91��Ƶ 4-H kicks off new program year with a special day

Julie Stricker
907-474-5406
Oct. 1, 2024

A youth in bright orange rain gear perches on a damp log holding a scalloped yellow chicken-in-the-woods fungi. — Photo by Jasmine Shaw
A member of a Sitka 4-H club examines chicken-in-the-woods fungi during an outing in the forest, one of many hands-on activities available for 91��Ƶ youth in 4-H.

Youths and volunteers across 91��Ƶ are enrolling in 4-H as the program year begins this October. They're also celebrating the inaugural 91��Ƶ State 4-H Day on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and National 4-H Week, Oct. 7-12.

4-H began in 1902 to teach young men new farming techniques. Today, it is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States. 4-H youths tackle hands-on projects in subjects such as health, science, agriculture and civic engagement. They are encouraged to take on leadership roles in a positive environment with guidance from adult mentors. 4-H has been active throughout 91��Ƶ since the first clubs were established in Fairbanks in 1930.

In 91��Ƶ, 4-H is part of the University of 91��Ƶ Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, which is in the Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension. Clubs are located in more than a dozen communities, both rural and urban, around the state. For more information and to learn how to join a local 4-H club, visit /ces/4-h/.

This year, the clubs in 91��Ƶ have a special reason to celebrate. In February 2024, a group of 4-H youths traveled to Juneau to advocate for the creation of a state 4-H day. Rep. Donna Mears of Anchorage, who was a member of 4-H throughout her youth, sponsored the bill, which flew through the Legislature.

On Aug. 24, 91��Ƶ Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed House Bill 33, establishing the first Wednesday in October as 91��Ƶ State 4-H Day, which this year is Oct. 2. 4-H clubs around the state are celebrating by encouraging members to wear green clovers and holding special events, such as ice cream socials, craft nights and flag-sewing gatherings. Kodiak 4-H is sponsoring an art contest with the theme “Show Love for 91��Ƶ 4-H.” The winning artwork will become stickers for all 4-H’ers in 91��Ƶ. Anchorage 4-H is holding an open house on Oct. 26. For more information, contact Anchorage program director Allison Bruchhaus, aabruchhaus@alaska.edu.

National 4-H Week is the official kickoff of the 4-H year. The theme is “Beyond Ready,” which focuses on how the organization is “building a ready generation in a world of change.”

The four Hs are head, heart, hands and health.

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