NH 4-H: 4-H Programs in NH's North Country. Click here.

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"To make the best better", and "Learn by doing" - these are the motto and slogan, respectively, for 4-H, a nationwide youth organization run by the United States Department of Agriculture. Boasting an impressive and eclectic list of alumni that includes countless American politicians, businessmen, and entertainers, the organization has been shaping future community leaders for more than a century.

Locally, New Hampshire offers a number of 4-H programs in the North Country for area youths interested in participating. I spoke with Grafton County staff Donna Lee, 4-H Program Coordinator and Kathleen Jablonski, Field Specialist and Coos County staff Larry Barker, Field Specialist to learn more.

4-H at a Glance and Opportunities in the North Country

"It's about teaching kids subject matter and life skills in a fun, 4H Logo.

research-based environment," Barker tells me, "We present the kids with opportunities where they have a say. Kids will get together because they have a subject, then the leaders try to focus the group. Some are general interest, others are community service - they're really flexible. It's all about having guidance for a project."

Lee and Jablonski agree on the importance of quality direction to 4-H, noting the extensive training undertaken by all those involved in any particular project:

"We offer training for leaders, short courses and workshops for youth and their mentors. Project areas have specialized trainings and workshops based on the material available."

While not directly affiliated with the local schools, the training and utilities available to 4-H are often of use to area educators.

"Teachers often look to us for resources in the classroom," says Barker of Coos County.

"School personnel often attend our training if it is applicable to their subject matter or on a topic of general youth development interest," Jablonski adds, "We partner with several local schools on their afterschool programming. We also have a relationship with the North Country Boys and Girls Club."

For students, this willingness by 4-H to lend its extensive resources can provide a means of access to an otherwise unaffordable experience:

"Some clubs have dues to buy supplies," explains Barker, "but we try to structure the programs so there are no financial barriers."

Fundraisers and charitable donations from area businesses cover many costs, and 4-H is resolute in taking care of the rest:

"No youth is turned away due to inability to pay," say Lee and Jablonski.

It is this combination of opportunities and enthusiastic leadership that has allowed 4-H to thrive in the North Country.

Participation in the area programs typically approaches a couple hundred, though admission for many of the programs is rolling and students are free to join year-round. Further increasing the program's flexibility, both the Coos and Grafton county programs offer the 4-H experience in a number of deliveries, including camps and afterschool programs.

"We have over one hundred project areas," Jablonski explains, "so besides kids being involved in a traditional 4-H club that offers many projects or is a single-focus club (i.e. sheep, dairy cattle, community service, robotics, etcetera) we offer short courses of at least six hours in duration that involve kids in a specific project area."

According to Barker, these options are paramount to 4-H's appeal:

"One of the challenges we have is that kids are busy these days-we complete with school athletics, kids work. But the reason for our success is our flexibility - we have one group that even meets on Friday nights!" (Continued...)