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 Locally, the Logan County
4-H program and the Farm Bureau Young Leaders are fine examples of
farm organizations teaching those values.
For more than 100 years, 4-H has been a part of growing up for
thousands of young farm children. The clubs began in the early
1900’s and were the successors to the Corn Growers Club and the
Tomato Club. The two earlier clubs were exclusive to farm children
with the Corn Growers being a boy’s only club aimed at teaching new
farming techniques to the upcoming generations. The Tomato Club was
for girls and taught home economics and homemaker skills.
When the clubs evolved to 4-H they were still segregated between
boys and girls and for farm kids only. Over the years 4-H has
evolved and now includes many urban clubs with children who do not
have agricultural backgrounds. Gender lines have also been erased
and today a boy can sew or bake cookies and a girl can show
livestock, something that would have been unheard of at the
beginning of the organization.
While 4-H has evolved, its pledge has remained the same – “I
pledge... my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service, my Health to better living, for my club,
my community, my country, and my world.
Community service is a part of the “Hands” of the pledge and one
that is taken seriously by local 4-H groups. Local clubs submit
their annual applications for recognition to the Logan County
Extension Office. Program Coordinator Patty Huffer shared some
community service activities from three of the local clubs.
Atlanta Ag 4-H
Cindy Schempp noted, “Covid forced us to change how we serve our
community in person. Although covid cancelled events we are
typically involved with, covid also opened doors for 4-H members to
be respectful of HEALTH and put HANDS into action to reach beyond
our community.”
Reported activities included help to farmers last year in September
as the club partnered with the Olympia FFA to provided sack lunches
to farmers as they delivered their grain to local elevators.
For Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July,
members helped place American Flags around town. “It is a special
honor to help place and pick up these well stored flags to show
respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our
freedom. It was heart-warming to see some of our newest 4-H members
join in on this special task and offer them even more patriotism to
carry with them,” wrote Schempp.
The group also completed a two-year plastic cap collection. In
November of last year, they were able to put two new benches at the
Atlanta Park.
In December, members joined the Illini Fighting Hunger program from
the University of Illinois and Logan County Royalty to help package
over 2,500 meals. “It was a profound experience to have 4-H families
gather together to measure the food, seal packages, fill boxes, and
even put special messages on the boxes for the recipients,” Schempp
wrote.
The club also helped at the annual fire fighters breakfast in
Atlanta and they participated in the annual 4-H spaghetti dinner day
in February. Soon after their in-person service came to a halt due
to the virus. The youth typically participate in a number of other
community activities such as the Atlanta Easter Egg Hunt and the
Atlanta High School Reunion.
This year the youth learned a new skill, “Members put their sewing
machine skills to work making over 30 fabric masks for family, and
most recently over 50 for students in the community to have on hand
for school days. Members also put together over 2,000 face shields
that were flown by a neighboring pilot to a Chicago Hospital (some
were also packaged and flown to Texas).”
Middletown 4-H’ers
Leader Mary Jo Janssen noted the club has been active for the past
50 years and has had the same leader for the last 44 years.
The group's motto is, "We love our seniors and our community."
A large portion of service is focused on those seniors. Janssen
wrote, “This year, we made pumpkins out of toilet paper rolls. We
wrapped them with orange crepe paper and then drew eyes, nose and
mouth with a black marker and put a pipe cleaner out the top. We
made 75 of them and donated them to a local assisted living facility
so every resident received one for their room.
“We went Christmas caroling at a nursing home and the residents love
for us to come. They sing with us sometimes. We also donated
cookies, gave each of them a Christmas card and a candy cane
reindeer that we made.”
Last fall the club also participated in 'Trick or Treating for
Canned Goods.' “We pass out flyers ahead of time and then we go
collect the food items on a Sunday afternoon and donate all the
items we collect to a food pantry in Logan County. There are three
food pantries, so we take turns where we donate,” Janssen wrote.
The Middletown 4-H’ers are also collecting plastic lids and plan to
donate benches to the school. “We wanted to donate a bench to the
school so it could be a buddy bench. They are used so that if a
child is feeling lonely or feels like nobody wants to play with
them, they can sit on the buddy bench and the other children know
they need to go and include them. We are excited about this bench
because no child should feel left out.
"Our other plans this year were to make and deliver May Baskets and
to host a Senior/Grandparent luncheon but neither could happen due
to the covid virus.”
The Pioneers
Pioneers 4-H Club leader Darlene Crider prefaced her essay saying,
“Community service is the cornerstone of what we do as a 4-H club.
We have a community service activity associated with every meeting.”
Last fall the club participated in the Oasis Scarecrow contest and
baked sweet treats to donate to the annual Harvest of Talents. They
also helped build a float for the Lincoln Christmas Parade and
handed out candy at the parade.
[to top of second column] |
 Crider added, “One of our
favorite community service events is filling shoeboxes for
Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. Throughout the year
member families pick up items (toiletries, small toys, school
supplies, small clothing items, etc.) to include in our shoeboxes.
At our November meeting we gather everything together and divide it
up between the boxes, choosing appropriate ages (two to four, five
to nine, 10-14) and whether the items should be for a boy or girl.
Each member chooses the age and gender they prefer and put together
their own box with the supervision of the leaders to insure that
each box contains all of the necessary items (i.e. crayons,
toothbrush, etc.). Beyond that, it is at the discretion of the
member filling the box! It allows them to think of the child who
will be receiving the box and what he or she would like to be
given.”
Same as for the other two clubs, the pandemic impacted activities.
Crider said, “Our plans for the year also included a basket donation
for the Walk for Life silent auction, a food drive for our local
food pantry and assistance for the Relay for Life, but unfortunately
these events were cancelled because of Covid-19. We will be able to
get back to normal once the corona virus has abated!”
Patty Huffer noted other activities the clubs have taken part in.
The new year for 4-H has begun and in October all the clubs were
encouraged to participate in a drive to provide supplies to the Moms
Who Care program at Lincoln Community High School. The project
collects daily need products and distributes them as students make
requests. Items include shampoo, deodorant, personal products, as
well as snacks and treats to take home for weekend consumption.
Huffer noted, “The Cloverdale 4-H Club and Wide-a-Wake 4-H Club have
already collected items and delivered to the 4-H office.”
She also noted that the Hollander 4-H Club had done Angel Tree
shopping, buying gifts for children in need. The club also made
fleece blankets for local veterans.
When kids reach the age of 18 years old, they ‘age out’ of 4-H. Many
youngsters then become integral parts of the 4-H organization
volunteering as leaders and helping out in the 4-H shows and
exhibits at the Logan County Fair.
They also have another opportunity to remain involved in an
agriculture based organization that works to serve the community,
the Farm Bureau Young Leaders.
Farm Bureau Young Leaders
Young farmers such as Sam Opperman pass from 4-H to Farm Bureau
Young Leaders. Opperman said, “Logan County Young Leaders are an
offshoot of the Logan County Farm Bureau. Young Leaders host several
events that help support and promote agriculture in our community:
Fourth Grade Ag Day, FFA Acquaintance Day Tour, Healthy Foods
Distribution, Annual Golf Outing, and Kiddie Tractor Pulls.
“The Fourth Grade Ag Day is a great opportunity for all fourth
graders in Logan County to explore and learn about agriculture. We
set up multiple stations where students gain exposure to farm
equipment; dairy and making ice cream, a favorite activity; pork,
farm safety; and soy by making soy plastic. It is important for
children to be exposed to, and start learning where and how
agriculture works. Fourth graders are attentive and inquisitive
about the various ag stations.
“FFA Acquaintance Day Tour gives high school FFA members a chance to
tour an ag related business or two, and learn about various careers
in agriculture.
“Our Healthy Foods Distribution is in partnership with the Central
Illinois Food Bank. They supply a semi loaded with food for the
Young Leaders to distribute to community members.
“The Annual Golf Outing is a way for businesses and other
individuals to support the Young Leaders and future ag students. The
funds raised through the golf outing help support ag scholarships
and other Young Leader events throughout the year.
Young leaders Megan
and Sam Opperman at Chestnut Kiddie Tractor Pull.
“Lastly, the Kiddie Tractor Pulls benefits various festivals,
homecomings, etc. in the county by providing a friendly and fun
activity for the youngsters.
“The Young Leaders of Logan County are interested in agriculture and
are glad to be part of an ag community that supports one another.”
With all that these youth organizations do to promote community
involvement and support for those in need, it is easy to see how our
local farmers and farm groups play an important role in supporting
Logan County.
These groups are creating caring, loving, hardworking, charitable
adults who will continue to give of their time and talents for years
to come. From food donations to farm safety awareness to promoting
community service, these organizations make us better all around.
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