More Opportunity, More Smiles
Sep 30, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Debra Dingman, Dixon editor
These 4-H students were studying hurricane patterns--one of many activities members might do in the plethora of life learning experiences through 4-H Clubs around the nation. Photo courtesy of 4-H
DIXON, CA (MPG) - 'More Opportunity, More Smiles' is the theme to kick off National 4-H Club Week, October 2-8 new season. For over 100 years, California 4-H has provided ways for youth to make a positive difference in their world and Solano County 4-H clubs are now open for sign-ups.
This organization provides a place where young people develop positive relationships, leadership, and skills for life. 4-H members make friends and share interests, ranging from engineering to raising rabbits, from tabletop gaming to gardening.
Two different 4-H clubs, Maine Prairie 4-H and Dixon Ridge 4-H both were awarded $500 each this past spring to enable six new youth to become members to each club. The grant will cover their program fees thanks to the Dixon Women's Improvement Club.
Both 4-H programs in Dixon have experienced a significant increase in underserved youth enrolling and some of those students need financial assistance to participate. Normally the clubs would have local funds saved for this but due to the pandemic, traditional fundraising efforts have been limited.
The special week will begin with an information booth at Dixon's Tractor Supply and the club holding their 'Paper Clover Campaign,' which raises money for scholarships to 4-H camp and conferences.
"We also hold our annual 4-H Achievement Night where 4-H members in Solano County are recognized for their 4-H achievements, as well as Friends of 4-H and the Solano County Leader of the Year," reported Sandy Means, a Community Leader of the Dixon Ridge 4-H group.
The Solano County 4-H Youth Development Program serves all of Solano County through programming offered by the following local 4-H Clubs. Dixon: Dixon Ridge 4-H Club and Maine Prairie 4-H Club; Suisun Valley 4-H Club; Rio Vista 4-H Club; Elmira 4-H Club, Pleasant Valley 4-H Club and Vaca Valley 4-H Club; and Vallejo/Benicia's Sherwood Forest 4-H Club.
For more information about Dixon's clubs, you can reach Means at (707) 688-9376 or you can also contact Jen Henkens, Solano County 4-H Program Representative at [email protected] or the Solano County 4-H Youth Development Program at http://solano4h.ucanr.edu/Get_Involved/.
The California 4-H program is a part of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), a statewide network of the University of California.
