4-H Happenings
 Cooperative Extension Service - Breathitt County
1155 Main Street, P.O. Box 612, Jackson, KY   41339  
Phone: (606) 666-8812, Fax: (606) 666-2566    
 E-Mail:  ces.ca.uky.edu/breathitt/

       4-H News

                                                                            Breathitt County 4-H Goes to the State Fair

                                                                                            On Friday August 15^th, Breathitt County 4-H was fortunate enough to have two teams
                                                                                            at this year’s Kentucky State Fair 4-H Avian Bowl Competition.  Team one consisted of
                                                                                            Hannah Stewart, Michelle White and Derrick Abner.  Team two was made up of Justin Baker,
                                                                                            Chase Deaton, Dallas Gross, and Amber Chaney.  The 4-H Avian Bowl competition is a
                                                                                            quick recall double elimination tournament type competition where teams are tested on their
                                                                                            knowledge of poultry.  The team that has the most points at the end of each round moves on
                                                                                            in the tournament.  The top four individuals who score the most points overall are then asked to
                                                                                            go to the National 4-H Avian Bowl Competition in November to represent the Kentucky Team. 
Both teams practiced hard before the competition and were very prepared to take on the other teams from across the state.  By the luck of the draw, both teams faced one another in the first elimination match.  Team one came away a winner of that match and went on to place 4^th overall in the competition.  Each team member received a blue ribbon and is looking forward to competing again next year.  Hannah Stewart did a great job and only missed out on going to the National Competition by 10 points.  This is the first year that Breathitt County has had a team in the Avian Bowl in quite some time and we are very proud of these individuals.

Special thanks go out to Mrs. Sherrie Stewart, Breathitt County FFA Advisor, for recruiting and helping work with these individuals.

School Clubs

The 2008-2009 School Clubs will be having their first meetings beginning in September and October.  I have already made initial contact with most of the teachers in the schools and will be starting clubs at that time.  Many teachers have expressed interest in having a club in their classroom and I am looking forward to working with them in the near future.  If you would like a 4-H Club in your classroom please have your teacher call 666-8812 today.

              Ty Back, County Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development

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Why Should I Join 4-H?

            “Why should I join 4-H?”  That is a question that many kids find themselves asking when they enter fourth or fifth grade and encounter one of their first opportunities to join this worldwide youth organization.

The reasons one should join 4-H are nearly endless. 4-H is the dynamic, informal educational youth program of the Cooperative Extension Service that combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, the University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University and local and federal governments.

Anyone from age 9 through 18 can join 4-H.  When 4-H began 100 years ago, almost everyone lived on a farm. That’s not true anymore. 4-H happens wherever kids live – in large cities, small towns, rural areas, on farms and even on military bases. 

There are several ways youth can be involved 4-H, but the most popular way is probably through a 4-H club. All it takes to start a 4-H club is a couple of adults willing to work with a group of interested kids. Clubs meet in places like schools, libraries, community centers and even barns. Youth can also be involved in 4-H as part of the curriculum at school or through camp, special interest groups and after school child-care programs. If youth like to work alone, they can do a self-study project at home with family members.

The amount of activities offered by 4-H to youth are virtually endless as well.  Youth can attend 4-H camp, a weeklong experience that allows them to make new friends that are interested in improving themselves and their communities, and above all else, having fun.  4-H camp also permits youth to associate with older 4-H members, teen and adult volunteers and extension agents that serve as camp counselors and mentors to help them develop into responsible, productive citizens.

One of the best things about 4-H camp is the number of activities that youth have the chance to experience. Camp offers archery classes, arts and crafts, swimming, recreation, zip-line and numerous other sports, classes and activities. It is truly a fantastic experience for all those in attendance. 

From 4-H, youth not only learn valuable skills and practices that will benefit them for the rest of their lives, but they also learn about leadership, responsibility and self-discipline that will help them to better the future of society as a whole. 

To learn more about 4-H opportunities in Breathitt County contact the Breathitt County Cooperative Extension Service at 666-8812.