Commissioners proclaim 4-H Week in Highland County

Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst proclaimed the week of March 2-8 as Highland County 4-H Week, during the Wednesday, Feb. 26 board meeting.

Commission Vice President Jeremy Shaffer was absent due to a professional training requirement.

The proclamation was presented to Kathy Bruynis, Ohio State University Extension educator for 4-H Youth Development and county director.

Also attending the presentation were past, present and future 4-H Club members: Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins, Makenzie Arnold and Tommy Arnold.

Bruynis discussed many of the 4-H projects available to local youths, ages 5-19.

Last year, local 4-H clubs had more than 850 members from Highland County. In addition, the Extension office provided educational services and programs to 1,500 to 2,000 local youths.

"We are the No. 2 child service educational entity in Highland County – behind the schools," Bruynis said.

Bruynis mentioned traditional 4-H projects, animal projects and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects available for area youths.

In addition, this year's 4-H Club Round-Up – an opportunity for parents and youths to interact with 4-H members and advisers to find out more about 4-H and to sign up for a club – will be held on March 20 from 6-8 p.m. in the Wharton Building at the Highland County Fairgrounds.

This year's STEM Camp will be June 3-5, 2014. Registration forms available at http:go.osu.edu/STEMCamp14

According to www.ohio4h.org, 4-H began in Clark County, Ohio.

"On Jan. 15, 1902, Mr. Albert Belmont Graham, the superintendent of the Springfield Township Schools at that time, organized a meeting with some 30 boys and girls in the county courthouse basement. The intent behind the meeting was to learn more about harvesting corn, planting a garden, testing soil samples, tying knots in rope and identifying natural wildlife such as weeds and insects. Eventually, the group came to be called the "Boy's and Girl's Agricultural Club" with their research continuing well into 1903. Prizes were given to recognize the efforts of all the members in executing projects based upon the previously mentioned areas.

"Given the success of Graham's program, Ohio State University created a plan to aid in the club's research through the use of the Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. In time, the Ohio State University's influence helped to establish additional youth agricultural clubs throughout Ohio. By 1905, there were over 2,000 youths within 16 counties partaking in similar programs to that of the 'original' Agricultural Club. Proving extremely successful in his practices, Graham accepted the position as Superintendent of Extension for Ohio."

For more about 4-H, go to http://www.ohio4h.org or contact your local OSU Extension office at http://highland.osu.edu/staff.