4-H Grows Here: Local Leaders

ALEX PALZEWICZ, Upper Peninsula Michigan Local Food Coordinator

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to better service and my health to better living; for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

The 4-H pledge boasts a clear messages with a contagious rhythm. 4-H is a national youth development organization with programs ranging from animal sciences to engineering to textile arts. Over 200,000 kids in Michigan are involved with a 4-H program in their area, organized by Michigan State University Extension.

As a kid I studied cuts of meat, analyzed weight gain and hand delivered letters to potential buyers as a part of 4-H livestock projects. I didn’t realize it then, but in those experiences, I gained my passion and love for local food and the community surrounding it. That was years ago, and as I’ve returned to my Upper Peninsula roots, I find there are some amazing new 4-H programs connecting local food to youth.

For example, Liz Wiener, MSU 4-H Program Coordinator for Alger County, helped coordinate the creation of Spice Up Your Life 4-H Club, which focuses on teaching kids how to cook tasty and healthy meals for their families. “Now more than ever kids seem to want to know where their food is coming from and what’s going into what they’re eating,” says Wiener. Spreading this knowledge can only lead to larger understanding throughout the region, Wiener adds.

Likewise, the World Food Prize Michigan Youth, an innovative collaboration between MSU 4-H and the World Food Prize Foundation, brings together youth to discuss local food and grand global challenges. In 2018, over thirty teens from Superior Central High School in the Central Upper Peninsula, participated by writing a short research paper focused on one of twenty key factors that affects food security in a developing country of their choice. Not only does this put food related issues in front of our youth but allows them an opportunity to expand their own cultural understanding in relation to, as well as beyond food. Brian Wibby, the MSU Extension 4-H Educator in Marquette comments, “the young people I work with have a keen interest in helping people (in their community) to understand where food comes from. The U.P. is isolated from (conventional) food systems and youth understand and value their role and responsibility.”

Clearly, the numerous programs and opportunities for youth in 4-H truly represent the multitude of careers and opportunities surrounding food systems. 4-H is where young people can make a lifelong connection with food in their community and the world. In my TLD Role, I now find myself working with those whom I once shared a show ring with, as well as so many other local food entrepreneurs for my community, my Upper Peninsula region, my country and my world.