Consider joining 4-H in the new year
It’s a new year! We have the same 4-H program available to
all ages 5-19. If you have had 4-H in your mind for quite some time and just aren’t sure how to get started, here is your answer and this is the time to get involved! There are new clubs forming, a new enrollment system, and some new events happening this year!
The first thing you can do is to call our Garland County Extension Office at 501-623-6841 and ask for the 4-H agent, Sara Jackson. From there, I can provide you with a list of clubs in the county. We have 10 clubs to choose from and each club has an adult club leader. I always suggest to potential 4-H members to reach out to those club leaders and ask questions! You are more than welcome to contact any of the club leaders so you can get to know more about what each club has to offer.
The wonderful thing about 4-H is that every 4-H club is different! There are clubs that focus on just one main project (livestock, cooking, sewing, leadership, etc.) or there are community clubs that talk about a little bit of everything. That is why our No. 1 advice is to visit more than one club to understand how the meetings are run and if you could see yourself as a great addition in the club.
Once you feel like you have the right fit, you can just let your club leader know and they will show you how to officially enroll in 4-H! Don’t worry, enrolling is completely free! If you decide to switch clubs, no worries. We will do our best to get you plugged in with a club that best fits your needs and goals for your 4-H experience. 4-H is what you put into it, and you would be shocked to know all the opportunities 4-H offers when you stick with it.
Now that you have decided on a club, it is time for you to choose your project! If there is something specific you are interested in, you can focus on just one, or you may add more! The 4-H categories are Healthy Living, Civic Engagement, and STEM and Agriculture.
Keep in mind that these are the three main categories, or “umbrellas” of projects. Just about anything and everything can fit under these categories. We have a list that is provided to new members, so no worries! If you are interested in something that is not on the list, just call the Garland County Extension Office and we can set you up with a self-determined project.
Since you have a club and a project now, this is your time to shine. You can begin working on your 4-H project at home, school, in your club, countywide, or statewide. Along with your project work, which is completely guided by you, you can participate in countywide and statewide events such as County Day Camps, State Camps, Competitive Events, Community Service Projects, Leadership Opportunities, and Scholarship Opportunities!
As you attend your monthly club meetings, events will come up. The clubs will talk about them and their experiences and if it is something you are interested in, you can sign up with your club or with the Garland County Extension Office. 4-H is not something to be afraid of. I encourage everyone to just become familiar and trust the process. If there are any questions at all, it doesn’t hurt to ask! So, let’s get this year started right by making that first step to “Making the Best Better.”
4-H information
There are 4-H clubs for Garland County young people who are 5 to 19 years old. For more information on all the fun 4-H activities that are available, call Sara Jackson at 501-623-6841 or email her at sjackson@uada.edu.
Master Gardener information
Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. They’re open to the public and guests are welcome. For more information, call Arin Shaffer, horticulture agent, at 501-623-6841 or email him at ashaffer@uada.edu.
EHC information
Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call Alison Crane, family and consumer sciences agent, at 501-623-6841 or email her at acrane@uada.edu.