Submitted courtesy of Toby Brown
Few, if any, organizations can match 4-H when it comes to generational loyalty.
…Especially in a small, farming community such as this.
It’s a family heirloom in the form of a club.
The projects may have evolved from the corn and cooking clubs of past generations to today’s more advanced realm of drones, robots, computers and 3-D printing, but the bond between generations remains as strong as ever, as mothers and fathers work with daughters and sons to prepare their projects for their annual show.
Carmi’s Kiwanis Club got to hear from some local second-generation 4-Hers at its weekly meeting Thursday in the Farm Bureau building. Kiwanian Amy McCarty is the Program Coordinator for the White County 4-H program, and she brought her daughter, Grace, and seven other children of current Kiwanis Club members to speak about their upcoming projects for White County 4-H Week, to be held July 9-13.
“Our clubs are active in community service and continue to make an impact,” said A. McCarty. “Whether it is cleaning out flower beds at the local nursing home, placing flags at veterans’ graves in honor of our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, preparing a sweet treat for seniors around Valentine’s Day or writing cards and letters to soldiers overseas, our members are making a positive impact in our communities.”
White County is celebrating its 95th year of 4-H and is currently enjoying a healthy enrollment, according to A. McCarty.
“We currently have six active clubs in our county,” she said. “The Grayville Go-Getters, Crossville Prizewinners, Centerville Ripsnorters, the Mad Hatters, Enfield Blue Ribbon and the 76 Clovers of Norris City. We also have a very active Shooting Sports SPIN Club and now a White County 4-H GIFT Garden SPIN Club.”
Some 120 White County 4-H members are enrolled in over 704 exhibits for the upcoming White County 4-H shows. Members display their projects, are interviewed by a judge and receive a rating based on the overall quality of the project and interview. According to A. McCarty, the ultimate goal for every 4-H member is to be selected as a Best of Show winner, state fair delegate or grand champion.
Besides G. McCarty, the other 4-Hers who spoke were Annsley Healy (daughter of Kiwanian Holly Healy), Payton and Trey Dixon (children of Kiwanian Amy Dixon), Issie and Abbie Bryant (daughters of Kiwanian Sandra Bryant), and August Saunders (son of Kiwanis President Alan Saunders).
G. McCarty displayed one of her sewing projects, A. Healy brought along a chair she had recently painted for visual arts, P. Dixon was accompanied by her dog, Jax, that she has trained and also displayed one of her art pieces, T. Dixon talked about the sheep he will be showing, I. Bryant displayed one of her sewing projects, A. Bryant displayed one of her paintings for visual arts, and Au. Saunders talked about a heifer he will be auctioning off.
For additional information on 4-H, one may contact the White County Extension Office at 382-2662.
