by Lindsay Humphrey
What began in Clark County, Ohio, in 1902 has grown to impact an estimated six million youngsters between the ages of eight and 18. Now recognized as the largest youth-development program in the world, 4-H has influenced more than 35 million people in more than 120 years.
The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created the Cooperative Extension Service, which partners with more than 100 land-grant universities across the United States, and 4-H became an important part of the extension system’s educational program. The Oklahoma State University Extension Service is in Stillwater.
Oklahoma is unquestionably the heart of horse country in the Midwestern Plains states, and 4-H has played a big role in that. The 4-H program provides the gold standard for developing a well-rounded individual through skill development, competition, community service, and leadership opportunities in a wide variety of projects tailored to individual interests.
“People typically associate 4-H with agriculture, which is true, but 4-H covers everything from art and design to dance, baking and sewing, communications and technology, and so much more,” said Dr. Kris Hiney, an associate professor and OSU Extension specialist. “There’s something for every interest to get kids involved, which makes 4-H so unique.”
Although competition is a focal point of 4-H, it’s only a small part of the emblematic 4-H four-leaf clover. “Kids like to compete, and so that’s often the tool we use to get their attention, but there’s a lot more to it than that,” Hiney said. Participating in a project begins as a learning opportunity and quickly evolves into other areas that help create individuals who are ready to serve their community long into adulthood.
For many Oklahomans, 4-H is the perfect way to get started with horses.
Getting Started
“The official enrollment age in 4-H is third grade, around eight or nine years old, and that’s one way we differ from other, similar programs,” Hiney said in reference to Future Farmers of America, which doesn’t begin until high school. “We also have Cloverbuds for kids beginning at four years old until they turn eight. They don’t do anything at the state level, but their county can do as much as they want for them.”
To get started in 4-H, the first step is to contact a county extension educator to enroll as a 4-H member or Cloverbud. The extension agent can help families find projects that interest them. With more than 75 project areas available, 4-H is often considered a gateway between kids and various areas of interest which could easily blossom into careers.
“One thing that might not be fully understood about 4-H is the idea that you need a club focused on your specific project in order to do it, but that’s not necessarily true,” Hiney explained. “Kids don’t need a project-specific club. They can enroll in any project with any club.”
Horses are a very popular 4-H project in the state, which isn’t surprising. Several counties have at least one club dedicated to the horse project. However, new clubs can be formed if adult volunteers are ready to run them. “Every county has an extension educator with a 4-H appointment, and their jobs are to help support the 4-H program in their areas,” Hiney said. “They can answer questions and help kids find clubs or other types of support to get their projects off the ground.”
Volunteers of any age are the heart and soul of 4-H programs across the country. Many adult volunteers grew up in 4-H programs of their own, which not only prepared them for leadership roles but also implanted a love for the organization.
“We got invited to Custer County Horse 4-H meetings and met a bunch of kids that were also interested in horses,” said Lillian Roush, who is now 17 and joined 4-H when she was 10. “It was a great way to get into horses because so many people wanted to help us and get us started in it.”
A similar situation unfolded for fellow Custer County 4-H member Jenna Stutzman, who took riding lessons from an older club member when she first started the horse project.
Finding a Place
Riding and showing are just a small piece of the horse 4-H project. Access to a living, breathing horse is not a prerequisite for participation. Quiz bowl, equine evaluation, speech contests, and team problem solving are just a few of the other unique opportunities.
“There are all kinds of clinics and playdays that different counties put on for educational purposes,” Hiney said. “Every fall, I put on a Horse Science Academy for high school kids which can be a little more intense. It is possible to do a horseless horse 4-H project. I know a lot of clubs offer opportunities for kids without horses to get hands-on experience.”
The entire structure and spirit of 4-H lends itself to embracing members who don’t have horses of their own.
“I took riding lessons for three years before my parents surprised me and bought a horse for my sister and me,” Roush said. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had the opportunity to pour into the boys and girls coming into the club just like people did for me when I first started. I give riding lessons and help in the club wherever I can.”
It’s this unofficial mentorship-type scenario that makes 4-H the positive youth-development organization known around the world.
“Kids who participate in 4-H are twice as likely to be involved in their community both now and when they get older,” Stutzman said. “The overall learning experience of 4-H is important for developing core values and forging relationships with people we might have never met otherwise.”
Competitions and experiences at county, district, and state levels make it easy for members such as Stutzman and Roush to meet other kids who enjoy learning about horses. But one opportunity takes it to a whole new level outside the horse project.
Every year, Stillwater is home to the State 4-H Roundup, when members in junior high and high school spend three days together on OSU’s main campus.
“My first roundup was intimidating, but as I’ve gotten older, these people have become my second family, and I’ve met them from all over the state,” said Roush, who became a state 4-H officer during last year’s State Roundup. “I’ve spent a lot of time traveling to different counties and hearing about what projects kids are doing and leading workshops, all while planning this year’s roundup.”
While Roush is busy in an elevated leadership position, Stutzman is serving her community through a slightly different avenue.
“Our horse club is really good about doing community service, and one of the biggest things we do is a traveling petting zoo,” Stutzman said. “We go to elementary schools, nursing homes, and even veteran centers with all our animals. We have a whole lot of fun and teach people everything we can about the animals and their jobs.”
All kinds of animals, from a miniature pony and donkey to goats, chickens, ducks, and even a turkey, are part of the petting zoo.
Signing up for the horse project through 4-H is about a whole lot more than riding. It’s the type of experience that creates selfless individuals focused on making the best better.
The 4-H Pledge
I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to great loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
