew Internet Project (2003). Recognizing this trend, 4-H is at the forefront of youth development organizations using the Internet as national, state, and county 4-H programs and 4-H clubs are actively developing new and more innovative online presences with the support of the National 4-H youth Technology Team, state and county 4-H youth technology teams, and the 4-HUSA Web Crew."

The latest of these Web sites is the redesigned 4-H HUSA.org by the 4-HUSA Web Crew, a group of 14 teens from across the United States created a site that focuses on youth ages 13-16 and demonstrates the size, diversity and value of the 4-H adventure.

The site features the most complete list of available 4-H Web sites. The list is organized by state and features many interactive elements including a national calendar of events and featured news headlines. Coming soon are games, message boards, Web logs, and myname@4-Husa.org e-mail aliases.

It is good to see the many things that are occurring in the Vernon County 4-H program. It is one of the best programs in the state and is recognized as an outstanding 4-H program. The members are accomplishing many things.

The annual chicken barbecue was held last Saturday night. The chicken was extra good this year and it was a pleasure to be there and to have a wonderful and tasty meal. Each member and volunteer involved with the barbecue deserves a four-leaf clover.

Those giving leadership to the event deserves a four leaf clover bouquet The barbecue is not a part of National 4-H Week, but in a sense it is a way of getting the celebration started. It continues to be amazing to see many 4-H members and volunteers involved with the event. Some of the leaders have been involved for several years and continue to be dedicated. Also, there were new volunteers involved with the barbecue. The event, which is a major fund raising event for the 4-H council.

Warren Hargus, community development specialist, retired, commented, "this (4-H) is good for them."

I was impressed with this comment from Warren. After hearing him say this, I thought that his comment is a good subject in itself.

In Vernon County there are 15 4-H Clubs with a total of 393 members.

This number includes the Clover Kids, which is a special program for children too young for full 4-H membership.

There are many things that are being done in the nation by youth in the 4-H program relating to 4-H on line. It blows my mind. Still, 4-H members are doing many other things. One of the H's is Health. There are great things being done in Health. While young, I did not appreciate this "H" as much as it deserves. With the experiences in life, I realize the importance of young people learning and practicing good health.

Many of the 4-H members are involved in community service. This includes members in Vernon County. They are involved in developing leadership skills.

There are many other ways that 4-H youth are involved and learning things that will be of benefit to them for life.

For many families, 4-H is a part of life -- a way of life. The entire family is involved with 4-H and benefit from it in a large number of ways. There is need for new clubs. It only takes five members to organize a club. Now is the time to organize a new club or join a club.

For information concerning being involved or supporting 4-H in some manner, contact Carol Parmenter, 4-H youth specialist, at the University Extension Center located on the ground floor of the court house or by phoning (417) 448-2560.