National 4-H Week began on Sunday and goes all week long. We had the chance to hear from four individuals who play huge roles in the success of 4-H clubs around the state including the Brown County Positive Youth Development Educator, Melinda Pollen. Brown County is home to 16 4-H clubs that meet on a monthly basis throughout the area.
Pollen explained that when it comes to 4-H, there’s a misconception that needs to be talked about. “I think there’s a big misconception out there about living on a farm, raising an animal, that you have to do those things to be a part of 4-H.” She said that yes, that was the founding idea of the organization, but it became way more than that. 4-H isn’t only set aside for those who have a connection to agriculture anymore, it’s for any youth.
Brown County does a lot to involve kids from all over the area using S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, and math), as well as summer camps. The county focuses a lot on S.T.E.M. programs to help youth build upon the skills they’ll need in the workforce when it comes to robotics, design, and engineering industries, but also life in general. “It’s also the life skill side of communication, and critical thinking, and conditionals,” she said.
Pollen and the Brown County team think about the projects they’re putting together as a way to build a child’s resume to prepare them for life after 4-H. “When I think about the experience of a 4-H member, I can see young people coming in third, fourth, fifth grade, quiet, reserved, sitting in the back of the room, maybe coming to one of our programs,” she explained. “To see that young person now speaking publicly doing an interview with us…the growth that I’ve been able to see in those young people is pretty amazing.”
To hear the full interview with Melinda Pollen, you can check out the agriculture podcast page. If you or someone you know would like to join a local 4-H Club, you can locate and reach out to your county extension office for more information.
