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Ohio 4-H Youth Development

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Grants Help 4-H Grow

A Cloverbud member participates in mock judging.

Each year, the Ohio 4-H Foundation awards more than $100,000 to local county programs to support efforts in education and experiential learning. This year, many county educators focused on developing opportunities to involve Cloverbuds and new project members.

In Seneca County, Katie Cole, extension educator for 4-H, introduced a Cloverbud Share Fair and public speaking demonstration to help Cloverbud members A Cloverbud member shows off his craft and participation ribbon.understand what it will be like to participate in future judging.

This program encouraged Cloverbuds to bring a craft they created in their club to one of Seneca County’s pre-fair judging days, where they presented their work to a junior leader or Junior Fair Board member. Cloverbuds discussed their craft with the judges and received a participation A Cloverbud member recites the 4-H pledge during the public speaking demonstration.rosette for their hard work. “For many Cloverbuds, this was their first time receiving a ribbon, so it was gratifying to watch their faces light up with pure joy after being awarded one,” said Cole.

After the share fair, Cloverbuds were invited to participate in a public speaking demonstration where they recited the 4-H pledge for a small audience. “They were so nervous at first,” said Cole, “but after they were done, it was a whole different story. The smiles on their faces were priceless!”

Under the guidance of Tracy Winters, 4-H professional in Gallia County, “Come 4-H youth test the flying power of paper airplanes.Discover 4-H” sessions helped youth learn about the projects available to them.

Seventeen youth in grades 2–4 participated in hands-on information sessions where they learned about 4-H projects in five different interest areas: food and nutrition, creative arts, STEM, animal sciences, and natural resources and shooting sports. They also completed activities related to each project, such as making their own trail mix, testing the A 4-H member makes trail mix during the food and nutrition information session.flying power of paper airplanes, and trying their skill on an inflatable archery range.

Winters said, “Making specific connections to project books helped participants see how they can apply their interests to 4-H and use project work to explore their passions.” Upon finishing the session, each youth member received a voucher for a free project book of their choice and basic supplies to help then complete a 4-H project display. Participants could choose from a trifold poster board or three-ring binder, glue, a permanent marker, and access to Gallia County’s Project Pantry, which houses additional materials youth may need to complete their project displays.

Would you like to support Ohio 4-H Foundation grants to make more programs like these possible? Donate to the Ohio 4-H Foundation endowment fund today!