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4-H EXTENSION CORNER
JACKSON COUNTY 4-H NEW PEOPLE-NEW PROGRAM-NEW START
BY CAROLYN DRINKARD
In less than two years, Vanessa Roberts and Matt Webb have breathed new life into the Jackson County 4-H program. Enrollment is up and innovation is booming.
Vanessa serves as the 4-H Regional Extension Agent, and Matt is the County Extension Coordinator. Working together, they have sparked something of a renaissance in Jackson County.
“Extension provides unbiased information for our farmers, families and 4-H kids,” Matt explained. “I believe that it is very important to recognize that our 4-H kids are our present and future clientele. 4-H provides so many opportunities to develop these kids to become productive citizens and leaders and help to prepare them for a career.”
After visiting the schools, Vanessa established in-school 4-H programs in almost all schools in Jackson County. She also started special interest out-of-school programs, like a shotgun club and a livestock club. Other programs included archery, rabbits, forestry and wildlife. Both in-school and after-school involvement and participation have increased markedly.
Vanessa provides curriculum-based lessons each month for in-school meetings. She also includes fun activities, like fishing, in which 4-H members practice casting a line, something that many had never done before. Vanessa also secured a Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) grant for the 4-H'ers to try rocketry, soil conservation and a new skins and skulls kit, which allowed youth to touch the skins and learn more about native Alabama wildlife.
In addition to learning new things monthly in clubs, 4-H members can compete against each other through various projects, such as photography, woodworking, demonstrations and more. The winners are then invited to the County 4-H Roundup held at the VFW Fairgrounds, where they will compete against other 4-H members from around the county.
Projects, such as the lawn tractor, Poultry Queue and Chef 4-H cannot be done at school, so Vanessa brings them to the County 4-H Roundup. First- and second-place winners are then invited to compete at the Regional 4-H Congress, held at the Northeast Alabama Community College. These activities have attracted many more youth and volunteers to participate in 4-H programs.
In the summer, various 4-H camps take center stage. The biggest is 4-H Camp, held at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana. In her first year, Vanessa was able to take 15 members. This year, she had 42 members attend.
Vanessa and Matt also organized summer day camps in various parts of the county. Any child could come to learn new things. For some, this was their first experience with 4-H. The camps have grown each year, and 4-H members now get to interact with livestock, go fishing, hike trails and participate in art projects.
Partnerships are important in developing a successful 4-H program. The staff at the Extension Office works together to support the 4-H program, as well as other Extension programs. Also, 4-H enjoys great buy-in from so many other community entities, like the Jackson County Commission, Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson County Board of Education, Scottsboro City School System, Jackson County Farmers Federation, Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association and the Economic Development Authority.
“So many things we do in 4-H fall right in with other activities,” said Vanessa. “For example, the Fishing Day Camp falls in line with the Tennessee RiverLine, which promotes the recreational use of the Tennessee River. We partner with these organizations to develop life skills in fun ways.”
Some after-school clubs work with partners like the Boys and Girls Club gardening project.
“It’s fun for them to watch their veggies grow,” said Vanessa. “They were even able to harvest veggies and take them home. They also made zucchini bread. The kids loved this.”
Many Jackson County out-of-school clubs go on to compete at State events. The Shotgun Club won second at State, and the Wildlife Club had a thirdplace winner.
“It’s fun to watch,” Vanessa explained. “It’s great to see 4-H'ers put in the time and then see it pay off.”
The keys to this new start in Jackson County 4-H have been cooperation, coordination and community.
Nancy Alexander, State Extension 4-H Specialist and Program Coordinator, commended the Jackson County team.
“Vanessa, Matt and the Jackson County 4-H team are proof that passion, hard work, commitment and teamwork make all the difference in the world.”
Dr. Molly Gregg, State Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development, agreed.
“Matt and Vanessa’s partnership serves as a testament to the power of collaboration. Matt's encouragement and unwavering support provide the foundation upon which Vanessa's talents flourish. Together, they embody the spirit of teamwork that propels the Jackson County 4-H program forward, working to address the needs and hopes of Jackson County youth.”
