Missouri Valley Times News, IA
10-15-07
Honor the green four leaf clover during 4-H week
AMES - Red and gold colors the Iowa landscape each fall, but green will
dominate during Oct. 7-13 when 4-H'ers across the state don the four-leaf clover
to celebrate National 4-H Week.
In proclaiming the observance, Gov. Chet Culver said, "I urge my fellow citizens
to observe this week by connecting with youth, friends, fellow employees and
relatives and with school, community and civic groups to engage in projects
benefiting their community."
"National 4-H provides young people with the research and resources from all the
nation's land-grant universities and colleges," said Chuck Morris, program
director for Iowa State University (ISU) Extension 4-H Youth Development.
"4-H builds character in youth by giving them a sense of belonging to a positive,
inclusive group; opportunities to help in their community; and a way to learn new
skills to meet life's challenges."
"ISU Extension and 4-H connect Iowa youth to learning and service opportunities
- and a lot of fun -at the community, county and regional levels; as well as at
statewide and national events," said Jack Payne, vice president for ISU
Extension and Outreach. "4-H is a big part of ISU Extension, but Extension is 4H and more. We 'extend' the university to the entire state.
"Extension can help young people explore what they want to do next - what they
want to become as adults. 4-H helps youth find their passion and see how that
translates into educational paths and future careers," Payne said.
Today's 4-H'ers can choose from science, engineering and technology; business
and workforce preparation; food safety and nutrition; animal and environmental
science; and theatrical and visual arts as well as production agriculture, clothing
and child development. All 4-H projects offer a leadership, citizenship and
communication component.
Also this year the 4-H program celebrates 100 years of the birth of the clover
emblem, from its inception in Clarion, Iowa. Nationally, 4-H celebrated its
centennial year as a youth development program in 2002.
Through their project work, 4-H'ers earn more than $100,000 in college
scholarships each year, Morris said. The Iowa 4-H Foundation makes available
approximately 90 scholarships through financial support from corporations,
organizations and individuals.
"Our youth are the future of Iowa -- we need their energy, skills and ideas to
make Iowa an even better place to live, work and play," Payne said. "ISU
Extension has an office in every county in Iowa - so stop on by and learn more
about 4-H." Iowans also can learn about 4-H online.
More than 60 million young people across the United States have been 4-H'ers.
Distinguished alumni from Iowa include NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, former
Gov. Terry Branstad, Academy Award-winning actress Donna Reed, football
stand-out Ed Podolak and numerous other public servants, educators and
communication, entertainment and sports figures. Also, six Iowans belong to the
National 4-H Hall of Fame: O. H. Benson, Fannie Buchanan, Max Exner, C. J.
Gauger, Cap Miller and Jessie Field Shambaugh, the Clarinda-native considered
to be one of the founders of the movement. See www.nae4ha.org/hof.