4-H Day at the Capitol

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt poses for a photo with 4-H members.

4-H DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Story by Trisha Gedon

4-H is well known for providing hands-on learning experiences for its members. In April 2019, a group of 4-H’ers spent the day at the Oklahoma Capitol Building learning how the state’s government works and spending time with legislators to share the impact of 4-H.

Oklahoma 4-H was represented by 128 club members from 49 counties in the 22nd Annual 4-H Day at the Capitol, where the youth got to see first-hand what they have learned in their government classes in school.

Cathleen Taylor, state 4-H leadership and civic engagement specialist, said not only is this a learning opportunity for the club members, it also gives state leaders a chance to learn first-hand more about 4-H and Oklahoma State University Extension.

“Some of our governmental officials weren’t in 4-H when they were younger, so this is a great opportunity for our state leaders to hear first-hand about the positive impact 4-H has on Oklahoma’s youth,” Taylor said.

Gov. Kevin Stitt was glad to have the group at the Capitol.

“4-H is a great organization and it’s fantastic for them to visit and learn how laws are made,” Stitt said. “These are our future leaders — I want them to dream big and I want to inspire them.”

Former 4-H’er, Rep. John Pfeiffer, Deputy Floor Leader, said he learned so much as a club member.

“It’s amazing the life skills you learn in 4-H,” Pfeiffer said. “4-H is a unifying organization and you’ll continue to run into your fellow club members throughout your life.”

While at the Capitol, the group visited the House and Senate Galleries where a proclamation was read declaring April 17, 2019, as 4-H Day at the Capitol. In addition, Trent Gibbs, Stephens County 4-H’er, and J’Kai Johnson of Langston 4-H, spoke on the House and Senate Floors.

To help legislators gain a better understanding of what 4-H’ers are doing across the state, the club members enjoyed lunch with their respective senators and representatives.

Rep. Trish Ranson, Payne County, said she learned a lot from talking to club members from her district during lunch.

“Sarah Walker, the student I spoke with, has grown up in the program and has benefited greatly from it,” Ranson said. “I’m a firm believer in a student program that engages kids and gets them plugged into activities that will grow their citizenship for the greater good of the community.”

Austin Rankin, Woods County 4-H’er, said 4-H Day at the Capitol is an opportunity to educate state leaders on the impact 4-H has on communities across the state.

“My favorite part of the day is seeing our representative and senators at work,” Rankin said. “This day is so important to 4-H because it helps ensure ongoing support for 4-H, and also helps in educating our senators and legislators what Oklahoma 4-H is doing for our communities, our state, our country and our world.”

Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur was present to close out the day with the youth.

“This is such a great opportunity for our youth to let our senators and representatives know what is going on in 4-H around the state,” Arthur said. “Having that one-on-one dialogue with the 4-H’ers from their particular county or district is important. They learn a lot about what our 4-H’ers are doing and it’s an opportunity to highlight the caliber of the 4-H members we have in the program.”