October 6-12 is National 4-H Week, and Washington County is celebrating the 4-H youth and alumni who are making an impact on the community. During this celebrated week, 4-H members and volunteers are excited to promote 4-H in special ways in communities across the county. Several special events will be going all week to help celebrate. Washington County 4-H is proud to have such an active and supportive community of these special events and our youth. The 2024 National 4-H Week theme is Beyond Ready, which celebrates the program’s dedication to building a generation equipped for the future while being met where they are today. This year, 4-H is focused on helping youth be ready to lead, ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to conquer. Washington County 4-H is proud to be in the top 3 largest 4-H programs in the state of Iowa with over 400 4th-12th grade members last year and 160 kindergarten-3rd graders in Clover Kids.  It is a place for youth to belong and grow by connecting with peers at monthly meetings and activities. National 4-H Week is the perfect time to get enrolled in 4-H as clubs are kicking off the new 4-H year this month. The 4-H county council will kick off National 4-H Week by having an active hand in the community preparing and serving a meal for the October 5 Saturday Kitchen at the UP Church in Washington. This is a free meal for the community to gather and connect. Lunch is served at 11:30am. Other events will continue the week for the Washington County 4-H program. Washington County has 4-H programs for youth in grades K-12. For more information about the 4-H program in Washington County as a member or volunteer, contact the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811.