It’s time to be thankful.
As your 4-H Extension agent, I couldn’t be more thankful for all the youths and adults in our program. The partnerships between adults and young people are the cornerstone of our program.
Each year, 4-H clubs throughout La Plata County create youth councils to administer their club meetings. Youth members take on officer roles and responsibilities. Adult club leaders and advisers help their club officers create agendas, manage their club bank account, organize community service events and much more. Members learn from each other and develop the important life skill of teamwork.
We also have an umbrella youth council that represents members from different clubs in the county. This is called our La Plata 4-H County Council. These members meet once a month on top of their individual club meetings. This council promotes our program locally, regionally and nationally. It is a big commitment for these members.
I am very thankful for these members stepping up to the challenge. For the 2016-17 4-H year, co-presidents will be Shaylee Owen of the Mount Allison Go-Getter Club and Vinny Lopez of the Weasel Skinners Club. Iain McCourt of the Rocky Mountain Rough Riders Club will be the vice president. Iain’s sister, Kate McCourt, will be taking on the secretary role. And, Isabella McGaw will be our treasurer. Adult adviser Jessie Kugle will be helping guide these members.
This council is very excited to engage members in impactful programs and opportunities for success. They will act as ambassadors of the program and represent the power of 4-H youth members.
4-H club enrollment is currently open. If you are curious about 4-H, you can always attend the county council meeting to see what 4-H is all about. Our meetings are always at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month in the Extension Building at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
Volunteers are the heart of 4-H. Parents and other dedicated adult volunteers make this program a success. I would like to highlight the volunteers who have taken on the leadership of advising our 15 clubs throughout La Plata County.
They are: Misty Taylor, Scott Shivers, Jordan Loftis, Vicky Moreno, Sara McCourt, Kali Fassett, Chris Reed, Doug Davis, Rhonda Ledford, Jamie McDonald, Tim and Donna Karp, Teddi Baird-Tharp, Kari Jenkins, Aimee Wood, Natalie Horn-Howard, Penny Crawford, Rusty Greer, Daniel Greer and Kirk and Sharon Piene.
If you see these people around the county, please thank them for their service.
Last week, our 4-H community lost a youth member. This young gentleman was a gift to our program. He brought smiles and laughter to us all. We may never fully understand why, however we can go forward through compassion and love. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.
We also want to reach out to any youths who need support. We are here for you. We will listen in a non-judgmental manner. No problem is too big to talk about. We have information and resources that can help.
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
