Over the years, I have experienced the power of youth through the La Plata County 4-H program.
4-H club programs have contributed many benefits to our local communities. Youths develop the leadership and life skills to be responsible citizens in our area.
4-H members are taught at a young age the importance of giving back. Clubs throughout the county routinely participate in community service events. For example, the Weaselskinners 4-H Club just finished doing a roadside cleanup event on County Road 218. They stayed safe and had fun keeping the county road around the Sunnyside Elementary School clean.
This and many more community building projects make the 4-H Youth Development Program unique. Our county is lucky to have such wonderful adult leaders and volunteers supporting our young people. That’s why I encourage anyone interested in joining 4-H to apply today.
4-H is traditionally rooted in our agricultural past. We offer amazing projects in a variety of animal husbandry projects. However, we are so much more and offer many projects for youths to engage in. For instance, 4-H has robotics and computer science projects. In addition, we offer many cooking and home economics projects. You name it, and we probably have it.
However, I feel the greatest benefit of the program comes through the connections our members make with caring adults. We pride ourselves on the positive youth-adult partnerships our program creates. Through project-based learning, youth establish lifelong bonds with adults who genuinely support them. This makes our entire community a better place to live.
The 2019-20 4-H year has officially begun. Open enrollment can be accessed through the 4honline.com system. If you need any assistance or guidance enrolling, call the Colorado State University Extension Office at 382-6468.
Our local program has clubs all over the county. For instance, we have clubs in the Durango, Florida Mesa/Sunnyside, Bayfield, Ignacio/Allison and Fort Lewis Mesa areas. Our community clubs set the foundation for success in 4-H.
La Plata County 4-H is also excited to be collaborating with the Garden Project of Southwest Colorado this year. We will once again be offering Junior Master Gardener classes to the majority of Durango School District 9-R second grade students. This has been a great partnership to expand 4-H’s reach outside the community club program.
The Junior Master Gardener program offers science-based health and wellness classes in our local schools. This educational opportunity allows youths to learn about the importance of local agriculture and healthy living.
No matter if you join a local club program or are involved in a school enrichment program, you are getting lucky with the four leaf clover. We thank the community for always supporting us and our mission of making the best better.
Greg Felsen is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach him at gregory.felsen@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6463.
Greg Felsen
