A note to editors: The following news release for National 4-H Week, Oct. 2-8, 2005, is being sent in advance in case you plan special coverage or congratulatory ads to celebrate Kansas 4-H’s Centennial year.

Consider using photos from your county fair, 4-H community clubs or local 4-H activities as the centerpiece for your ad page. Or, download the Kansas 4-H Centennial logo from Kansas 4-H Web site: www.kansas4h.org  and click on 4-H Centennial, or the 4-H message [“4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills”] art from the National 4-H Council Web site: http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/ , then click on news, then 4-H media resources, and then graphics.

For complementary news releases, check the 4-H Web site: www.kansas4h.org and click on news releases or the K-State Research and Extension News Web site: www.oznet.ksu.edu/news. Click on the link to Kansas State Fair.

Recommended releases include:
1.) Kansas 4-H Targets Hunger as Centennial Project
2.) 4-H Pledge Explains What 4-H is About
3.) 4-H Clover: An International Symbol For Youth
4.) Kansas 4-H’ers ‘Soldiered Through’ World War II
5.) Kansas 4-H Centennial Trivia Quiz
6.) New 4-H Centennial Cookbook Introduced (includes recipes)

For photos and captions, contact Donise Osbourn at 785-532-5806 or dosbourn@oznet.ksu.edu:
1.) 4-H Hunger Project Logo
2.) Art, 4-H Centennial logo
3.) Reproduction, 4-H pledge
4.) Retro 4-H posters
5.) The S.S. Otis E. Hall (World War II story)
6.) 4-H Clover Picture on Anderson Hall Lawn on the K-State campus.
Additional photos are available upon request.

Released: September 20, 2005

4-H Centennial Highlights Kids, Opportunities

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Since their introduction as boys’ and girls’ clubs in 1905, Kansas 4-H programs have served nearly 490,000 Kansas kids – almost half a million. That’s reason enough to celebrate Kansas’ 4-H Centennial, which began Sept. 10, 2005, and will continue through National 4-H Week, Oct. 2-8, 2005, and into next year before concluding at the 2006 Kansas State Fair.

About one in four children in the state have participated in 4-H programs, said Pat McNally, Kansas State University Research and Extension state 4-H leader. McNally herself is a former 4-H member from Barber County, Kan.

4-H programs were developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 4-H community club concept was introduced in rural areas as a way of offering supplemental educational programs for rural children who didn’t always have the educational advantages associated with urban areas, she said.

The delivery process used the state’s Extension system, which still extends research-based educational concepts from the state’s land grant university to its citizen constituents.

The youth development program continues to evolve and prides itself on serving children, teens and families in all parts of the state with opportunities for education and personal growth – in essence, the building life skills – as its goal, McNally said.

By 2004, only 14 percent of those who participated in Kansas 4-H programs were from farms. Eighteen percent were from rural areas, but not farms; 23 percent were from cities with populations of 10,000 to 50,000; 12 percent were from suburban areas; and 33 percent from cities.

Community club programs remain strong, she said. Currently, 866 4-H community clubs in Kansas offer children and families a way in which to get better acquainted with their community and to meet others with similar project interests.

Being a club member is not required to benefit, however. Research-based – and proven – 4-H educational curricula are being used to add value to after-school programs, other groups and clubs and to serve as a foundation for school enrichment programs and project-specific groups – which can range from aerospace project groups to bug clubs.

“Kansas 4-H also is working with the United States Army and Air Force to develop Operation Military Kids,” McNally said. “The goal is to develop and offer educational programs to help National Guard and reserve families who have a parent who has been activated and deployed.

“4-H programs are now established at Army posts and Air Force bases across the country, including Ft. Riley, Ft. Leavenworth and McConnell Air Force Base. The availability of the programs in a new environment can make settling in and getting acquainted easier.”

4-H programs typically serve boys and girls from ages 7-19, McNally said. Some counties also have a “Clover Bud” program for younger brothers and sisters who tag along.

In 2004, 49 percent of the Kansas participants were male and 51 percent female.

4-H currently offers more than 30 project topics, including a self-determined project that can be customized to build on personal interests, such as student government or a career in social service.

Last year, Kansas 4-H’ers completed 181,673 projects and programs, with the greatest participation in the foods and nutrition. Rounding out the five most popular projects in the state were arts and crafts; clothing and textiles, which includes buymanship (evaluating clothing, managing money and building a workable wardrobe); beef; and photography.

The fact that 4-H programs are research-based is one of the primary reasons they are enduring. But McNally also credited county Extension professionals and a dedicated volunteer base that assists with local program delivery and mentors children and teens through personal growth, development and career exploration.

To learn more about opportunities for children and teens with educational 4-H programs, Kansans can contact a county or district Extension office or visit Kansas’ 4-H Web site: www.kansas4h.org.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News