In Jackson County, being involved in 4-H is about more than planting soybeans, raising pigs or driving a tractor.

4-H is for the shy, reserved child who likes to collect things and the outgoing child who likes to be in the spotlight singing and dancing.

It’s for kids who grow up on a farm and those who have never stepped foot on one.

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It’s also for adults who want to support and help children become more skilled and experienced in different activities.

The organization offers a wide variety of interests for youth to explore and plenty of ways for adults to volunteer, said Heather VonDielingen, county 4-H youth development educator.

“There’s something for everyone,” VonDielingen said.

But not everyone knows about 4-H.

That’s why an open house/registration event has become so important to the growth and success of the program here, she said.

In 2018, Jackson County 4-H had 768 members enrolled and 178 adult volunteers.

“Both of these numbers went up from the previous year, and we expect 2019 enrollment numbers to surpass 2018,” VonDielingen said.

Families were invited to Seymour Community School Corp.’s new Ag-science and Research Farm facility in Freeman Field on Nov. 8 to get better acquainted with 4-H and to see what kind of club and project options are available.

Twenty different stations were set up for families to visit to learn about opportunities in STEM, leadership, horticulture and gardening, cake decorating, rockets, robotics, dogs and other subjects.

Kids could also get signed up if they were ready.

More than 100 families attended and 15 filled out their registrations on site, VonDielingen said. Enrollment also is available online.

Sarah Reecer of Seymour brought her daughter, Violet, a first-grader, to the event to see if anything sparked an interest.

“We needed to find out more about it,” Sarah said. “I was in 4-H when I was younger, but it has changed, and there is a lot more to it.”

Violet wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to sign up for, but it would likely be something that would allow her to express her creativity, Reecer said.

“She’s crafty and likes to make things, so I’m sure we’ll be able to find something she’ll want to do,” Reecer said.

Projects like cake decorating, gift wrapping, sewing and arts and crafts are available to 4-H’ers, and Violet agreed they sounded like fun.

But she also liked learning about different animal pelts from Shannon Winks, a private lands biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources.

Winks had a table set up to share information on wildlife projects.

Wildlife is another subject area children can explore in 4-H. Winks leads the Outdoor Connection Club.

“There’s lots to do with wildlife,” Winks said. “There’s entomology, weather, fishing, soil and water conservation, natural resources.”

Sisters Taylor Smith, 11, and Brynlee Smith, 7, of Brownstown, agree 4-H has made a big impact in their lives.

“4-H teaches lots of leadership skills,” Taylor said. “You meet new friends and get to socialize.”

Jessica Vogel of Seymour brought her 7-year-old son, Haydn, to the open house. He was immediately drawn to the robotics table.

“I know nothing about 4-H and wanted to find something fun he could do,” she said. “He likes building things, and he just needs something he can really get into.”

Having autism, it can be more difficult for Haydn to socialize with his peers, and he often gets fixated on things, Vogel said. That’s where she hopes 4-H can help her son.

“Anything that will pique his interest and help him find his place is worth learning about,” she said.

Angel Wente of Seymour said 4-H has been a blessing to her and her daughter, Leah, 6. Leah is in her second year of mini 4-H.

“It’s really brought her out of her shell and built her confidence,” Wente said.

Through their 4-H experience, the two have been able to volunteer at a local food pantry and toured Rose Acre Farms.

“It’s teaching her how to be involved in the community, and I think that’s so important,” Wente said.

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To enroll your child in Jackson County 4-H, visit http://in.4honline.com or visit the Purdue Extension Jackson County office at the Jackson County Courthouse, 111 S. Main St., Suite 10, Brownstown, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Program fees are $20 for youth in grades 3-12 and $5 for youth in grades K-2.

For information about specific 4-H activities in Jackson County or the 4-H program in general, visit extension.purdue.edu/jackson. You can also “like” Purdue Extension Jackson County on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest announcements and activities.

Contact Heather VonDielingen at 812-358-6101 or [email protected] if you have additional questions about the Jackson County 4-H program.

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