4-H is a Good Head Start Program for Young Gardeners©
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008
by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com
Many of us associate the 4-H (Future Farmers of America) with animals. Many young members have goats, pigs, horses, sheep, chickens or just about any other farm animal you can think of. We see them showing their stuff at County and State fairs all over the world since the 4-H is not only a National organization, but an International one.
The four leaf clover is the 4-H symbol and the leaves stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health and the goals of the 4-H is to teach young members citizenship, leadership and life skills through learning programs and one of those many programs is gardening.
Teaching young members, some as young as 5 years old, how to grow things is an incredible beginning for a child since children are the most curious creatures on our planet. The 4-H now exists in 80 countries around the world featuring all kinds of learning programs and camps.
Teaching children about gardening and farming is teaching them how to grow things and while many of them may not become future farmers of America; many may well develop a love of gardening that will serve them well in their adult years as a good and healthy hobby.
As adults we are not always welcoming new ideas and that was really what started the 4-H because farmers were not receptive to new forms of agriculture. However, youngsters love to experiment and learn new things often bringing their new found knowledge back to their parents.
Today, with produce being brought in from all over the globe and many of it being harmful for us such as the spinach in 2007 and the tomatoes in 2008 it is important that parents consider making the 4-H part of their children's learning today. Knowing how to grow food, even in a small family garden, may well be a life saving technique in today's undependable world. Knowing how to grow food in spite of Global warming, drastic weather changes can well be learned from programs such as those offered by the 4-H.
The 4-H depends on adult volunteers for many things and this is a golden opportunity for families to work together in this organization.
Teaching young members, some as young as 5 years old, how to grow things is an incredible beginning for a child since children are the most curious creatures on our planet. The 4-H now exists in 80 countries around the world featuring all kinds of learning programs and camps.
Teaching children about gardening and farming is teaching them how to grow things and while many of them may not become future farmers of America; many may well develop a love of gardening that will serve them well in their adult years as a good and healthy hobby.
As adults we are not always welcoming new ideas and that was really what started the 4-H because farmers were not receptive to new forms of agriculture. However, youngsters love to experiment and learn new things often bringing their new found knowledge back to their parents.
Today, with produce being brought in from all over the globe and many of it being harmful for us such as the spinach in 2007 and the tomatoes in 2008 it is important that parents consider making the 4-H part of their children's learning today. Knowing how to grow food, even in a small family garden, may well be a life saving technique in today's undependable world. Knowing how to grow food in spite of Global warming, drastic weather changes can well be learned from programs such as those offered by the 4-H.
The 4-H depends on adult volunteers for many things and this is a golden opportunity for families to work together in this organization.
"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…
Peace, Light and Love,
Author's note: This article was originally written for GreenThumbArticles.com
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