I continue to be surprised when I run into someone who asks, "Is 4-H alive and well?" Isn't it fading away because so few people are involved in agriculture?"
Quite the contrary. And you've heard it before--if you eat, you're involved in agriculture. Moreover, though, 4-H is alive and thriving--as a matter of fact. Last year, Arizona 4-H touched the lives of more than 100,000 young people all across the state. The program continues to remain relevant to today's youth because it continues to evolve right along with their interests. 4-H is also one of the only youth development programs where kids can learn how to care for and raise an animal--creating that special bond with a living creature that is an unparalleled experience in other youth programs. Whether it is raising a chicken, training a dog, caring for a cat or hamster, or raising sheep or pigs--4-H has it all. And more. 4-H offers more than 100 different projects and activities that are sure to appeal to all kids regardless of their interests, where they live, or their financial situation. In fact, we even have a project on financial management--a great topic in this economy.
But the results that kids get from 4-H are not just about the projects. Alumni of 4-H tell us what they really get out of the program is not agricultural knowledge, but life skills such as leadership, public speaking, decision-making, responsibility, caring for community, ethics, and character.
You can read more about today's Arizona 4-H in the latest issue of the Arizona Farm Bureau magazine. Find out why 4-H is more important than ever.
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