Guernsey County celebrates 100 years of 4-H - The Daily Jeffersonian

Contributed by Guernsey County OSU Extension Office

Guernsey County will kick off its 100th year of 4-H from Feb. 27-March 5. 4-H has always been a point of pride and excitement for many in Guernsey County and it dates back to 1922.

According to Ohio 4-H: Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H Youth Development, E. H. Reed was the agricultural extension agent who led 60 members and seven clubs in the first year of 4-H. "In 2021, 524 members enrolled in 32 4-H Clubs," said Michelle Fehr, 4-H youth development, extension educator. "Unfortunately, public health concerns over the last two years had a negative effect on our community club enrollment. Our enrollment grew some last year and we hope for continued growth in 2022."

Guernsey County has been served by several extension educators, formally known as extension agents, throughout its history. Since 1958, 4-H has been served by extension agents solely serving in the 4-H program area. Those agents include Richard W. Hill, Dane W. Mutter, Wendell Litt, Nicholas C. Calabro, Carolyn Wilson, Lisa Bradley, and Michelle Fehr.

4-H is a non-formal educational program for youth 5 years old and in kindergarten through Dec. 31 of the year a youth turns 19 years of age. Participants are encouraged to learn by doing, through various research-based curriculums delivered through community clubs, afterschool programs, school programming, special interest groups, and camping programs.

In addition to traditional community club involvement, the youth of Guernsey County participate in other 4-H programming. These include literacy awareness programs, financial literacy programs, residential camping at 4-H Camp Piedmont, and Cloverbud Outdoor Night. Older 4-H members have the opportunity to participate in countywide activities such as 4-H Junior Leaders, Junior Fair Board, Fashion & Food Board, and CARTEENS. Members are given the opportunity to apply for numerous scholarships, attend statewide 4-H camps, and represent Guernsey County and Ohio at national 4-H events such as Citizenship Washington Focus and National 4-H Congress.

4-H has the opportunity to help youth find their spark in so many areas; from animals to natural resources, nutrition to fitness, arts to woodworking, robots to genealogy, and electronics to cake decorating. The opportunities are endless with nearly 200 4-H projects available. 

In addition to attending local 4-H day and residential camps, members have the opportunity to participate in camps at the state and national level. "Whether it is through local opportunities, or opportunities at the state or national level, we want our 4-H members to find their spark, find what gets them excited and wanting to learn more," said Fehr.

To learn more about 4-H, contact OSU Extension Guernsey County at 740-489-5300, online at http://guernsey.osu.edu, or on Facebook at Guernsey County 4-H. The deadline to enroll youth for participation is April 1.