Smith County 4-H Members Work Together for the Community

by Abbye Hendrich, 4-H Program Coordinator, Smith County

What gives you a sense of accomplishment? Meeting a deadline? Making a friend smile? Well, for 25 4-H youth and their parents, accomplishment came in the form of dirt, shovels and garden gloves. But there was also something much bigger at work here. A mind-set of selflessness and dedication. An attitude of eagerness to give back to their community.  

It was a beautiful Saturday morning and the Home on the Range Nature Trail was all abuzz with activity. A conglomeration of 4-H youth and parents arrived at their freshly tilled plot, armed with shovels and rakes, ready to plant a beautiful array of Kansas Native Grasses.

 

"It felt good to give something to my community that will be enjoyed for years to come", stated Jaden Meyer, 4-H Council Treasurer. 4-H members worked together efficiently, eager to accomplish the end goal. Older youth helped the younger children, turning the job into a learning opportunity. "I like working as a team that completed a project that will last for years so come. 4-H always provides opportunities like that", explained Kendra Billings, 6 year member of Busy Bees.
 

Not only was it a learning opportunity for the 4-H youth, but also a way for them to contribute to Smith County. "It was a good experience for us all to work together and be outdoors to contribute to something that is important to our county!" Katelin Ifland, 6 year member of Solomon Valley, exclaimed. And that is the exciting thing about generations uniting and working towards a common good. "I love that 4-H creates opportunities for our youth to be leaders and encourages them to take responsibility for their community by working together", Robin Billings, mother of two 4-H'rers shared.

And that is really what 4-H is all about. Making the best better.