October 7-13 marks National 4-H Week and as it draws to a close here are a few thoughts from a 4-H alum and your ag. communicator.

This week has been a chance to look back and thank 4-H for what it taught us. Looking upon the 4-H Motto: “To make the best better.” How does one make the “best” into better? Depends upon how you look at it. To me this is where you take what you have learned and build upon it. You go out and make yourself into something more! Meeting new people, working on projects, leading, and hopefully pushing yourself out of your comfort zone every chance you get.

4-H allowed for leadership opportunities and new skills. I had the chance to serve as a reporter and secretary twice. I learned to interact with the local papers and helped showcase the 4-H club. My time as secretary taught me careful note taking, especially decisions voted upon at our meetings as a secretary. There was team work, collaboration, and parliamentary procedure with the club.

4-H has contests. (Much like my FFA years). Those who have participated in contests worked on a certain skill set.

4-H projects taught us to set goals and work towards them. Club projects taught us about community service and hard work. Every December the club would make fruit and goodie baskets for the elderly. We would go out in groups to deliver the baskets and sing Christmas carols. Summer was a chance to help out at the truck pull to serve food and work at the food stand during fair time.

One year we tore down and rebuilt the sheep wash rack for the barn on the fair grounds.

4-H can help you step out of your comfort zone. My biggest push out of my comfort zone was my final year where I entered the Fair Queen pageant. I did not win the crown nor the opportunity to go on and represent my county at the State Fair Queen pageant, but I did what I set out to accomplish. I got to know the other ladies during the process, made lasting connections, and I did walk away with a title. Many said it fits my personality when I walked away as Miss Congeniality. I spent time at pre-fair events and during fair interacting with those around and I would not change the experience.

4-H and FFA helped me decide to become an ag. communicator. I am where I am today because of organizations giving the opportunity for leadership, growing lifelong skills, and serving my community.