Today marks the start of 4-H Week in Iowa, promoting the clubs in which135-thousand young Iowans are members. That’s one out of every four studentsin grades K-through-12. Iowa 4-H youth development coordinator Mitch Hoyersays it’ll be a busy week. 4-H is sponsoring activities in all 99 Iowacounties — but it’s NOT just for farm kids. About 60-percent of 4-H memberslive on farms or in towns of ten-thousand or fewer. Hoyer says the projectsclub members can get involved with are all self-directed. From traditionallivestock and food/nutrition programs, there’s also sport fishing, scienceand technology, even aerospace. Hoyer says the spectrum of club members’ages helps to give 4-H a very solid, rejuvenating foundation.Sixteen-thousand adult volunteers are also involved in 4-H programs asleaders. For more information, call your nearest county extension office orsurf to “www.extension.iastate.edu/4H”, and that “H” has to be capitalized.
