Coshocton County celebrates 4-H week
Volunteer: Joyce Mullett recently received her 45 year volunteer award. She is pictured third, from the left in bottom row in a purple sweater. Mullett is organizational advisor for Keene Kountry Kids 4-H Club and also serves as a Key Leader for the county program. Photo contributed to The Beacon
COSHOCTON – March 17-23 marks Coshocton County 4-H Week, where we celebrate the volunteers and youth that are a part of the nation’s largest youth development organization. Coshocton County 4-H has a long history, having been started in 1917 when a corn club and a calf club were organized. The 4-H club program was officially organized in 1919 under the supervision of County Extension Agent G.C. Musgrove. By 1920 the club program expanded to more than 100 4-H members. Most of the girls’ clubs were focused on canning, because there was a need for the rural people to preserve their garden vegetables to eat during the winter. The boys’ clubs were livestock clubs, most of which were pig clubs.
Today the 4-H program in Coshocton County continues to educate youth with over 300 volunteers working with over 700 youth. Youth project areas have greatly expanded since the formation of 4-H with over 200 different projects to pick from in main categories including: Animal Sciences, Child and Family Development, Clothing & Textile Science, Creative and Leisure Arts, Food and Nutrition, Healthy Living, Home Living, Leadership and Citizenship, Money Management, Natural Resources, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, Self-Determine, and Workforce Preparation. This year’s 4-H Theme and 4-H Week activities focus around our theme of “4-H Unwraps the Potential in Youth,” a very fitting theme that can be seen by our many parents and volunteers as they watch youth excel in their chosen project area. There are projects for every child’s interests.
If you want to find out more about 4-H, now is a great time to join. 4-H is open for individuals age 5 and in Kindergarten to age 19. Interested individuals and community members can help us celebrate 4-H week by checking out our window displays decorated by 4-H clubs around town or visiting us at the OSU Open House. Each year during 4-H Week, clubs can participate in a window display contest for a prize. These window displays representing the club give us a glimpse at what the clubs participate in throughout the year. The OSU Extension Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the County Services Building (where OSU Extension is housed). This is a great opportunity for potential 4-H members as well as current members to check out project displays, participate in fun games and grab a snack. The open house is open to all public, along with 4-H, you will also have a chance to see the other program areas offered through our Extension Office including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Master Gardeners, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, and AmeriCorps Housing Corps. Come meet the staff, tour the office, and see what you could win in the silent auction.
A new activity for the community to participate in this year is a Wear Green for 4-H day on Thursday, March 21. So show your support for 4-H week by wearing green with your school, club, office, family, etc. and submit your picture to our county 4-H Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CoshoctonCounty4H. Entries will be eligible to win an ice cream party for up to 12 people if they receive the most votes. Entries are to be uploaded no later than 6 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
This year 4-H also wants to recognize a great volunteer. Joyce Mullett just received recognition at the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference held at the Convention Center for serving as a volunteer in the 4-H Program for 45 years. Mullett is organizational advisor for Keene Kountry Kids 4-H Club and also serves as a Key Leader for the county program. We thank Mullett for her continue support to 4-H and look forward to many more years having her as an excellent volunteer!
If you having questions about joining 4-H, becoming a volunteer, or about any of the 4-H week activities please contact the Extension Office at 622-2265.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
