Learning leadership, citizenship and life skills

The title for the Missouri Center for Youth Development 2006 Annual report is "4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills." This title summarizes what 4-H is all about. The report provides a snapshot of 4-H in Missouri.

This program makes a major impact in the state of Missouri. It touches 1 out of 9 of the youth. This includes 28,333 participants in 4-H clubs, 10,323 in special interest programs and another 81,700 participants in school enrichment programs (duplicates are not removed). The 4-H members are supported by 11,850 youth and adult volunteers.

It is of interest to see the top 10 projects for the 2006 enrollment year. It will vary from year to year. The projects and enrollment are (1) Shooting sports 5,323; (2) Arts and crafts 3,280; (3) Horsemanship 3,007; (4) Beef 2,672; (5) Photography 2,347; (6) Foods 2,364; (7) Wood science 2,198; (8) Swine, 2,081; (9) Clothing 1,718; and (10) Cake decorating. In addition there were another 2,377 participating in Clover Kids. During the year there were a number of statewide 4-H events and national 4-H events which provided enrichment for those attending.

Ina Metzger Linville, PhD, interim director, University of Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development in an introductive letter in the report said, "New research from Tufts University shows that 4-H stands out because it teaches 4-H members to contribute to their communities more so than any other organization … We are expanding the positive influence of youth-adult partnerships to children of deployed military families, to youth who thought higher education was unattainable and to youth enrolled in more than 200 afte-school programs."

In the report there are stories of what is being done by 4-H in the communities, in leadership, in citizenship and developing life skills. At Brookfield an effort is being made to encourage youth not to leave the community with a Youth Enterprisers Program. In Cass County, visits are made to area senior citizens and disabled residents are given baskets containing chocolate, mixes, stationary, plants, cookies and crocheted blankets. Megan Lee, Pleasant Hill, said, "The project has shown me that doing something nice makes you feel good."

Polk County 4-H members shared their passion for fishing with other children by donating refurbished rods and reels to a local charity. St. Charles County 4-H members collected toothpaste, shampoo, diapers, deodorant and other items and gave them to St. Vincent de Paul Society in Wentzville, filling a need that the society had for personal care items.

Boone County and others are involving youth in their county university extension programs. The youth are being consulted enabling the councils to make decisions with young people instead of for them.

Morgan County 4-Hers got involved in buying gifts for a local charity, Toys for Kids, this past holiday season instead of wish lists for themselves. There are many interesting stories in the report. One is about Missouri 4-H members refurbish computers at national conference. While attending the 2006 National 4-H Technology Leadership Conference, six Missouri 4-H members helped refurbishing 160 computers, which were distributed to low-income families in Nebraska.

Founded in 1949, the 4-H foundation provides financial support for the education program of the University of Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development. In addition to awarding more than 60 scholarships annually, the foundation provides funds for State 4-H Congress and public speaking contests, community service grants and volunteer training.

The foundation is an important partner in the 4-H program. The chair is Dale R. Ludwig. The membership consists of several high quality individuals from different parts of the state. This group pays their own expenses to attend the foundation meetings.

Cheryl Reams has joined the Missouri 4-H Foundation as executive director. She previously held the position of associate vice president for development and alumnae relations at Stephens College in Columbia. She replaces Don Henderson in the position. Don will continue with the foundation in the role of director of development on a part-time basis with an emphasis in planned giving.

Listed in the report are the donors for the year. Among those in this area is the Osage Valley Electric Cooperative. They have been a long time supporter of 4-H and have given support for 4-H in Vernon County over the years.

Opal Gould, a former club leader in Vernon County, is listed as a donor.

She contributes in most years. She is now residing with a daughter.

Contributors noticed on the list from Vernon County include, the Vernon County 4-H Council, Bronaugh 4-H Club, Milo-Oakdale 4-H Club, and West Point 4-H Club. Making a contribution to the Missouri 4-H Foundation is a good investment.

A comment that Ina made in her introductory letter is, "Together, dedicated faculty, committed volunteers and spirited 4-Hers will continue to learn and grow, resulting in a world that is a better place now and in the future.