A Letter to the Older 4-H Members

At our last county fair with young kids and a clover kid (pre-4-H) it was amazing to watch the relationship between young children and the older 4-H members. So here’s a letter to 4-H members everywhere:

Dear 4-H member,

First of all thank you for being involved. It’s so great to see young people involved and focused on the future of agriculture, communications and various other topics. You wear that shirt or emblem patch with so much pride it’s like a calling card to younger kids.

They stop to watch you, talk to you parents after a long, hot show day or give that presentation when you’re really nervous. They soak up everything you say and do on the wash rack or when you sell your animal or hang out in the barns. Your confidence and the fun that you are having just stuns them enough to stop right in their tracks and watch your every move.

It is truly amazing to watch this as a parent. To see what they learn from some of the most amazing people out there. To see their eyes light up when you let them pet a calf or help wash your chickens.

But do you understand the weight that this carries? Just like super heros you need to use this power, this influence for good. Teach them all about the 4 Hs, the pledge, the motto and the slogan.

Use your head for clearer thinking, your heart for better loyalty, your hands for larger service and your health for better living for your club, your country and your world. Teach the younger kids to win without bragging and lose without squealing, even on the toughest days. Show them how to make the best better.

You are the ones our children look up to during the fair and even throughout the entire year so please continue to be the positive role models that you are, just know the weight that it carries too.

Sincerely,

A farm momma with young kiddos