It's never to early for 4-H kids to start on this year's projects
Deadlines can sneak up on you.
That’s why the cold winter months, when everyone spends more time indoors, would be a great opportunity for 4-H members to start working on a Family and Consumer Sciences or still 4-H project.
More:Cookies, soups in a jar: Celebrate with 'Gifts From The Kitchen'
Try recipes for the family. Plan a party. Redecorate a room. Write stories for a creative writing project. Work on a scrapbook. Design a woodworking project. Build and program a robot. Practice tying knots. Take pictures for a photography project. Pick a pattern and material and start sewing an outfit or quilt.
Most 4-H projects can be worked on throughout the year.
Getting a head start will give 4-H’ers a better chance of finishing their projects in time for the county’s early 4-H judging July 11 at the Wayne County Fair Event Center. Members judged on this date are eligible for special awards and the chance to be selected to compete at the Ohio State Fair, opening July 26. Second-chance judging is Aug. 8 in the Event Center.
Save the date: Join 4-H open house is March 6
A Join 4-H and Project Open House is planned for 7 p.m. Monday, March 6, at Fisher Auditorium at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster. The event will feature an informational session about 4-H dates and guidelines, along with various stations where youth can explore a sampling of projects and complete simple activities to take home with them.
We also will introduce a Bug Club for members interested in studying insects. Project books will be available that evening. They also are available for purchase any time at the Ohio State University Extension, Wayne County office, located on the second floor of the County Administration Building, 428 W. Liberty St., Suite 12, Wooster. As with most everything, the prices of books increased this year, from $6 to $8 plus tax.
The 2023 Ohio 4-H Family Guide will be mailed to 4-H families in January. It describes the more than 150 projects available to members.
Ready, Set Mow, Feelings Matter, Cooking on My own
A new project added this year, Ready, Set, Mow, helps members learn the ins and outs of operating a lawn mower, whether it’s push, riding or zero-turn along with a mower’s parts and tips for mowing and maintenance.
Your Feelings Matter is a new project to help youth recognize, validate and manage their emotions. Seven activities in the book get project members thinking and feeling about their temperaments and emotions within the safe confines of a 4-H project book.
Cooking on My Own replaces You’re The Chef. This project contains updated recipes and is geared to the advanced project member. Activities include making a pot roast for a family dinner.
If members are interested in clothing and fashion, but don’t want to make an outfit, there are clothing design projects. In a beginning project, Designed By Me, members explore various embellishments (techniques) to design a T-shirt, sweatshirt, button-down shirt or simple jacket. The intermediate level embellish: A 4-H Guide to Wearable Art explores embellishment techniques and putting together a complete outfit.
Shopping Savvy activities include comparing different brands of the same clothing item, studying current fashion trends, learning proper clothing care, and of course, shopping!
Projects that help prepare members for the work force include Am I Ready for Work?, You’re Hired! and Here, There, Ag Careers Are Everywhere.
Other projects explore graphic design, genealogy, gardening, fitness, home living skills, money management, shooting sports and sports nutrition. Self-determined projects also are an option.
4-H helps to build life skills in many areas
4-H projects build life skills through hands-on projects in areas like science, health and civic engagement, helping members gain confidence, independence, resilience and compassion.
To explore projects and their requirements, check out the website projectcentral.ohio4-H.org. You can also review sample pages and read reviews from other members and volunteers.
Members can also help others choose projects and resources by rating and sharing on social media.
So many possibilities, there’s something for everyone!
Laurie Sidle is a Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H program assistant for OSU Extension and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or sidle.31@osu.edu.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County 4-H members can use winter month to get a head start
