New 4-H Club Starting in Purdy Nov. 19

Contact: Jeremy Elliott-Engel, 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Headquartered in Newton County 

Tel: (417) 455-9500

E-mail: elliottengelj@missouri.edu

PURDY, Mo. -- A 4-H club is forming in Purdy and will meet for the first time at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 19 at the Purdy Community room, which is attached to the Purdy Library.  Nathan Witt of Purdy has volunteered as the community leader. 

As the largest out-of-school youth organization in the world, 4-H is open to all boys and girls, ages 5 to18. Children who are five to seven years old (by Jan 1, 2014) are eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an introductory program. 

Youths who are 8 to 18 years of age (by Jan 1, 2014) can select from a variety of 4-H projects and activities that encourage social and life skills in areas such as decision making, communication, social interaction, civic responsibility and physical skills.

Parents and child work in partnership to create learning opportunities through 4-H projects, project leaders and members.  4-H creates a unique opportunity for youth to explore mastery in their project areas, by being able to enroll in the same project year-after-year, which allows youth to get a deep understanding of their area of interest. 

There are opportunities for adults to volunteer and for parents to be involved with their children at all levels of the 4-H program. 

“You do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H,” said Jeremy Elliott-Engel, 4-H youth development specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Project opportunities include computers, robotics, foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and much more. Agriculture projects continues to have strong enrollment for members in Barry County 4-H with many of the top projects being in the livestock areas, like beef, market goats and poultry.”   

New in Barry County this year is the Shooting Sports project. Leaders are certified in Smallbore Rife (.22 caliber) and will start practicing in early spring.  Youth are trained in gun safety and precision shooting skills.  Competitions happen at the county, state, regional and national levels.

“We know that active youth enrolled in 4-H are more likely to go to and successfully complete college education, and, are more likely to return and contribute positively to their home communities,” said Elliott-Engel.

Missouri 4-H is University of Missouri Extension's youth development program. The program is designed to help to create opportunities for young people to be valued, contributing members of their community.

To learn more about 4-H and how to get involved locally go online to http://mo4h.missouri.edu or visit the Barry County University of Missouri Extension Center in the County Courthouse, Cassville.   Enrollment fees are $10 per youth member.

Residents of southwest Missouri contact any of these 4-H youth development specialists for  information: Karla Deaver in Lawrence County at (417) 466-3102; Velynda Cameron in Polk County at (417) 326-4916; Bob McNary in Jasper County at (417) 358-2158; Amy Patillo in Howell County at (417) 256-2391; or Jeremy Elliott-Engel in Newton County at (417) 455-9500.

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