Head, Heart, Hands and Health in Woodbury

Some suburban dwellers mistakenly believe that 4-H is only for country kids. Au contraire!

This 100-year-old organization is not exclusively about livestock and agriculture. 4-H offers opportunities for all kids in kindergarten through their first year of college to learn about things like technology, citizenship, fine arts and healthy living.

student Katherine Argo is president of a Woodbury 4-H club that meets monthly at Woodbury Estates. She leads the meetings assisted by a team of youth leaders and her mother, Karen Argo.

Karen says 4-H encourages kids to adhere to the Roberts Rules of Order during meetings. These young leaders do a splendid job of guiding their group through an agenda that includes items such as a needle arts club project, a science, engineering and technology project, a dog-training project and community pride projects.

So that’s what kids do in 4-H!

They choose project areas they’re interested in and participate in related hands-on programs and activities. They also share what they’ve learned through demonstrations so that all members can learn from each other.

For example, Oak-Land Junior High student Anna Elisa Souffront displayed her award winning global connections exhibit featuring her knowledge of the Dominican Republic. A younger member, Manashree Padiyath, gave a presentation about traditional Indian dance followed by a demonstration of her dance skills complete with authentic clothing, ankle bells and customary music!

There are enough educational project areas to satisfy most any young person’s interest.

Katherine says she mostly enjoys learning about and demonstrating her knowledge in creative arts and nutrition. She says it’s also a special thrill to have her projects entered and displayed at the Washington County Fair, where entries are awarded prize ribbons in various divisions. County fair blue ribbon winners then get the opportunity to enter their work in the Minnesota State Fair. I love the fair! I never miss the 4-H building and neither should you.

student Britta Bjerke is Woodbury 4-H’s secretary and has participated in 4-H since she was little. (The little ones are called Cloverbuds. The 4-H logo being a four-leafed clover to represent four values: head, heart, hands and health.)

Now Britta is a 4-H ambassador attending meetings at the government center once a month. She also volunteers at county workshops and at the county fairgrounds. Her interests include sewing, dog training, fashion review, photography and nutrition.

For those who still only associate 4-H with farm animals, Woodbury 4-H vice president Amy Carlson satisfies with her horseless horse demonstration. What?

Well, she rides and has for years. But since she can’t bring a horse to suburban 4-H meetings, she created a tri-fold poster demonstration summarizing her knowledge and background. She also enjoys gardening and sewing with 4-H.

The high school members assist and encourage younger members with projects ranging from knitting to scrapbooking, science to drama. There is much to discover from these bright young minds. So I encourage you to learn more about 4-H.

Because it’s not just for country kids!

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