By Dawn Burleigh

dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com

 

4-H Youth Development Program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is honored with National 4-H Week from Oct. 2- Oct. 8, 2016.

The organization has provided experience-based education for 108 years to the youths of Texas.

Kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country—through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps, according to its official website.

Dylan Pyatt is starting his fifth year in the program.

“Being homeschooled, you don’t meet many people,” Pyatt told the court Monday morning. “4-H is a way for me to meet people. 4-H like family that is there to help you.”

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4‑H, and they are the four values members work on through fun and engaging programs according to the 4-H Pledge.

Sierra Hutchinson is in her fourth year with the program.

“I love it,” Hutchinson said. “I am in the Public Speaking Club. The organization is about more than showing livestock. There is sewing, cooking and speaking clubs as well.”

There are programs promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), agriculture, healthy living and citizenship.

As one example of the activities the youth are involved with is Make a Difference One Day 4-H.

Orange County 4-H is asking the community to join efforts to help Louisiana flood victims, by collecting school supplies. Many school age youths were in the midst of planning their school year when the flood occurred.

The organization is asking for donations of new school supplies and/or new clothing for any size school age boy or girl. Gift cards and cash will also be accepted.

Drop items off at: Orange County Extension Office, 11475 FM 1442 Orange (Orange County Convention and Expo Center) or bring donations to the 4-H official ONE DAY SUPPLY DRIVE, Saturday, October 8 ^from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the 4-H office.

Also this weekend is the Orange County Livestock Show and auction October 7-8 at the OCLSA Barn located on the Mauriceville Fairgrounds on Cohenour Road and Hwy 62 N. The livestock show consist of swine, goats, lambs, chickens and rabbits raised by Orange County 4-H & FFA members in hopes of placing their projects in the sale auction Saturday.

Buyers will be treated to a world class Bar B Que dinner hosted by the Go Texas Bar B Que teams and the OCLSA on Saturday, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Pavilion. The show schedule for Friday, October 7; Art Contest Judging begins at 3 p.m. at the Start Museum of Art; Rabbit and Chicken Show begins at 6 p.m. at the Barn. Saturday, October 8 schedule; Swine begins at 8 am at the Barn followed by Goat and Lamb Shows. A Prospect Show of Heifers will begin at 12 noon. Sale Auction starts at 7 p.m. For additional information contact Sabrina Gray, Show Chairman 409-670-6260 or Glenn Stephenson, President OCLSA409-883-8809.

For more information on how your child might become a member of a 4-H, as well as how you might become a volunteer, call 409-882-7010. Or you may look for them on Facebook and on the internet at Texas A & M AgriLife Extension-Orange County.