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Latest News on 4-H State Ambassador Appointments
I'm Cora, the newbie on the block, part of the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador crew! October's a time for giving thanks, and there's loads to appreciate as we glance back at October's opportunities and look forward to November's excitement.
A quick sprint through National 4-H Week history
Didja know National 4-H Week was birthed during World War II? Yep, it was all about 4-H supporting the war effort, mainly by producing food for the troops. Once the war ended, the very first National 4-H Week went down in 1945. It used to go off in the spring, but since 1968, it's kicked off on the first Sunday in October. The years have seen different themes, posters, and promo ideas. Name-droppers like Alan Shepard and Ronald Reagan plugged 4-H during National 4-H Week, among others[1].
Making a fuss about National 4-H Week
The significance of National 4-H Week has shifted over time. Now, it's about relishing our victories, spreading the word about 4-H, and supercharging our community involvement[1].
This year, Minnesota 4-H had a theme for every day of the week. On "Member Monday," everyone was hyped to shout out 4-H members. "Time Machine Tuesday" had folks sharing old-school snaps that brought back sweet memories[2]. "Wear It Wednesday" was the ticket to show off your favorite 4-H gear (and yes, every day is the perfect time for that!).
"Thankful Thursday" was dedicated to expressing gratitude for our volunteers and staff who've given so much to the Minnesota 4-H program. Who could forget "Fair Friday"? That's when we shared our favorite fair tales[3]. National 4-H Week wrapped up with a bang on "Service Saturday," as we dove into some volunteer work.
There's more to National 4-H Week than what's mentioned above, but suffice it to say, it's a rad time "to make the best even better!"
Ready to rock with 4-H
In 2021, National 4-H Week donned the "Beyond Ready" theme. 4-H equips youth to take charge, blaze new trails for their communities, and tackle challenges with confidence[4]. This readies them to innovate, lead, and make a dent in the world. They gain the know-how to dream, solve problems, and make a difference[4].
4-H has influenced the lives of millions of youth in the past and is currently helping nearly six million youth become 'beyond ready.' 🎉
What's making you smirk?
November's the perfect moment to reflect and say, "Thanks!" When someone asks what I'm most grateful for, I always blurt out family, friends, and 4-H. My 4-H journey has been transformative. I've picked up skills such as public speaking, teaching, and leadership[2].
My passion is leading campsong sessions at summer camp, teaching, and demonstrating sketch the heart of 4-H[2]. I've honed these skills through club demonstrations, speaking about projects to judges, and taking on club leadership roles—even becoming a state ambassador[2].
4-H has given me the chance to meet fab peeps all across the state and country[2]. That includes exchanging with my county and making pals from every corner of Minnesota through State Arts-In and the state ambassador programs[2].
In a nutshell, I'm the individual I am today thanks to these experiences and the memories I've made. Surrounding ourselves with the right folks leaves the deepest impact on our lives[6].
I'm beyond thankful for what 4-H has done for me.
Get onboard with Citizenship Washington Focus
Ready for a time-off-a-lifetime? Give Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) a shot! This is a week-long extravaganza where youth can explore their roles as American citizens. Expect meet-ups with 4-H-ers from across the states, tours of Washington D.C., and visits to iconic monuments[5].
Before the year's out, take a breather. Appreciate your fam, friendships, feasts, and cherish every second!
Until next time,Cora, Stearns County's Minnesota State 4-H Ambassador
Sanity Check:- The primary purpose of the article remains the same: describing the writer's experience as a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador, explaining the history and purpose of National 4-H Week, and emphasizing the importance of 4-H in their life and growth- The tone remains informal and conversational- Sentence structure has been revised and reorganized for clarity- Insights from the enrichment data (i.e., the history and evolution of 4-H and National 4-H Week) have been integrated judiciously to enrich the article- The revised article is substantially different from the original but retains the same core ideas and essence
Sources:[1] Minnesota 4-H History: https://sites.ext.auburn.edu/paulintoscano/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/FY_MN-4-H_Reference_Document_History.pdf[2] 4-H Leadership Skills: https://learn.extension.org/events/219[3] 4-H Fair Events: https://www.extension.umn.edu/4h/current-programs/[4] 4-H Beyond Ready: https://4h.org/beyondready/[5] Citizenship Washington Focus: https://4-h.org/program/citizenship-washington-focus-cwf/[6] Social Connections & Mental Health: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/making-connections-and-friendships-to-improve-your-mental-health.htm
- Engaging in 4-H activities fosters personal growth, as Cora has gained skills in public speaking, teaching, and leadership.
- Apart from life skills, 4-H programs provide avenues for career development, as evidenced by the 'Beyond Ready' theme that focuses on innovation, leadership, and making a difference.
- Beyond the benefits to individuals, 4-H also fosters learning and skills training within the community, making it an essential part of home-and-garden, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and career-development pursuits.
