4-H: Working to make the best better
As the daylight is getting longer and temperatures are slowly rising each day, we would normally be gearing up in May for lots of tag-ins, book orders and all sorts of fun 4-H activities that our creative clubs and members work so hard to kickstart the 4-H season with.
As I am sure with everyone this year, May looks a little different. That being said, I am so humbled to be a part of such a passionate, innovative program of volunteers and 4-H members who work so hard to make the best better in everything they do.
This year our 4-H calendar had to be altered and looks very different as we cannot hold in-person meetings through July 6. As Holmes County 4-H, we had to change the look and feel of a lot of events, meetings and workshops we would normally hold in person to a virtual platform.
This virus has been challenging for all of us, as our lives have all been impacted in one way or another, but instead of dwelling on all of the changes, Holmes County 4-H volunteers and members have chosen to pick up and make more than the best of the situation.
4-H clubs are meeting virtually, youth are preparing speeches and demonstrations virtually, the Holmes County Senior Fair board is spotlighting 4-H members on Facebook, and the Holmes County Junior Fair board has stepped up and is creating a calendar of challenges to keep all members across the county engaged and excited about this upcoming summer.
While things may not look “normal” as we move forward this year, there have been a lot of exciting new things that have changed in the Holmes County 4-H program.
Doughty Valley 4-H club has created a closed Facebook group in which its members can converse, share their work and support each other in their 4-H experiences this year. Many clubs are meeting via Zoom and working on how to virtually prepare for fair. Species committees will offer a Zoom meeting to share updates for 2020 and host a Q-and-A session.
If you or a family member was ever interested in taking a livestock project in 4-H but was unsure where to start, this would be a great time to learn all about it before the June 1 add/drop deadline. If you are interested in learning more about what innovative, exciting things are happening in the Holmes County 4-H program, feel free to reach out to club advisors or myself. We will be happy to help get you information.
If you are at home with your family and running out of fun activities to try, Ohio 4-H has uploaded 20 4-H project books online. These books can be found at www.ohio4h.org/booksresources and are under the “Perfect Stay at Home Project Books” tab. You do not have to be a member of a 4-H club to utilize or try some of the activities out.
Fun activities such as how to tie different knots, how to identify different colors of horses, how to find assistance with identifying birds in the backyard, how to understand your thoughts matter or how to cook healthy meals are just a small part of the books listed. These books are provided freefor everyone to work through and are just a small grouping of the 4-H project books that are offered.
Is your interest piqued yet? Are you interested in joining the Holmes County 4-H program or learning more about it? Our new member enrollment is open this year through June 1. A list of 4-H clubs can be found on the website at www.holmes.osu.edu under the 4-H section. Or you can contact our office, and we will be happy to help get you started in the right direction or answer any of your questions.
Janessa Hillis an OSU Extension 4-H youth development educator and may be called at 330-674-3015 or emailed at hill.1357@osu.edu.