4-H members across Arkansas and the nation will have the opportunity to serve their communities and showcase service projects throughout October, which is National 4-H Month.
“October is the season for county fairs and a great time to highlight 4-H and all that 4-H has to offer,” said Angie Freel, interim associate department head for 4-H Youth Development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
4-H Day activities are planned for Oct. 12 and Oct. 18. Among the highlights:
• Oct. 12 – 4-H Entomology exhibits
• Oct. 12 – 4-H Giant pumpkin and watermelon contest
• Oct. 18 – 4-H Poultry BBQ cook-off
“Inspire Kids to Do” is the theme of this year’s National 4-H Week, which is part of the larger National 4-H month. Many Arkansas clubs have planned events that allow youth with opportunities to serve others.
Franklin County kicked off its month-long celebration on Oct. 1 with its annual County 4-H Achievement Banquet. Later this month, teen leaders will have dinner with Franklin County Quorum Court members and discuss their 4-H experiences.
Many chapters have planned events designed to give back to their communities.
Arkansas County 4-H members are hosting an annual 4-H Appreciation Coffee event on Oct. 8 at the Arkansas County Courthouse in DeWitt. They are also assisting with the 4-H Hamburger Supper on Oct. 17 at the Arkansas County Fairgrounds.
In Crawford County, 4-H’ers will celebrate with a 4-H Family Night at Frog Bayou Farms in Alma, complete with a corn maze, hay rides, ziplines and a rock wall.
The 4-H program is operated by the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the Division of Agriculture. It teaches leadership, citizenship and life skills to more than 14,000 students in grades K-12 who participate in 4-H statewide.
To learn about Arkansas 4-H, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit http://www.uaex.edu/counties, or visit Arkansas 4-H online at http://uaex.edu/4h-youth/. Follow the Cooperative Extension Service on Twitter at @uaex_edu.