Mariposa-4H-002Across the country, 4-H will celebrate National 4-H Week 2014 Sunday, October 5-Saturday, October 11.  National 4-H week, celebrated annually, provides recognition to youth & leaders involved in 4-H programs.   With an expansive network reaching every corner of the country, 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. More than 6 million 4-H youth in urban neighborhoods, suburban schoolyards, military bases, and rural farming communities stand out among their peers: building revolutionary opportunities and implementing community-wide change at an early age. In the state of California there are more than 17,000 4-H volunteer leaders and serves over 100,000 youth.  This past year in Mariposa County there were 153 members and over 60 4-H volunteer leaders.

In Mariposa County the 4-H members from our 6 clubs: Bootjack 49ers, Catheys Valley, Clover Pioneers, Hornitos, Triangle and the Don Pedro Rattlers 4-H will be wearing their uniforms to school, church, doing presentations at schools & clubs, and inviting their friends, young and old, to join this wonderful Youth Development Program. 
Mariposa-4H-021From citizenship to archery to crafts, we have had over 60 volunteer leaders each year in Mariposa who have pledged their head, heart, hands, and health toward improving their members, the community, and themselves.  By pledging their heads, 4-H volunteer leaders contribute their knowledge and expertise to strengthen the 4-H Youth Development Program, and to help the young people of our community to grow into responsible adults. 

The California 4-H mission statement is: ‘The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program engages youth in reaching their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development’.  The 4-H YDP is an educational program to assist youth in their development by providing learn-by-doing educational projects, developing skills, leadership, citizenship, and partnerships for programming and funding which will benefityouth throughout life.  It also strengthens families and the local community by working together as a team.  4-H is not just animals; the Mariposa 4-H YDP is adding new projects each year to expand our youth’s knowledge. 
Mariposa-4H-006For this upcoming year, some of our projects are Hi 4-H (for 7th-12th graders), Junior Master Gardeners, self-defense, Cloverbuds (for K-3rd grades), livestock, Alpacas, beginning sewing, entomology, horse/pony, and more.  4-H also offers youth and adult conferences, workshops, leadership and officer trainings, camps for leaders and members, and outreach programs.  4-H camp is offered to 4-H and non-4-H youth in 4th-8th grades.

4-H-Enrollment-2014Along with 4-H clubs and projects, the youth program offers the School Enrichment Program, “Ag in the Classroom” which is sponsored by the Mariposa County Farm Bureau and County of Mariposa.  During this past year, over 16 teachers were able to check out curriculum to study Embryology, Ladybugs, Butterfly Gardens, Root-View Gardens, Honey-bee Life Cycle, and Composting.  Over 1100 students at the county schools, homeschool, Head-start programs, and pre-schools had ‘hands-on’ experience with this program. 

For youth joining 4-H to attend 2015 fairs with their 4-H projects, re-enrollment for current 4-Hers must take place by October 1 and new member’s enrollment must take place by November 1.  Enrollment fees are $34.00 for youth and $15.00 for volunteer leaders.  Volunteer leaders need to go through a new leader orientation and be fingerprinted before having project meetings with the youth. To complete a project, a minimum of six project meetings with ten hours of instruction is required for the leaders and members. 

If you would like to join 4-H as a member or project leader or have use of the ‘Ag in the Classroom’ materials, contact the UCCE office at 209-966-4829 or drop by the office at 5009 Fairgrounds Rd.