Cassville Democrat: Local News: Area youth invited to join 4-H (10/03/12)

County 4-H kids Clover Kid Morgan McGuire, pictured above, was recognized for participation at the Barry County 4- H Achievement Day. Several Barry County 4-H participants took part in a regional public speaking competition in Springfield this year. Pictured below, in the front row, from left, are: Quixote Gautney-Lopez, Savanna Gunter, Nefertiti Gautney-Lopez and Jesse Bridges. Back row: Caleb Tucker, Sierra Gunter, Noah Tucker and Jason Ball.

Area youth, ages 5 to 18, are invited to sign up for Barry County 4-H during the open enrollment period that will continue through Dec. 1.

"You do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H," said Velynda Cameron, 4-H youth development special- ist with the University of Missouri Extension. "Project opportunities include com- puters, robotics, food and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and much more."

Children who are 5 to 7 years old are eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an introductory program. Youth who are 8 to 18 years of age can select from an assortment of 4-H projects and activities that focus on social and life skills including decisions making, communication, social inter- action, civic responsibility and physical fitness.

"Agriculture continues to be a strong project area for members in Barry County 4-H with many of the top projects being all in the livestock areas, beef, market goats and poultry," said Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Barry County 4-H youth de- velopment specialist.

This year, a new project, Shooting Sports, will be of- fered in Barry County. Lead- ers are certified in smallbore .22 caliber rifle and will begin practice in early

spring. Youth will be trained in gun safety and precision shooting skills. Competi- tions are held at the county, regional, state and national levels.

"We know that active youth enrolled in 4-H are more likely to go to and suc- cessfully complete college education and are more likely to return and con- tribute positively to their home communities," said Elliott-Engel.

Missouri 4-H is the Uni- versity of Missouri Exten- sion's youth development program. The program is de- signed to help create oppor- tunities for young people to be valued, contributing members of their communi- ties. The national organiza- tion is the largest out-of-school youth organi- zation in the world.

To learn more about Barry County 4-H, visit mo4h.missouri.edu or the Barry County University of Missouri Extension office in the Barry County Court- house in Cassville. The en- rollment fee is $10 per youth.

Volunteer opportunities are available for parents and adults interested in partici- pating in the local 4-H pro- gram.

For more information, call Cameron at 417-862- 9284 or Elliott-Engel at 417- 455-9500.