By Matthew Anderson
School and fall have come to Interior Alaska. Now, as we start planning for the winter, 4-H clubs are ramping up with enrollment beginning Oct. 1.
One of the most common questions I get is, “What is 4-H?” Another is, “Do I have to own a horse or raise livestock to join?”
To answer those questions, 4-H is a youth development program run through land-grant universities, which in Alaska is the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The program is organized into clubs in nine districts across the state, all led by UAF staff and faculty.
4-H is the largest youth development organization in the country. Its focus is on providing a safe place to learn, grow, lead and prepare for the future. Every state has a 4-H program.
Alaska offers unique opportunities for 4-H youth. The Tanana District 4-H has 14 active clubs that encompass Fairbanks, North Pole, Tok, Eagle and Anderson, stretching down to Healy and surrounding communities. 4-H is for youth in fourth through 12th grade. In addition, Cloverbud clubs are for children aged 5-7.
While 4-H is often associated with livestock and horses, it’s about much more than that.
This year’s 4-H theme is “Beyond Ready,” which is interlaced through everything 4-H does. 4-H strives to develop skills in youth to be the best and not just be ready for the future, but to be “Beyond Ready” for the future.
The program gives youth the chance to develop valuable skills in everything from public speaking and leadership to STEM activities, robotics, baking and grilling. Other projects include gardening, shooting sports, civic engagement, and, yes, livestock. 4-H provides learning opportunities locally, statewide and throughout the United States.
Whether a youth is planning to go to college, trade school, or straight into the workforce, 4-H provides valuable skills for youth in our community and offers college scholarship opportunities.
In Fairbanks and the surrounding areas, our 4-H clubs are run by dedicated community volunteers who support and facilitate 4-H’s “Beyond Ready” goal and UAF’s goals. Some clubs focus on a single project, while others offer a variety of activities for members to explore. Each 4-H club provides unique opportunities and experiences.
4-H is always looking for volunteers who can help expand opportunities for the youth in our community. Volunteering for 4-H is a rewarding opportunity that will pay off for years because of the impact it has on the youth.
There are also opportunities for volunteers to start new 4-H clubs. Each club must have at least two trained and screened volunteers to help manage its activities. If you are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer, many different opportunities are available. This is a chance to share your passion or skills with today’s youth.
To learn more about 4-H, contact Matthew Anderson, Tanana District 4-H program coordinator, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, at 907-474-2427 or mranderson@alaska.edu. You can also visit https://www.uaf.edu/tanana4h.
