Local events planned for 4-H week

Missouri is currently celebrating National 4-H Week, and the local 4-H organization has activities dealing with farming and first responders planned for October.

Gov. Mike Parson proclaimed Oct. 4-10 National 4-H Week in Missouri, with a goal of serving 10% of Missouri youths by 2025.

Missouri 4-H joins millions of youths, parents, volunteers and alumni across the nation in celebrating the many positive youth development opportunities 4-H offers.

“This year’s ‘Opportunity4All’ campaigns seek to rally support for 4-H and find solutions to the opportunity gap that affects 55 million kids across America,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, National 4-H Council president and CEO.

“With so many children struggling to reach their full potential, 4-H believes young people, in partnership with adults, play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youths, families and communities across the country,” Sirangelo said. “4-H believes every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed and gain the skills they need to make a difference in the world.”

Local activities planned for the week range from finding a four leaf clover and posting it on the Butler County 4-H Facebook page to agriculture farm tours to learning about farming and livestock and classes highlighting firefighting, law enforcement and emergency medical services. Classes are for youth ages 8-18

Kim Allison, 4-H youth program associate, recommends helping “celebrate National 4-H Week by collecting a four leaf clover, and posting a picture of you and your clover on the Butler County 4-H Facebook page or email to allisonks@missouri.edu.”

“We will randomly draw five youth between the ages of 5 and 18 to have their 4-H membership dues paid for the year 2020-2021,” Allison said. “All entries must be submitted by midnight Oct. 10. The winners will be posted to the Butler County Facebook page on Oct. 14.”

Agriculture Farm Tours will include three area farms.

Inman Farms helped youth learn how soybeans are planted and harvested.

“You will plant soybeans to take home and watch grow,” Allison said.

On Thursday, Dunlap Farms will provide youth an opportunity to “enjoy petting the animals and getting your own pumpkin to take home,” Allison said.

The time is 4-6 p.m. at Dunlap Pumpkin Farm, 10 Highway AA, Poplar Bluff.

Lance Cattle Farm offers an opportunity to “learn the day-to-day process of a cattle farm. See the cattle and calves on the farm and take home your own squeezable cow figurine,” Allison said.

This event will be from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 15. The farm is located at 33 Special K Drive, Poplar Bluff.

Space is limited to 15 youth per class. The cost is $25 for all three classes if you are not a member of 4-H and $5 if you are an active member. This will cover all three tours.

Those interested can register or enroll at 4-H Online (https://www.v2.4honline.com) or request a paper form.

First responder classes are starting in October for youth ages 8 to 18 and will offer opportunities to learn about firefighters and their duties.

Allison said, if a youth wants to learn the responsibilities and what it takes to become a deputy sheriff, a class will be held 4-6 p.m. Oct. 21, at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, 200 Phillip Kearbey Blvd., Poplar Bluff. Everyone will take home a deputy badge.

Those interested in emergency medical services can learn how Butler County EMS responds to emergencies and their duties. Allison suggests attending a class from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Butler County Extension, 614 Lindsay Ave., Suite 3, Poplar Bluff. Flashlights will be given to youth who attend.

Space in each first responder class is limited to 12.

The cost is $25 for all three first responder classes or $5 for an active 4-H member.

Enroll in 4-H Online https:/lv2.4hlonline.com, or request a paper form. For more information, call the Butler County Extension Office at 573-686-8064.