Sisters Chat about 4-H

Maude: This week I thought we would talk about 4-H. I am not sure if you all heard about the announcement from the Dept. of Labor who is revamping child labor laws but they made it illegal for kids to work on anything but family farms (most family farms are legal entities and therefore would not be considered "family"). In addition there was language that would make 4-H and FFA illegal.This has been rescinded because there was such a big stink.
But it got me thinking about 4-H.
Esther: That's crazy and dumb!
Maude: I know, it is ridiculous!!!
Esther: like we need kids to be learning less. 4-H and helping on farms is such a great way to learn.
Maude: And it teaches them hard work. Plus there is something of a catastrophe looming for farms because around 80% of small farmers are set to retire in the next 10 years and there is no one to replace them.
Lizzi: Wow. That is certainly a catastrophe!
Maude: All the big farms will continue but small farms are the backbone of this country. Imagine the countryside without small farms!!
Yuck!
To those reading this who aren't familiar - What is 4-H?
Lizzi: I don't remember what the 4 h's stand for! Isn't that terrible?
Maude: head, heart, hands and health
Not sure why I remember that...
Lizzi: I was close! I was going to say head, heart, health and home. Close, but no cigar!
Maude: haha, Liz!
Esther: 4-H is an opportunity for young people to learn how to work, farm, build, sew, cook, and lead.

Maude: That is a good explanation, Es
Esther: It is an organization for youth.
Maude: Kids take projects every year to learn about whatever activity they are interested in (or that their parents make them take!!)
We always had to take sewing and cooking
What projects did you guys take?
I remember taking Creative Writing, knot-tying, costumes (sewing), bread-baking...
Lizzi: I remember taking a collectibles project one year. I had to choose things to collect and then report on them. So, I collected oodles of salt and pepper shakers and celebrities autographs.
I took cooking projects and sewing, too, of course.
Maude: Cool. That reminds me, I took a geneology project once. I had to interview our grandparents and stuff. It was neat.
Lizzi: I think I would appreciate and enjoy all the requirements so much more now.
Such a shame, what is it they say? Youth is wasted on the young? Haha!
Esther: I did cooking & sewing... and something with bugs it seems
not sure why!
Maude: Most kids take animal projects - but none of us ever did, right?
I certainly didn't. I always wanted to take goats but didn't.
Esther: I want a goat now but not when I was a kid
Lizzi: I remember talking to mom about getting a cow and I would do a project on it.
Maude: It is funny to think about how much I had an opportunity to learn about but didn't
Lizzi: Then she talked to me about the work involved...
Maude: There was a lot of knowledge that I didn't take advantage of
Lizzi: Mom is going to be so glad to read this and hear what we say about 4-H!
Maude:  You're right, Liz. Mom will be glad. It is good to remember as parents now that I do appreciate some of the things (most really) that we were made to do but didn't necessarily want to at the time.
Also, Esther mentioned leadership opportunities. What were some of those?
Public speaking - we always had to do the health and fitness speeches, remember?
There were positions within the club - I was secretary for a number of years.
Esther:  You could be elected president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer.
Maude: The projects were also graded and if you did well you could take it on to the state fair.
What memories do you have of 4-H?
I liked going to 4-H camp.
Lizzi: The fair!
I enjoyed volunteering in the ice cream stand and participating in the talent show.
Esther: The fair was always my favorite! Working in the ice cream shop and getting free ice cream!
Lizzi: visiting friends and watching the cattle competitions
Remember how we sang the 'Sound of Music' song for the talent show one year?
Maude: Fairs hold a very special place in my heart now because of 4-H.
I was teaching Milton those songs the other day and thought of that Talent Show, Liz!
Lizzi: Did you do that one, Essie?
Esther: nope
Lizzi: I thought that you were too young. I think our friend, Maggie, did the youngest girl part
Maude: Remember how I was given "runner-up" in the costume competition because that one boy made a Yoda costume? He didn't even make the mask! He just sewed a black robe! - There is NO WAY he should have beaten my medieval costume (made without a pattern, by the way!!)
I'm still a little bitter...
Obviously.
Lizzi: Sometimes the judging was flawed. :)
Maude: Definitely!
Lizzi: What was the younger 4-H group called? The group Esther and Paul were part of most of the time?
Clovers?
Maude: Cloverbuds?

Lizzi: Oh yeah. I think the majority of Esther's participation was in that. Right?
Esther: yeppers!

Lizzi: The fair also had the bake-off. That was fun too!
Maude: Would you want your kids to be in 4-H when they are older? Or would you recommend it to others?
Lizzi: Probably. Although, I would honestly need to check about the extent of the programs out here.
Maude: They don't have it my county. Isn't that crazy? In Virginia!
But they do in the surrounding counties and are trying to get it started here.
But I definitely want my kids to do it when they are older. There is so much to learn and it teaches them to manage time and projects.

Lizzi: It is certainly a great educational tool!
Maude: Good memories too.
Lizzi: Yeah