4-H organization not just for ‘farm kids’

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

Cows and rabbits and pigs … oh my. Try robotics, sewing or rockets … oh yes.

Truth be told, 4-H is way more than milking cows or feeding the hogs. It’s developing a resume. It’s learning professional development. It’s public speaking.

Once thought of as a club for “farm kids,” the organization devoted to youth development has shattered that stereotype and children everywhere are reaping life-long benefits, while making friends and memories along the way.

Locally, Heather Gottke oversees a thriving Van Wert County 4-H program, which boasts 550 members. Once a 4-Her herself, Gottke knows first-hand the values and leadership skills 4-H provides. As the local coordinator since 2009, Gottke spends time planning activities, grant writing and filing paperwork to submit to the Ohio 4-H organization in Columbus. In short, she’s somewhat of a “jack of all trades.”

“We’re definitely focused on the traditional projects, but we also focus a lot on teen leadership development with our Buckeye Ambassadors and our camp counselors,” she said. “We actually have a lot of flexibility in being able to offer new and creative opportunities for kids.”

Children are young as the third grade are able to participate in competitive 4-H, while the non-competing Cloverbud program is open to children ages 5-9. Before coming to Van Wert, Gottke interned in Allen County, which gave her experience and ideas to bring to the local program.

The county 4-H program offers approximately 220 projects. Ironically, only 20 of those projects involve some type of livestock, debunking the myth that 4-H is only for “country kids.”

“We obviously have those livestock projects, but we have so many other projects as well that focus on science and engineering, robotics, sewing and many others,” Gottke said. “When we go into the schools to talk about 4-H, we let the kids know it’s okay if you’re not from a farm. That used to be the stereotype behind 4-H, but this is definitely a youth organization, not just a rural youth organization.”

Stacia Burgoon of Van Wert also knows the benefit of growing up with 4-H and is looking forward to getting her two sons involved in the organization. As a member of 4-H for 12 years, Burgoon said 4-H taught her critical life lessons that she still carries with her today.

“It taught me independence and responsibility,” she said. “It also taught me how to keep a job, have patience and it kept me away from drugs and alcohol and made me concentrate on more fun activities.”

Ask any 4-Her about those “fun” activities, and they will immediately mention the annual 4-H Camp Palmer, which is held in Fayette. “We take a little over one hundred youth every year, and they get to experience things like shooting sports, high ropes, and just a lot of different activities where they’re interacting with new friends,” Gottke said.

Camp counselors are already preparing for the annual trek, and are looking forward to this year’s “Dr. Seuss” theme.

“It’s a really exciting time for our counselors right now, and they’ve got a lot of really neat things planned for camp this year,” Gottke said.

Robin Kraner of Ohio City has two children who have been involved in 4-H for five years now, and Kraner wholeheartedly agreed that 4-H is much more than chickens and cows.

“We don’t have any farm animals, but each year the kids are challenged with doing projects that teach them about life: like growing a garden from start to finish, or how to tie ropes,” Kraner said.

This year, Kraner’s children have taken on scrapbooking projects and will also house chicks to provide eggs for the family. “Chris is also doing beekeeping and exploring Ohio’s forests. It really teaches them so much about helping the community,” she noted. “Next weekend we will clean up the entire area of Liberty Township by picking up trash along the township roads.”

Kraner’s husband, Mitch, also grew up in the 4-H program raising dairy cows, teaching him responsibility and how to produce milk. “It instills a sense of pride and self-worth when you go to the fair with your animal and show it, whether you win a ribbon or not,” he said. “It’s really an accomplishment.”

4-H members work on their projects throughout the year, and their efforts are displayed during the Junior Fair program at the Van Wert County Fair.

“That gives the kids the opportunity to show off their hard work and the time and effort they are putting into these projects,” Gottke said. “It’s just a really great way to meet new friends and try new things. There are so many different projects to choose from. There is definitely a fit for everyone.”

The deadline to register for 4-H is April 1. More information can be found at www.vanwert.osu.edu, or by checking out the local 4-H Facebook page.