The Clover Kids branch of Washington County 4-H had plenty of standalone events at the Washington County Fair, including a Lego building contest, the bucket, and bottle contest, and various animal shows where they partnered with an experienced 4-H member. 4-H & Youth Coordinator Amy Green talked with KCII about why these events can give people a glimpse into the near future of 4-H.

“It’s always fun to watch those activities because they are the future of our program, and we try to get them involved around kindergarten to third grade. Seeing those kids in any element is fun because they truly enjoy it, and you can see their excitement.”

A large part of the Clover Kids experience at 4-H is getting to work with the experienced members during the various animal showcases at the fair to get their feet wet when it comes to showcasing animals. Green says that when it comes to the mentorship programs for Clover Kids, the volunteers play a huge role in the program’s success.

“I love seeing the big kids mentor the little kids. They are genuinely interested in their project area and put a lot of work in with these animals, and are willing to share that knowledge with someone who is completely new and has a ton of questions, and they are willing to work with them no matter their level.”

Contact the Washington County Extension Office for more questions about the Clover Kids program or information about enrollment for the upcoming 4-H season.