Despite the many challenges this year, Ohio 4-H educators have offered a variety of innovative programs, thanks in part to support from the Ohio 4-H Foundation. Over the past 10 years, more than $1.6 million has been awarded to 4-H efforts throughout the state to create new programs, support ongoing activities, and promote 4-H. Here are just a few of the programs created for 4-H youth this year.
Take the Leap Day, statewide
In 2020, the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council (TLC) hosted the first Take the Leap: Career Readiness Day. Teens met at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center for an introduction to the world of work. This year, TLC built upon the success of that first effort by hosting a virtual program. Thirty youth joined online for sessions on business etiquette, creating a LinkedIn profile, and connecting with 4-H alumni about transferring their 4-H experience to the workforce.
Ohio 4-H Conference, statewide
Each year more than 1,200 4-H volunteers and teens meet in Columbus for the Ohio 4-H Conference to discover new resources and activities for youth. This year’s virtual event was held over three days with more than 3,400 check-ins for 87 different sessions on topics ranging from new projects to livestock updates to games for club meetings.
Cloverbud kits, Greene County
4-H Educator Rebecca Supinger created Experience 4-H at Home kits for the youngest 4-H’ers, each focused on a different H. The 50 kit recipients learned about career readiness, agriscience, healthy living, and citizenship with the activities and supplies in the kit. In the “Head” kit, Cloverbuds discovered directions to make a birdseed ornament with a 4-H cookie cutter and how to create a handmade mask.
Exploring precision ag, Portage County
Later this year, youth in a two-day program will learn all about precision agriculture and how drones are used in the process. The second session focuses on career options with presentations from ag professionals who will share how drones help them in the workplace. In this photo, 4-H’ers tested the drones and learned about precision ag while at Portage County 4-H camp, held at Camp Whitewood.