'4-H is a good program that keeps children engaged'

It is National 4-H Week. Glenn County supervisors got into the spirit of the event Tuesday by proclaiming Oct. 3-9 as National 4-H Week in Glenn County.

They were addressed by County 4-H all-stars Natalie Massa and Kassidi Buttermore, who read the proclamation to the board.

Massa is involved with Clover 4-H Club in Willows and is a sophomore at Willows High, while Buttermore belongs to Orland 4-H Club and is a freshman at Orland High School.

The girls noted 4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in California and the largest in the nation with 6 million young people. They said 130,000 4-Hers are in clubs across California and there are 20,000 adult volunteers in the state.

In Glenn County, 4-H is a big deal because the program numbers 4,034 members and has 159 adult volunteers, officials said.

It is part of the University of California, Davis, Cooperative Extension system and is a program where children and teens can learn through hands-on experiences with science, engineering, technology and more.

Raising livestock for county fairs, having horse projects and doing other agricultural activities are strong components of the organization, but officials note there are many opportunities for participation.

Members have the choice of 50 projects from college-bound activities to quilting and sewing.

Nutrition and foods, archery, arts and crafts, swine and sheep were some of the most popular projects this past year in Glenn County, 4-H officials said.

Enrollment is open to youth from 5 to 19. Glenn County's 4-H program began in 1913, and the first Glenn County club was organized in 1914. It was the second club in California at that time.

Supervisor Leigh McDaniel told Massa and Buttermore he had some "fun" math facts for them.

He said his quick calculation indicates close to 3 percent of California's 4-H members live in Glenn County, which is a big number considering its population.

"I believe as do the other supervisors, 4-H is a good program that keeps children engaged," McDaniel said.

Orland resident Byron Denton fondly recalled his days as a 4-H member.

"That was a 100 years ago," he joked, since Denton is in his 80s.

He added it's been around a long time and kept him out of trouble while he cared for his calves. "I cried every time they hit the scales."

Original article: www.willows-journal.com/news/county-5475-glenn-california.html.

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