4-H Cloverbuds Harvest Learning and FUN
-
THE CLOVERBUDS 4-H GROUP, founded in 2024, visited Miss Janie’s garden and orchard on August 24, 2024, where they enjoyed many activities involving garden produce. Kids attending included back row, from left: Owen Inglsbee, Brynlie Kreutzer, Jasper Miller, Addison Becker, Waylynn Bigges, Hallie Gallaway, and Jax Miller. Front row, from left: Weston Biggs, Connor Look, Quinlee Hickman, Kamayah Gallaway, Raylyn Swaney, and Bella Heller.
The 4-H program in Rooks County has been enjoyed by families for several generations. The program has emphasized 'learning by doing' with projects for kids from elementary through their high school ages.
This year, the 4-H Cloverbuds program was added in Rooks County to provide learning activities for members 5 to 6 years old.
Volunteers from the Hobart Homemakers FCE coordinated with Rooks County Extension agents Rachael Brooks and Anna Muir to plan and carry out project activities for those youngsters who were enrolled in the 2024 project year.
One of the highlights of the Cloverbud year was a visit to Miss Janie's gar-den and orchard, which took place on Saturday, August 24th, 2024. Thirteen youngsters with a family member and several FCE volunteers were kept busy in the 'Garden to Plate' field day.
The first item of the day was to pick apples fresh off the tree. These would later be made into miniature apple pies! Next, armed with their own buckets, the Cloverbuds toured Miss Janie's bountiful garden, where they dug potatoes and picked fresh cucumbers, squash, cornon- the-cob, peppers, and other vegetables of their choice. They took turns cleaning the produce at the washing station outside, then selected vegetables to be included in their foil packet for lunch. While lunch was cooking, FCE leaders shared nutritional information about the food groups we need on our plates to have a healthy diet. The busy day was capped off by activities provided at Miss Janie's playground!
Some of the other project meetings held throughout the year included making greeting cards for veterans and friends in nursing homes, a sewing project meeting, a show-n-tell project meeting, and sharing their projects in a special class at the Rooks County Fair. The young members have grown in knowledge and self-confidence in a very successful Cloverbud year!
