WESTSIDE -- 4-H is a community for all kids and 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, according to the 4-H website.
4-H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds to participate for more than 100 years. Local opportunities include livestock judging, consumer judging, food bowl, livestock skills, beef quiz bowl, trips, project workshops, community service projects, camps and more, according to the Benton County page of the Cooperative Extension Service website.
4-H Pledge
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
Local clubs include Bloomfield 4-H, Gravette Gleamers, Highfill Hometown Heroes, Logan 4-H, Maysville 4-H, Outdoor Adventures and Town and County. And these clubs provide opportunities for their members to learn skills related to leadership, public speaking, raising livestock, gardening and many other projects. And 4-H members are often leaders in providing services in their communities, whether that be helping with pollinator gardens at Eagle Watch or cleaning up parks and trails in their communities.
"In 4-H, kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. 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 4-H website states.
According to the website, 4-H reaches "kids in every corner of America -- from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities." It helps its young participants "grow into true leaders today and in life."
For more than a century, 4-H clubs have played an important role in passing on information and training to youth relating to agriculture and livestock and other life skills to make them successful as they grow into adulthood.
According to the 4-H website, "Today, 4-H serves youth in rural, urban and suburban communities in every state across the nation. 4-H'ers are tackling the nation's top issues, from global food security, climate change and sustainable energy to childhood obesity and food safety. 4-H out-of-school programming, in-school enrichment programs, clubs and camps also offer a wide variety of STEM opportunities -- from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, environmental protection and computer science -- to improve the nation's ability to compete in key scientific fields and take on the leading challenges of the 21st century."
Local 4-H clubs provide for many area youths the opportunity and direction to raise an animal and show it at the Benton County Fair, teaching responsibility and skills needed to pursue a future in agriculture.
And, each year, local businesses and individuals support local youth through the premium auction at the fair, allowing youth to show their animals and receive the money bid on their animals to offset expenses without giving up their prize animals.
For those interested in local clubs, those active in Eagle Observer territory, along with meeting times and contact information, are included below:
BLOOMFIELD 4-H CLUB -- Gentry
Main Leader: Michele Pigeon
Phone: Text (479) 957-2949
Co-Leader: Jennifer Robins Text (479) 228-1248
Club Meetings: Second Monday at 6:30 p.m.
GRAVETTE GLEAMERS 4-H CLUB -- Gravette
Main Leader: Rhonda Jarvis
Phone: (479) 644-8150
Co-Leader: Debe Greene (785) 224-6460
Club Meetings: Second Monday at 7 p.m.
HIGHFILL HOMETOWN HEROES -- Highfill
Main Leader: Vanessa Youngblood
Phone: (319) 750-6468
Club Meetings: Second Friday at 6 p.m.
LOGAN 4-H CLUB -- Siloam Springs/Highfill
Main Leader: Jackie Griffin
Phone: (479) 524-7784
Co-Leader: Anna Loftin (318) 676-9129
Club Meetings: Second Monday at 7 p.m.
MAYSVILLE 4-H CLUB -- Maysville
Main Leader: Jennye Stearman
Phone: (479) 899-2123
Club Meetings: Second Monday at 6:30 p.m.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 4-H CLUB -- Gentry
Main Leader: Megan Easley
Phone: (479) 212-1208
Co-Leader: Marta Harper 479-233-9758
Club Meetings: Second Monday at 6 p.m.
TOWN & COUNTRY 4-H CLUB -- Gravette
Main Leader: Shannon Mitchell
Phone: (479) 640-1323
Sdmitchellatcox.net
Club Meetings: Second Sunday at 3 p.m.
General News on 10/08/2019