LAGRANGE, Ind. — The LaGrange County 4-H program is still looking for youth in grades K-12 who are interested in having fun and learning at the same time. Indiana 4-H is a voluntary youth development education program coordinated by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and volunteers from all 92 counties.
Its primary objectives are to assist young people in acquiring marketable skills as well as citizenship and leadership experiences. Enrollment can be completed by visiting the Purdue Extension home page at www.extension.purdue.edu/lagrange or by contacting the office at 260-499-6334. Indiana 4-H enrollment will close on May 15.
4-H is one of the largest youth development organizations in the world. Today’s 4-H is for all grade-eligible youth, who are welcome and have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, or disability.
This year marks the 114th year of the Indiana 4-H program. During 2017, some 130,000 Hoosier youth participated in its educational programs. A study of 4-H participants completed in 2010 indicated that they are are nearly twice as likely to get better grades in school; twice as likely to plan to go to college; 41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors; and 25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities.
4-H focuses on empowering school-aged youth to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood by developing marketable competencies in specific projects as well as citizenship, sportsmanship and leadership capabilities. Young people are given the opportunity to engage in activities that hold their personal interest while being guided by adult volunteers.
Originally focused on agricultural interests, 4-H has followed the needs and motivation of young people into urban and suburban communities. A wide range of learning opportunities are available for LaGrange County youth in grades 1-12, including such topics as beekeeping, computers, creative writing, sewing, foods, electricity, agriculture and livestock, scrap booking, fishing, aerospace, photography, reading, recycling, shooting sports education and sports.
In LaGrange County, more than 50 projects are available for 2018. A highlight of the 4-H program year is the annual fair exhibit. This year’s LaGrange County 4-H Fair is set for July 14-21.
The 4-H program combines the resources of LaGrange County government, business and private sponsorships, Purdue University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the voluntary efforts of its members and adult leaders.
Interested youth and families should contact the Purdue Extension office at 260-499-6334 for information or enrollment assistance.
— Purdue Extension, LaGrange County