What impact has 4-H had on your life?
Was it the structure of running 4-H meetings that you've transferred
into executive management skills? Was it doing your project work
throughout the year that exposed and guided your career choice of
today? Was it giving a demonstration that laid the groundwork for
the presentation skills you use every day or was it the just plain
'fun' that built friendships that will last a lifetime? While the
memories, knowledge and skills for each of us are unique they share
a common theme: 4-H has impacted our lives.
Here are some comments from both current 4-H members and 4-H alumni.
"When I was a teenager, 4-H gave me opportunities for new friendships,
new activities, and fun. I wrote and presented speeches and demonstrations.
I traveled to Washington, D.C. and Chicago. I met the President
of the United States - Gerald
Ford. I became a camp counselor and loved sharing my enthusiasm with
younger 4-Hers.
My 4-H projects kept me busy and I was active in Junior Leaders.
4-H gave me the confidence to apply for the Alice in Dairyland
position in 1981. I was selected the 1981-1982 Alice in Dairyland
and continued to work for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture
for 17 years.
But one of the best and most important results of
my 4-H involvement was meeting my husband, George Crave, at the
Rock County 4-H Junior Leader meetings. The Junior Leaders met
monthly and it was the Christmas Caroling party when George and
I got to know each other. We've been married 22 years now. Our
commitment to 4-H continues with our three children, Patrick, Brian,
and Roseanne who are members of the Dodge County 4-H, Portland
Boosters. And, George is a 4-H leader and I'm on the
Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Board."
Debra, Rock County
"How can I put a value on my 4-H involvement? What price
could I possibly ask in return for my 4-H memories, my 4-H friends,
my 4-H adventures, or my 4-H education? As Alice in Dairyland,
Wisconsin's Agricultural Ambassador, I am proud of my 4-H heritage
and believe it was an important stepping stone to where I am today.
4-H gave me the right start to a life I love. Projects and leadership
involvement showed me the joy of learning and helping others. Trips
like the State 4-H & Youth Conference,
National 4-H Congress, and Citizenship: Washington Focus gave
me a broader worldview and inspired me to keep traveling. Friends
and leaders supported me and helped me see my potential. I am who
I am today because of the challenges, the support, and the adventures
I had in 4-H."
Betsy, Dane County
"Some might say the climax of my career was being named to
the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in
1998. But I think the real climax began when I joined the 4-H Club
when I was a freshman in high school.
I was a freshman when my
mother, who had been a 4-H member in her youth, announced that
she was attending a meeting at our one room school for the purpose
of forming a 4-H club in our farm community, and she hoped that
my younger sisters and I would join. I said I wasn't interested,
so I didn't
attend the meeting. The next day I learned that I had been elected
as secretary! Well, now I felt obligated, so I became a member.
All subsequent events and opportunities were related to abilities
first developed in 4-H. Skills in leadership, teaching, organization,
training, planning, management, writing, speaking, communication,
problem-solving, cooperation all began in 4-H. Wherever I was or
whatever I was doing, my 4-H experience made all the difference.
My gratitude goes to all those dedicated people who helped along
the way."
Russell, Waukesha County
For additional information, please contact the Wisconsin 4-H
Foundation at 608-262-1597 or Email: donna.faulkner@uwex.edu
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