4-H is a youth organization offered in Wise County for kids ages 8 or in third grade to 18 that focuses on building life skills through project experiences. I truly believe 4-H has something for everyone, and it's not just for youth, it's for families. 4-H meetings are held once a month, and project meetings are full of educational opportunities and experiences.
While the official 4-H list includes 49 projects, such as livestock, photography, food and nutrition, outdoor education, leadership, public speaking, small animal, vet science, etc., we encourage 4-H members to select one project to complete their first year. A successful project contains three to five educational experiences, which can be a project meeting, workshop, visiting an 'expert' or on your own study.
Community service is a big part of a 4-H, and there are various ways to get involved with your community. Each year 4-H members participate in food drives, Salvation Army bell ringing and Shoebox Christmas. We are currently holding an animal supply drive with Russell Feed stores in Decatur. Leadership is important as youth become more confident, which brings in a public speaking element.
The first step to being a 4-H member is attending a club meeting. All 4-H clubs are open to any 4-H member in the county. Clover Kids are youth in kindergarten through second grade. While their participation is limited in the 4-H experience, there is a Clover Kid meeting each month.
To enroll in 4-H, visit texas.4honline.com. The fee to join is $20 until Nov. 1, and Clover Kids are always free! A great way to find out more about the Wise County 4-H program is to find us on Facebook at Wise County 4-H.
If you have questions, call Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Wise County at 940-627-3341 or email Chrissy Karrer, county Extension agent 4-H youth development, at cmkarrer@ag.tamu.edu.