Congratulations!
You Are The Parents Of A Proud 4-H'er

If you help. . .
Your son or daughter can have rich, rewarding experiences in 4-H. They will be practical, educational experiences that supplement the teachings of the home, school, and church.

Your child needs your help to become a proud 4-H'er. This leaflet tells about the many wonderful opportunities in 4-H and how you can help your child receive them.

4-H Is. . . an educational program for

• boys and girls 8 through 18 years of age

4-H Members. . .

• belong to a club
• enroll in a project
• keep a project record of goals, plans, and progress
• give visual presentations, talks, and exhibits

4-H Projects. . .

• are educational and practical
• are for any boy or girl

Work through projects enables young people to:

• learn facts and skills useful in everyday life
• supplement skills learned in school
• learn desirable personal standards for conduct, work, and health
• learn to work and play with others
• learn to be good citizens
• learn to be leaders
• make new acquaintances and friends
• earn and save money for the future
• receive recognition for work well done
• learn more about educational and career opportunities

Local 4-H Club Leaders--Volunteers from the neighborhood and community share their time, interests, and talents with 4-H'ers.

County Extension 4-H Youth Agents--Mississippi State University has professionals in every county in Mississippi to conduct the Extension program, of which 4-H is a part. The county Extension 4-H youth agent organizes, guides, and supervises the 4-H program and provides teaching material for the members and volunteers.

State Extension Staff--Other Extension workers, located on the Mississippi State University campus, assist with the 4-H program. Subject matter specialists provide project material and training and conduct 4-H activities. The State 4-H Youth Development staff provides overall leadership to the Mississippi 4-H program.

You. . .

As a parent, you play a big part in how "proud" a 4-H'er your child can be. You are needed to:

• help select a project or projects
• help obtain the necessary material for project work
• help with the project plans and processes, using the project manual as a guide
• encourage your child to complete the project once started
• encourage attendance and participation in local club meetings
• encourage participation in a variety of county or state activities, such as visual presentations, judging, exhibits, and fairs
• provide transportation to 4-H activities
• show approval of 4-H accomplishments--no matter how small
• share your knowledge, special skills, and hobbies
• try to understand the 4-H program a bit better each month, by reading about 4-H, listening to 4-H radio programs, watching 4-H television programs, and attending 4-H activities
• get acquainted with your county Extension 4-H youth agent and 4-H volunteers.

4-H Opportunities

Recognition and awards. . .
are used as incentives to encourage club members to do their best. Opportunities for awards and recognition are numerous and help fulfill the member's need to be noticed, to be important, to achieve, and to be praised. These opportunities may come through county, district, state, and national activities.

Awards may be:

• certificates for completing projects
• medals for outstanding project work
• ribbons for exhibits
• recognition through pictures and news releases
• cash and gifts
• educational trips
• scholarships

The greatest reward will be the personal satisfaction of a job well done.

Special Activities

District Events--many contests such as judging and visual presentation are conducted for juniors (age 8-13) in district events.

State Events--senior 4-H'ers (age 14-18) from every county participate in state 4-H contests during State 4-H Congress on the campus of Mississippi State University.

National Events--many Mississippi 4-H'ers represent our state at national events such as National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference in Washington, DC, National Citizenship Short Course in Washington DC, and National judging contests held in many different locations. 4-H'ers do things and go places.

Publication 667
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director