National 4-H Week This Week

This week is National 4-H week. 4-H gives young people the opportunity to learn valuable skills and form new friendships in their county and surrounding areas.

Pickett County Ag Extension Director Billy Garrett. The 4-H program is especially important in rural counties.

“In small communities like we have, the relationships that the kids can build, the goals that they can set and try to achieve, and one of the main goals of 4-H is to build life skills,” Garrett said. “With the youth that we have here in this county, a lot of times those life skills can go a long long ways.”

Garrett said the Pickett 4-H have faced challenges this year from the pandemic. He said in-person meetings and competitions have either been cancelled or moved online. 4-H recruiters will be allowed to enter schools again after spring break, the first time since March.

The 4-H hosts contests and camps for any youth from elementary age to high school. Garrett said some activities include 4-H Congress, speech contests, culinary demonstrations, and fashion competitions.

“It’s not just farming, it’s not just Ag, it’s not just animals,” Garrett said. “There are other things in 4-H that they appeal to some children, some youth, that may not live on a farm or live out in the country.”

Over 230 4th through 8th grade students in Pickett County are enrolled in 4-H, Garrett said. He said enrollment for public or homeschool children is free.