Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Funding cuts could shut down 4-H clubs across state
Monday, May 31, 2010
BY KATHY LYNN GRAY
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Some 4-H clubs that nurture young farmers and channel prize pigs, cows and chickens to Ohio fairs could go out of business by year's end, and others could follow as the 88 county extension offices that support the clubs struggle to survive.
GW_Justice
Grandview Hts.
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Well that would suck for the farm kids who look forward to 4H projects and comps at county fairs all year. Although I don't know what state funding has to do with the org, we paid for everything involved with our projects ourselves.
Porky, the money from sales of animal goes to the kids who raised them. That big prize money is what sends some kids to college (not many grand prize winners though).
I assume what the state money pays for is the administration costs of the org. It might be able to limp along as an org with local funding or higher dues. It's not like farmers have money to spare now. Really sad situation.
Kerry
Merion Village
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GW_Justice wrote >>
I assume what the state money pays for is the administration costs of the org. It might be able to limp along as an org with local funding or higher dues. It's not like farmers have money to spare now. Really sad situation.
You're correct, state monies pays for the extension office administration which provides many services, including 4H. It's sad to think that 4H which is was stated in Ohio and grew into a worldwide program may cease to exist here.
Allen county was able to raise funds via facebook last year to save their program, thousands were raised in only a matter of weeks. Through the efforts of a 4Her who didn't want to see her county loose out on the many benefits of 4H.
I am hopeful the 4H community will find a way to save its programming.
joev
Merion Village
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From what I understand, 4-H is only in jeopardy in three counties that failed to pass levy issues for their counties' extension offices. If the people in those three counties don't value the extension offices' services enough to pass a levy, I don't see the problem with losing 4-H there. The statewide program isn't in danger - just in these three counties.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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joev
Merion Village
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Walker wrote >>
joev wrote >>
The statewide program isn't in danger - just in these three counties.Thanks for the clarification. The way it was worded in the original article left me a bit confused about that. Just updated the thread title to hopefully be more clear.
That's the Dispatch, for you. Their vagueness gets you to read the story, though, I guess.
Porky
C-Bus' East Side
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GW_Justice wrote >>
Porky, the money from sales of animal goes to the kids who raised them. That big prize money is what sends some kids to college (not many grand prize winners though).
I understand the money goes to the kids, I was being facetious, kinda, but it sure seems like there should be enough money to go around.
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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GW_Justice
Grandview Hts.
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Walker wrote >>
Suburbia has 4H? I always thought it was more of a rural kinda thing. ;)
Check out the stats for 4H membership:
http://4-h.org/groups/large/ABOUTUS/13147544 (crappy flash interface)
Only 12% of the kids are rural now. The clubs are all about computers and engineering and leadership and other non-farm stuff. This is not the farm kids org I was in many years ago.
Kerry
Merion Village
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I'm a 4H advisor, my club meets in Merion Village. My kids take Remote Control cars, photography, woodworking, sewing, and we usually do a group outdoor type project. The areas of study really have changed to reflect the interests of today's youth.
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