4-H wraps up another year

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Local 4-H groups wrapped up another successful year with National 4-H Week and Achievement Day, according to Brittany Hamilton, the 4-H and youth development extension educator. 
 “The first full week of October brings about National 4-H Week, and Weston County stayed busy this year,” Hamilton said. “There were daily activities to promote 4-H throughout the week via posts on social media, such as Wear-It Wednesday to sport your favorite 4-H shirt.”
“Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country – through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4-H camps,” the website states. 
Hamilton explained that National 4-H Week began during World War II as a way to focus youth on what they might do for national defense. 
“The goal was to reach as many rural members as possible to raise food needed by men and women in the armed forces. Later, 4-H Week became a means of acquainting the public with the 4-H program, encouraging new members and leaders to join, recognizing the contributions of parents and members of the community and reporting the accomplishments for the 4-H year,” Hamilton said.
Kids complete several hands-on projects in different areas, the website states, including agriculture, health, science and citizenship, in a “positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.”
“Today, National 4-H Week varies by county and state, but the goals behind it remain the same,” Hamilton said. “In Weston County, we try to promote community service, raise awareness of the program, encourage youth to join, create a sense of pride and belonging and have fun too.” 
National 4-H Week closes with an annual achievement day, held on Oct. 14 of this year, according to Hamilton. On this day, the accomplishments of members and leaders were recognized for their outstanding work throughout the 4-H year that begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of every year. 
“Achievement day is the end-of-year recognition and awards for outstanding members and leaders in 4-H,” Hamilton said. “A lot of these awards are based on the number of years of involvement, the participants’ record books, general participation and their code of conduct within 4-H.” 
The annual banquet, she said, is designed to recognize and appreciate the leaders and volunteers for all that they do for the program, as well as recognize the youth for their hard work throughout the year. 
“Volunteers are the heart of 4-H, and we can’t have a successful program without them. We value our volunteers for all that they do and the expertise they offer to the youth,” Hamilton said. 
One award, which Hamilton admits is pretty special in her eyes, is the annual Friend of 4-H award. This award is given to an individual, business or group in the community that “has been a true friend of Weston County 4-H” by giving their time, attending functions or aiding the organization financially.
“Barb Crow was this year’s recipient. She was recognized for all her support as a donor, as a person who is always there for the kids cheering them on and for being a person that is always at different events supporting our youth,” Hamilton said. “She supports our program in multiple ways and is a great friend of the program.” 
Another important award, according to Hamilton, is one given to outstanding 4-H leaders. This award is given to leaders who have been involved for at least three years and go above and beyond to make the best 4-H experience for the youth involved. 
Galen Stafford was one of those recognized as an outstanding 4-H leader this year. Hamilton said that Stafford is always willing to help whenever he is needed, gives his time freely and treats everyone the same. 
“The way he works with the kids is super special. He makes them feel important and is super encouraging,” Hamilton said. 
J.D. and Cindy Rhoades also received the outstanding leader award. 
“J.D. and Cindy work hard in the poultry and rabbit barn. They go over lots of information with the youth but make it fun,” Hamilton said. “They make sure the kids know how to show their animals and care for their animals so they can be as prepared for fair as possible.” 
Achievement Day is also the time for recognizing the youth for their hard work and dedication over the 4-H year. Awards are usually based off the work done by the participants, which is recorded in their record books. 
“4-H members usually turn in their record books in September. The record books are used by the members to recap their projects from the year,” Hamilton said, noting that records are no longer required as they once were but that youth are encouraged to keep them. 
According to Hamilton, 4-H members are encouraged to keep track of their goals in their record books, including what they hope to learn or gain from each project, their expenses, income and profit associated with a project and to reflect on the project once it’s complete. 
“It is really a self-assessment of where the individual is at and how they hope to get better in coming years. It is a pinnacle point in their learning and great practice for recordkeeping,” Hamilton said. 
Although all the awards given to the youth are special and important, Hamilton said, one award this year was given to a determined and positive individual who strived to complete his projects despite facing personal health issues. 
“The 4-H Extra Mile Award is given to someone who may not be in the winner’s circle all of the time but they are there giving everything they got.” Hamilton said. “This year J.R. Graham received the award. We felt he deserved this because he was still involved despite certain circumstances, and we are really proud of him.”