Six Reasons Why 4-H is Fit for a King

What’s one word to describe 4-H? “Addictive,” said Carter Collins, who couldn’t wait to join a club after he saw how much fun his older sister, Taylor, had.

“She had such a great experience that I wanted to get involved, too,” said Collins, a Hampton native and Iowa State University’s (ISU) 2014 homecoming king. “For me, 4-H became addictive.”

As a member of the Reeve Hampton Hustlers 4-H Club, Collins’ 4-H adventure encompassed six life-changing benefits:

1. Exploring new interests. Collins was interested in photography, along with food and nutrition projects. He earned top honors at the Iowa State Fair with recipes like Mint Truffle Cups (see recipe below). “I enjoyed spending time in the kitchen with my mom and grandma while expanding my culinary skills,” Collins said.
2. Developing life skills. From grade school through high school, 4-H taught Collins how to set goals, be resourceful and complete projects. “4-H helps kids develop a work ethic from the very beginning,” noted Collin’s mother, Dawn. “The more you put into it, the greater the reward.”
3. Learning to lead. Not only did Collins serve as treasurer, secretary and president of the Reeve Hampton Hustlers, but he co-chaired the Franklin County 4-H Council, served on the area 4-H council and attended state leadership conferences. “I was always looking for the next step at every level,” he said. “I also learned how to work with people from all different kinds of backgrounds.”
4. Improving communication skills. Collins and his friend, Spencer Claypool, often collaborated on 4-H working exhibits. Their demonstrations ranged from how to build pinecone bird feeders to creating “soil sundaes,” complete with chocolate cookies and gummy worms, to show layers of soil and promote conservation. Not only do these opportunities develop 4-H members’ public speaking skills, but they give young people the confidence to become advocates for what they believe in. “In large groups or small groups, they are able to present ideas with confidence,” Dawn Collins said.
5. Discovering new opportunities. While Collins grew up in town, he enjoyed expanding his horizons through 4-H field trips that included a visit to ISU’s veterinary medicine facilities. He also appreciated 4-H’s emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). “I got to experience a lot of the agriculture world through 4-H, thanks to club leaders like April Hemmes,” added Collins, a senior majoring in journalism/mass communication and political science at ISU. “Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious.”
6. Networking with others. Not only did Collins make friends through 4-H, but these connections endured beyond high school. “I reconnected with a lot of former 4-Hers at ISU,” Collins said. “It’s great to have a 4-H family at college.”

Dawn Collins is grateful that 4-H has given her children so many things that other groups can’t offer. “We really appreciate the long-lasting friendships and opportunities the kids would have missed out on had it not been for 4-H,” she said.

There’s no youth development program like 4-H, Collins concluded. “4-H gives you the chance to grow. All you have to do is seek these opportunities.”