What's In It For You?

I pledge

 my head to clearer thinking,

my heart to greater loyalty,

my hands to larger service,

and my health to better living

for my club, my community, and my country.

 

I have been involved in 4-H since I was nine years old and what I have learned since then are things that will stick with me further into the future than I can see! My older sibling who are just four years older than me helped set up the Moo's on the Moo-ve Dairy Club around Barrhead, Alberta. Since they started 4-H, our family has been very actively involved. I have two younger siblings, one who is an intermediate, and the other who was given the privelege of being a cleaver kid this year! As I learn new things from my older siblings and watch the younger ones learn new things, I just keep being so very thankful that I could be involved in 4-H.
When I talk about farming, showing, or just 4-H in general with some of my friends from town, they think I am very odd for my passion for these things. What I have learned to realize is that when you grow up with these things around you and you truly have a passion for them your passion for them grows more and more each day. In 4-H I have defianetly had my days where I have just really not wanted to be involved, but I think everyone has had that. There are those days when your heifer just won't cooperate with you and you become very frusterated. But then there are also those great days when after the meeting or workshop you can't imagine what life would be like without that extra little bit of information!
4-H gives you a wide variety of wonderful chances to do things you would never have done otherwise. Just a few weeks back I was asked to do a clipping and showmanship clinic for a fairly new club. So my sister and I went out and worked with two very enthusiastic junior members. I had never been asked to do a clinic before so it was something very new for me. Even though I had been asked to go out there and teach these younger members, I was also able to teach myself new things. Without 4-H, I would never have ended up there being able to help other members and having been able to give myself a new experience as well.
Another thing that I find is a wonderful thing that 4-H brings out is public speaking. I myself am not fond of speaking infront of crowds, but with the help of 4-H, I have been able to build up my confidence a bit to be able to do this a little more comfortably. It also gives you the chance to bring out topics that people do not really think about. Personally, I find that my speeches even help me out. I have always tried to find topics that people can think about and actually use. I have done speeches on smoking, peer pressure, and even self-confidence. All these topics have helped me out as well.

I honestly do not know what I would do without 4-H in my life. It has given me so many amazing opportunities, too many for me to tell you all about. 4-H is an amzing experience and if you are not a member of a club of any sort, you really should get on that because you are definately missing out. If you have any specific question about 4-H, feel free to ask, I am more than happy to help you out!!!