AMES, Iowa -- Iowa 4-H’ers and 4-H youth from across the nation will be “Keeping It Green” as they celebrate 2008 National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11. They will be raising awareness about environmental issues and initiating environmental projects that make a positive difference in their communities.

Iowa 4-H’ers have had a long-term commitment to protecting the environment. Many of their projects at the 2008 Iowa State Fair urged consumers to make an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle to save the planet.

In Jones County, Jackie Russ and her Anamosa High School classmates are “saving the world one bottle at a time” with a plastic bottle recycling project. Mitchell County’s Tallia Goodale wove 65 snack chip bags into a colorful purse. Blake Scurr, Poweshiek County, and Emily Hansen, Warren County, each created rainwater collection systems from recycled barrels, rubber hose and pipe.

“These are just a few examples of how Iowa 4-H’ers are tackling environmental issues,” said Judy Levings, Iowa State University Extension 4-H youth development specialist. “Through 4-H they’ve learned that their actions make a difference.”

More than 6,700 Iowa youth participate in environmental science projects each year, Levings said, including environment, wildlife, forestry, camping, fishing and Safety and Education in Shooting Sports (SESS). Approximately 7,700 youth participate in environmental field days and camps each year.

Here are more things to know about 4-H.

4-H is the nation’s largest youth organization.  It has 6 million participants. It is in all 99 Iowa counties, in all 50 states and in more than 80 countries. One quarter of Iowa’s young people are involved in 4-H.

4-H is a part of Cooperative Extension.  4-H takes research-based information from the nation’s land grant universities to youth in urban, small town and rural communities. In Iowa, 4-H is headquartered on the Iowa State University campus in Ames.

4-H follows the philosophy of learning by doing. Youth develop life skills through hands-on projects that range from citizenship to expressive arts, communication to foods and nutrition, and leadership to science and technology.

4-H is for youth in grades 4 through 12. Youth can belong to 4-H individually or as members of clubs and groups.  They can make new friends, visit new places, go on trips, attend workshops and conferences, host meetings and help their communities.

4-H uses a four-leaf clover for its emblem. Each leaf carries an H; all four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The idea for the clover came from Clarion in Wright County, Iowa.

4-H annually displays youth exhibits at the Iowa State Fair. Nearly 4,000 youth exhibits are displayed in the 4-H Exhibits Building as well as some 3,000 4-H animal exhibits in the fair barns and show rings. 4-H’ers also give nearly 1,000 educational presentations, working exhibits, extemporaneous speeches and Share the Fun performances during the fair.

4-H partners with the Army Youth Development Project (AYDP). Together they serve children with parents in the military through Operation Military Kids (OMK).

For more information about 4-H Youth Development in Iowa, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office.

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