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After
over 100 Years, 4-H Evolves Into Leading Youth Organization 4-H
may be one of the best organizations for young people today, but its
original goals were driven by a need to improve farming and food preservation
in the late 1800s. Today, the group is dedicated to keeping the virtues
of the 4-H pledge alive. 4-H members vow to keep their HEADS to clearer
thinking, their HEARTS to greater loyalty, HANDS to larger service
and HEALTH to better living. In 2002, the group celebrated its 100
year anniversary. A
membership in 4-H allows a young person to develop the skills and
confidence that will guide him through life and help mold him into
an active member of the community. Youngsters can map out their lifeÕs
journey with help from 4-H. Kids work with adult volunteers on various
projects that involve cooking, computers, raising animals, growing
plants, fixing and building various items, taking photographs, caring
for the environment and much more. 4-H projects may vary by state
and projects and may be handled on an individual or group basis. After completing these projects, 4-H kids develop a sense of pride
and accomplishment in a job well done. 4-H members usually have too
much fun with other kids at meetings, camps and fairs to realize that
they are learning valuable life lessons. In the club, members can
also advance to become junior leaders. 4-H welcomes adult volunteers
that may have knowledge of a certain craft or hobby. The club's hands-on
approach to learning has been very effective and fun for kids. 4-H
has come a long way from the days of being a gender segregated agricultural
club. Today, the club emphasizes the development of a civic-minded
attitude with special care given to personal growth. Today's youth
will ultimately become tomorrow's adult leaders and 4-H's goal is
to help prepare them run the community for the next generation. To
see your local 4-H in action, stop by the Warren County Farmers' Fair
July 28th through August 2nd at the Fairgrounds on Route 519. The
FFA (Future Farmers of America) have teamed with 4-H to feature various
animal and agricultural competitions and exhibits including a Small
Animal Show, Seeing Eye Dog Show, Games on Horseback, Dairy Show,
Horse Drill Team and Cat Show. Visit the 4-H building right on the
Fairgrounds property to find out how your child can benefit from a
membership or how you can become a much needed adult volunteer. For
more information, visit the 4-H National Headquarters online at www.reeusda.gov/4h
or the state website at www.nj4h.rutgers.edu.
The FFA Offers Many Benefits For Teenagers Did you know that over 22 million people in the United States work in some aspect of agriculture? This makes agriculture the largest employer in the nation. Your local Future Farmers of America (FFA) can help prepare your teen for one of the hundreds of careers in agricultural business, science or technology. Even if your child opts for another career field, being part of the FFA will help him or her gain valuable leadership skills, build confidence and work in a team unit. The FFA actually has active chapters in many major cities including New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. The FFA is over 450,000 members strong and growing. The FFA's motto, "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve" goes hand in hand with the organization's specific mission - enhancing young people's lives through agricultural education so they may have a successful future. The FFA instills the value of a good education, a healthy lifestyle, teamwork, environmental responsibility and a sense of achievement in every member. Listed below are just a few projects the FFA students work on throughout the year. Appreciation For Agriculture Every year the FFA attends the Warren County Farmer's Fair. Students gather at this event annually, bringing together their imagination and their agricultural skills to produce a landscape project. FFA students from several of the surrounding districts produce and maintain a backyard landscape display. Students volunteer their time for a little over a week to make a great display that showcases not only their talent and ability but also their appreciation for agriculture. Be sure to stop by the FFA Exhibit Building at the Fair and check out this year's top-notch display. Lending a Helping Hand Helping those less fortunate and reaching out to others during their times of need is an important aspect of the FFA. Other projects throughout the year include the Food Drive in November, and the Toy Drive in November and December. Many canned foods items, non-perishable items and even frozen turkeys are collected by students. Toys are also collected for children of all ages. Many are encouraged to participate to help make memorable holidays for the less fortunate. The Belvidere FFA, along with other students, worked throughout this past year in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit organizations. They worked hard to build houses in the area around Belvidere. They travel to places like Easton and Allentown and volunteer their time Visit www.ffa.org to learn more about the organization. .
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