GENTRY -- The 4-H motto has been "Making the Best Better" since 1902. Bloomfield 4-H has been doing just that even through the global pandemic.
Bloomfield members started the year like normal, remained active throughout the year and have overcome the difficulties thrown at them. Since covid-19, Bloomfield has continued monthly meetings via Zoom and participating in activities virtually.
In January, Bloomfield 4-H president Megan Pigeon attended a national roundup in Denver where she competed in fashion revue with the dress she made. Also, during January, several members won awards for their record books. County winners were Addison Robins, Leland Gaither and Wyatt Moore. Leland Gaither also won the district. Seniors Josie Newsom and Emma Davis won state, where they won a trip to Atlanta and a college scholarship.
This summer, Josie Newsom, club secretary, was selected as an Arkansas 4-H ambassador. As an ambassador, she will get to help plan state events like the teen leader conference.
Many 4-H members were able to continue work in their project areas due to the innovation of the program and technology like Zoom. Many competitions were held virtually this summer. Seniors Emma Davis and Tabitha Crawley both participated in the county's 4-H virtual art show. They both won best of show with their pieces.
Leland Gaither was a member of the Benton County Junior Livestock Judging Team and was able to have some in-person contests and others virtually. Other virtual events included Cloverbud Day Camp, Rice is Nice contest, dairy recipe contest, and O'Rama.
Thankfully, the Benton County Fair was able to be held but modified so members could compete. Bloomfield had participants in most categories of the fair -- crafts, art, cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, food preservation, photography, horses, gardening, and horticulture.
Megan Pigeon won high premium award all-departments and high premium creative crafts. Elianna Scribner won Cloverbud reserve champion commercial doe with her goat. Leland Gaither won reserve champion Yorkshire market hog. Annie Gaither won grand champion Yorkshire gilt in the open show.
One of the things members have missed the most is being able to do community service projects out in the community.
Megan Pigeon said, "The most challenging aspect this year has been social distancing and not being able to do a lot of stuff in the community."
Some of the club's community service projects from last year were visiting nursing homes, sending Christmas cards to troops overseas, packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, working at Eagle Watch, and delivering valentines to Flint Creek Apartments.
Members are ready to begin meeting in-person again, where they can see each other and learn together.
When members were asked what they like the most about 4-H, Tenley Patterson said, "She enjoys the friends that she makes."
Lanie Newsom said, "I like learning stuff."
Rachel Baker said, "I have learned to get out of my bubble and talk in front of people."
Recently, Bloomfield received permission to resume in-person meetings.
The club will be meeting at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cherokee City on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
