It has been a challenging year for Barton County’s 11 4-H clubs having to cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Michelle Beran, Cottonwood Extension District – Barton County. However, the 4-Hers have persevered and kept busy.

Beran was at the Barton County Commission meeting Tuesday morning to present the proclamation marking next week as National 4-H Week, which commissioners approved.

“In the midst of a couple of years that have been pretty tough on all of us, 4-H members continue to learn, grow, and practice communication and leadership skills,” she said. “Our theme for 2021 National 4-H Week is ‘Find Your Spark.’”

Here is a rundown of what happened:

• The Clover Classroom is a statewide project originated from a group of Northwest Kansas agents in 2020 concerned about losing interaction with youth during the pandemic. The initiative includes virtual challenges that can be shared.

There are now 13 published challenges along with another five to eight in the works, Beran said. She is part of a group of agents presenting about this at their national 4-H meeting in November.

• During the past year, they held a successful barbecue fundraiser, a virtual for each achievement banquet, and a club day where youth put their communication skills on display by presenting demonstrations and illustrated talks.

• They had 14 youth and six counselors attend for 4-H camp at Rock Springs Ranch. The experience was pared down some due to COVID restrictions, but a great experience regardless, Beran said.

• They worked with the Barton County Fair Association this summer to hold their fair. “While it looked a little different (with some COVID precautions), 4-H members were active in a wide range of projects,” she said.

“Many people think you have to have livestock to be in 4-H,” she said. “But I’m happy to always remind them that we have projects from reading to rockets.”

She said they appreciate the work of the Fair Association, and the county and city crews, that help this project showcase be successful. 

• In addition to livestock entries, they had nearly 70 entries that were promoted onto the Kansas State Fair, which included a Family and Consumer Science judging teams which placed fourth and a senior photo judging team which placed fifth.

• Under the direction of her summer intern, they had several older 4-H members plan and present a day camp about the four seasons. “This is as much a hands on learning opportunity for big kids, as it is for campers,” she said. 

The proclamation

“4-H, as delivered by area Cooperative Extension agencies, has helped thousands of youth become confident, independent, resilient and compassionate leaders,” Beran said. “By declaring Oct. 3-9 as National 4-H Week, the commission will encourage all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact it makes by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.”

The proclamation reads: “The Commission encourages all of citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact it has made and continues to make by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.

According to the proclamation, 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, having supported almost six million youth across the country thus far and it has helped youth in Kansas and across the United States to become confident, independent, resilient and compassionate leaders. 

The program is delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing in hands-on projects in areas including health, science, agriculture and citizenship. “National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Kansas and throughout America who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them,” it reads.

4-H’s network of 600,000 volunteers and 3,500 professionals provide “caring and supportive mentoring to all 4-Hers, helping them to grow into true leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries.”