Since 1902, youth in Ohio 4-H clubs have followed the motto to “Make the Best Better” and Portage County Commissioners recognized the impact of 4-H by proclaiming March 7-13, Ohio 4-H Week.
In Portage County, more than 1,000 youth participated in 4-H in 38 community clubs and a variety of statewide Special Interest Clubs (SPIN Clubs) in 2020. “We had 838 4-H members in community clubs, 220 4-H members who participated in SPIN Clubs like the Outdoor Explorer 4-H club last summer, and 181 4-H adult volunteers who assist with programs, camps, fair, committees and serve as club advisors.” said Ashley Hughey, Portage County Extension Educator. “We also have some opportunities this year with some free programs like the 13 free 4-H project books, or the financial literacy program – Real Money, Real World. This past year we were able to shift our focus to help provide programs needed in our community in a different way”.
Tessa Wood, a teen 4-H member, presented about her 4-H career to county commissioners stating her various 4-H projects she completed, different camps she went to, and leadership roles she has taken through 4-H. She is a member of the statewide Teen Leadership Council, a Portage County CARTEENS volunteer and teacher, she was just recently selected as one of 20 youth across the state for the Youth Capital Challenge, and talked about her favorite experience of going to Washington D.C. through 4-H. She showed the commissioners her favorite 4-H project working with rockets and her clock trophy she won in 2019 which is the highest state award a youth member can get in their project area.
Portage County has two volunteers and a youth Teen Hall of Fame inductee who were recognized at the virtual Ohio 4-H Awards Recognition on Thursday, March 11th. Frances Pruchenski is celebrating 40 years as a 4-H Volunteer, Diane Bishop is celebrating 45 years as a 4-H volunteer, and Maria Lonneman is being inducted as one of four teens across the state into the Teen Hall of Fame, a first time for Portage County.
The Ohio 4-H Youth Development program is part of Ohio State University Extension in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
