More than 6 million young people across the country today will celebrate National 4-H Week, an annual celebration of 4-H during the first full week of October. Todd County 4-H will leverage National 4-H Week this year to showcase the great things that 4-H offers young people and highlights the incredible 4-H youth in the community who work each day to make a positive impact on the community.
When asked what 4-H means to them, Jadon Buntjer, Todd County 4-H Leader’s Council Treasurer, said, “4-H means working together, building a good work ethic, being accountable and learning responsibility and above all having fun!” Rachel Paskewitz, Todd County 4-H Leader’s Council Secretary, stated, “Through the years, 4-H has not only taught me about different values in life, it has shown who I am. 4-H is very important to me and it’s a very big part of my life. People say I talk about my cows too much, but that is what’s important to me. 4-H isn’t just an activity. It’s a love, it’s a passion, and it’s a way of life.”
“We have such a phenomenal group of young people in Todd County 4-H; it is so exciting to see them gaining leadership skills and expanding their horizons. 4-H plays an important role in the development in becoming productive members of society in these young people’s lives. 4-H helps youth discover their passions, provides quality-learning experiences and ignites their minds through inquiry-based learning opportunities,” said Larissa Brune, Todd County 4-H Program Coordinator.
When asked what they have gained from being in 4-H, Rebekka Paskewitz, Todd County 4-H Leader’s Council Reporter, said, “Without 4-H, I wouldn’t be involved in my surroundings. I wouldn’t know who I was or what it is that I love. The opportunities that come through 4-H have helped me become a leader through talking to people and working to complete a variety of projects. In 4-H, I also learned about how everyone has something that they can enjoy and participate in. We don’t all have to do the same thing. It’s been great to see members find what they enjoy through all of the opportunities given in 4-H. Overall, I know that my experience and growth in 4-H prepare me for a successful future!”
Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are: • Nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities, • Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors,
• Two times more likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs in the out-of-school time.
In Todd County more than 296 4-H youth and 75 volunteers from the community are involved in 4 H.
About 4-H: 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.
For local 4-H information contact: Larissa Brune, 4-H Program Coordinator at 320-732-4435, brun0302@umn.edu.