by Mary Houle, Shelburne News' Master Gardener

Leaders and participants
The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, and the life skills of youth through mostly experiential learning programs. Although typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization because of its history, today 4-H focuses on citizenship, healthy living, as well as science, engineering, and technology programs.
4-H Growing Connection

This 4-H program has a garden-enhanced nutrition education curriculum emphasizing making healthy food choices. One of the primary goals is that youth will increase their preference for fruits and vegetables by developing life skills to grow a garden, prepare, and preserve food in a safe way.

Specifically designed with the "outdoor classroom" in mind, lesson plans include fun, hands-on activities where students learn by doing. The curriculum is enriched by a variety of group building games and activities, cooking recipes, and additional resources on gardening and nutrition education. It is divided into five sections: gardening, food safety, nutrition, food security, and food preservation.

4-H Growing Connections has been successfully used by school age childcare education programs, organized 4-H day camps, school enrichment programs, summer food service programs, parents, Master Gardeners, and adult volunteers. The written curriculum is designed for youth age 5-12, but can be adapted for older youth.

A variety of 4-H programs
There are several programs designed to introduce schoolchildren to the world of nature and healthy eating and 4-H is one of the oldest long standing groups that offers this information. All it requires is a willing leader, and an interested audience. Although it appears sudden that there is an increased interest in growing a food garden, 4-H has always promoted this activity. As a schoolchild, my family participated in two of the many 4-H programs offered. I joined a sewing club and my brother enrolled in a farm program. The coolest thing about the membership was the chance to win a ribbon at the fair for whatever you entered to show that your work was successful.

I entered a sewing project in the Champlain Valley Fair and won a first prize ribbon. I still have it somewhere. Other children from farm families excelled in growing vegetables and raising farm animals. At the fair the calves and horses were washed, brushed and combed for the judging competition. Now discontinued, but then animal owners could stay overnight at the fair with their animals. All vegetables on display were either fresh or they were home canned. Finished handmade items (sewn, knit or other hand worked items) were brought to the fair as well. Perfect seams and perfect stitches and knit items were blocked and pressed neatly. For fabric items, every dangling thread was snipped short and the item ironed flat. Every entry was placed categorically for public display and then judged for merit ribbons accordingly. It was and still is a big deal to have your work on display at the premier country fair in Vermont.

What follows is the 4-H pledge and it still stands up today.

The 4-H pledge
I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service and
my Health to better living, for my club, my community,
my country, and my world.