Sowing Seeds of Success: How 4-H Prepares Youth for Life
By Esther Donohue
October 4, 2024
In this world of technology where hands-on learning and community involvement are more important than ever, 4-H stands out as a transformative program that shapes the lives of young people in our local communities. For decades, 4-H has been helping kids and teens develop life skills, build confidence, and learn the value of hard work and responsibility.
As someone who grew up in 4-H, participating in Range Judging and showing livestock, I’ve experienced firsthand how this program shapes lives. The skills I learned through 4-H have been invaluable in helping me become a successful entrepreneur, mother, and teacher.
4-H has also taught me the importance of volunteering in my local community. As one of the many adult volunteers in Nelson County 4-H, I am proud to help the next generation gain the same life-changing experiences that 4-H gave me.
What is 4-H?
A common misconception of 4-H is that you must live on a farm or raise animals to participate in 4-H events, but that is far from the truth. Even though 4-H emphasizes agriculture heavily, many of our members live in small towns and have never lived on a farm or owned an animal.
4-H is a youth development program (research-based) that has existed for over 100 years. Its mission is to empower young people to reach their full potential.
Representing the core values the program seeks to instill in its members, the “4-Hs” stand for:
- Head
- Heart
- Hands
- Health
Kids as young as five and up to 18 can join, and the program offers a wide range of activities and projects that cater to many different interests—whether agriculture, science, arts, baking, life skills, consumerism, or leadership.
Members who do not live on a farm can lease an animal from someone who does, which opens the door to education on animal care and farm-based learning.
Building a Stronger Community
4-H isn’t just about individual growth; it’s also about community. Through service projects, 4-H members learn the importance of giving back and making a difference in their communities.
Whether organizing a food drive, cleaning up a local park, or visiting a nursing home, these projects teach kids the value of helping others.
Many of our local clubs have invested money in their communities by donating to the local fire departments and parks and planting trees on Arbor Day. All the clubs even do a yearly ditch cleanup, which teaches our members the importance of a clean environment.
What’s more, 4-H creates a sense of belonging. For many kids, their 4-H club becomes like a second family—a place where they feel supported and valued. This sense of community is one of the main reasons why 4-H has such a lasting impact on its members.
How to Get Involved
If you’re interested in getting your child involved in 4-H in your own county or if you’d like to support the program in other ways, I encourage you to contact our local extension office.
4-H Clubs In Nelson County
Nelson County has three official 4-H clubs:
- Dakota Eagles: led by Esther Donohue, Nancy Charles, and Danielle Bjorlie. Located in the Pekin/Tolna area.
- The Bison Bunch: led by DeAnn Glaude, Josh, and Kaitlyn Jeramo. Located in Lakota.
- Lakota Cloverleaves: led by Brenda Steffan, Margaret Estvold, and Susan Dahl. Also located in Lakota.
Our clubs have 45 members, and we’re always eager to welcome new children interested in learning more.
Trayci Lagein is always happy to provide information and answer any questions. Her office is in the Lakota Courthouse.
Contact Information
Phone (701) 247-2521
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Read MoreAbout the Author
Esther Donohue lives on a farmstead near Pekin, North Dakota. She grew up in Nelson County and loves sharing her rural roots with others. She’s married to a fourth generation farmer, they have three children, numerous farm animals, and a massive vegetable garden.
Esther is a classically trained chef, operates a food truck, has a confection business and teaches Culinary Arts at Warwick Public school and recently started a blog, The Phat Hen where she shares her love for rural living and food.
When Esther isn’t working, she is enjoying the outdoors, time with family and quilting.
Follow her blog at www.thephathen.com and her food truck at Sweet Prairie Food Truck and her confection business at Rustic Rose Confections.
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