By Steve Baker

Four Leaf Clovers can help build the lives of young people

On Wednesday, January 12^th, Denver Lake Norman Rotary Club welcomed Abigail Isom as its speaker.  Abigail is employed by Lincoln County Government and works with the Cooperative Extension Department in the position of County Agent, 4-H Youth Development.  She graduated from Western Carolina University with degrees in English Literature and German Language. Abigail was also involved in 4-H during her school years.

The official 4-H emblem is the very recognizable four-leaf clover with a white H on each leaf. I am sure that many of us have spent time looking for a four-leaf clover, which brings good luck. I still do when sitting outside in my yard, drinking a cold glass of Kool-Aid and eating a homemade peanut-butter cracker. The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. The stem of the 4-leaf clover always points to the right. The 4-H pledge: “I pledge My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to larger service, and My HEALTH to better living. for my Club, my Community, my Country and my world.”

The 4-H Clubs organization was formed between 1912 and 1914.  Its the Headquarters is in Washington, DC with offices in Kansas City, MO. The current membership is estimated to be 6.5 million in the United States, ages 5 – 21. Its purpose is “engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing in the field of their choice."

Lincoln County has a great staff of professionals that work with the 4-H members and offer many areas that can be explored:

Citizenship NC Focus – Hands on workshops, panel discussions, distinguished speakers and open discussion to help youth learn about state government

Entomology Events – Focused on Entomology education including presentations, essays, and insect collections

Other areas of interest include dairy events, horse events, college scholarships, poultry events, livestock events, public speaking contests, and 4-H “specialty camps”. These camps are created around a theme, such as, marine science & sailing, fish & game rendezvous, and horsemanship are just a few of these. I remember back quite a few years ago when the county fairs were a big draw.  Before the rules changed, they used to have a “Livestock” barn. This would be where you could find the prized livestock that were being judged. There was also a pie and cake baking contest, always worth checking out. All of this was part of the 4-H clubs at the schools

The Lincoln County Office for the Youth 4-H programs offers a wide variety of classes and workshops. One of its projects is a pollinator grow box. This is a “subscription box” program that delivers garden fun for the families right to their door. It is a partnership between North Carolina 4-H and the JC Raulston Arboretum and is intended to grow and nurture the agricultural curiosity of 4-H families. 4-H members can plant a pollinator garden with the plants and seeds that come in their box. They are able to raise live painted lady butterfly larva and then watch them turn into a butterflies. The pollinator grow box contains all the instructions and supplies that one needs to learn about pollinators.

The Lincoln County Cooperative Extension 4-H must adhere to Lincoln County guidelines as well as State and Federal guidelines. A service that prides itself on dealing directly with the 4-H members has had to shift gears in presenting its  programs. Now many of the programs are given to the 4-H members in pre-boxed kits with instructions and supported by accompanying videos. 4-H is for everyone. Adult volunteering is very important to maintain support for all of the projects. If you have experience or working knowledge about any of the 4-H projects, you would make a great volunteer.

To find more information about the Lincoln County 4-H program go to www.lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu. It is a tough job, and I am proud that we have some great people in Lincoln County Government that are doing a great service.