When Gov. Chet Culver says get involved in community service, Iowa 4-H’ers pay attention. Culver proclaimed Oct. 7-13 National 4-H Week in Iowa, urging Iowans to get together with friends, family and colleagues “to engage in projects benefiting their community.” And 4-H’ers responded — with service such as cleaning and repairing the Iowa 4-H Center in rural Boone County and planting trees in Johnson County. They also hosted science and technology workshops, classroom talks, barn quilt tours and special events throughout the state.
4-H’ers don’t need much of an excuse to serve their communities. Statewide, 4-H youth and adult volunteers can compile as many as 100,000 hours of community service each year, according to statistics from ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development.