Ward County 4-H begins a new year
Gabe Scheresky showing his dog during Ward County Achievement Days in June 2019.
The new 4-H year is here and it is the perfect time to get signed up and be a part of the nearly six million members of 4-H nationwide, according to a press release from the NDSU Extension Service. You do not have to be from the county or show an animal to be a member. Many 4-H members are from urban or suburban settings – 3.4 million of them whereas 2.6 million members are from rural areas. There is no doubt that many 4-H members put many hours into working with their animals; however, many more participate in static exhibits (non-living) projects, participate on judging teams, participate in shooting sports, and attend state and national youth leadership gatherings.
4-H provides life experiences and positive development for youth. Research done by Tufts University shows that 4-H members are four times more likely to give back to their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices and two times more likely to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. This positive environment is made possible by the 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4-H professionals across the world who provide caring and supportive mentoring.
If your family is interested in joining, attending a local 4-H meeting is a great way to get started. Ward county has 13 4-H Clubs in Berthold, Carpio, Des Lacs, Granville, Kenmare, Max, Ryder, South Prairie, and Surrey areas. Some of the clubs listed below have already had their first meetings; however, it is not too late to join. Upcoming meetings include:
*Souris River Wranglers: Location: Sawyer City Hall, 104 Dakota Ave, Sawyer, N.D. at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. The club will be voting in new club officers and making plans for the new 4-H year.
*Rocky Acres: Location: Max Civic Center, 215 Main St., Max on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1:00 p.m. The club will be voting in officers, planning the year’s projects and community services, eating ice cream cones and creating a fall toilet paper pumpkin. This club meets the 3rd Sunday of each month.
Cloverbud members focused on engineering at Activity Day November 2018.
*Trailblazers: Location: Gooseneck Implement – conference room, 49191 US-52, Kenmare, N.D. on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m.
*Prairie Ryders: meeting was held Sept. 5. Raelyn Williams, 4-H member, led a group project on how to make ice cream in a bag. The club elected officers.
*Afton Country Kids: held their first meeting this past Sunday, Sept. 8.
*Prairie Tumbleweeds: meeting was held Sunday, Sept. 8. They had a potluck followed by an emergency first aid presentation called “Stop the Bleed.”
For more information about Ward County 4-H, or if interested in joining Ward County 4-H as a youth member or a volunteer, contact Emily Goff, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent at NDSU Extension Ward County by calling 857-6450; visit https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/wardcountyextension/4h-and-youth; or visit the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ward-County-4-H.
Submitted Photo Michael Mai presenting during Communication Arts about his “Super Deker” — a fun tool used to train hockey players.
Submitted Photo North West District 4-H Archery Match in Minot February 2019.