Youth may still enroll in 4-H for 2006

Colorado

Morgan County youth may still enroll in 4-H to exhibit at the 2006 Morgan County Fair, if enrollment forms are submitted by March 1 to the Morgan County Extension Center at 914 E. Railroad. The cost is $15 for a new member to join. Re-enrolling members will pay $20. Youth from 8 to 18 years of age may enroll. Several of the 4-H clubs in Morgan County do have Cloverbud 4-H programs available for youth ages 5 to 7. Five to seven year olds may only enroll in Cloverbud 4-H as a project.

A wide variety of projects are available from which to select. Traditional 4-H projects such as sheep, horses, swine, clothing, foods and gardening are still very popular. Other newer projects are also in high demand including shooting sports, outdoor adventures, outdoor cooking, baking, heritage arts, cake decorating, ceramics, model rocketry, sportfishing and junior leadership.

Many of the 4-H clubs in Morgan County are community clubs centering around a central locality with members enrolling in a variety of projects. Adults and older youth take leadership in those clubs, helping members learn project skills.

Activities are also an important part of the 4-H program. Youth are encouraged to give demonstrations. Demonstrations are a "hands-on" talk given for other youth about some phase of their 4-H project. Chances to practice life skills begin early as does encouragement to participate in or provide service to community programs. Youth learn the 4-H pledge and help with committee and club responsibilities. As youth grow older, they may expand their activities into county, district and state 4-H programs.

4-H is the informal youth education program of Cooperative Extension, teaching leadership and life skills to hundreds of thousands of youth every year across the nation. Resources for program development are available through our state land grant university, Colorado State. Extension educators can draw on Colorado State, other land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for information and support.

For more information about 4-H, contact a local 4-H leader or the Morgan County Extension Center at 542-3545.

Date: 2/21/06