Leonardtown, MD – The week of October 1 – 7, 2017 marks the 75th annual National 4-H week celebration. The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County marked the occasion with a proclamation to raise public awareness of this century old institution serving young people across the nation and in the St. Mary’s County community
4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension, a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation and locally by the University of Maryland Extension in cooperation with St. Mary’s County Government. The program provides experiences for young people to learn by doing hands-on projects in areas including health, science, agriculture, and citizenship.
“4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, which has supported nearly six million youth nationwide and helps approximately 450 youth in St. Mary’s County to become confident, independent, resilient and compassionate leaders each year,” said Commissioner Mike Hewitt (2nd District).
600,000 volunteers and 3,500 professionals in the 4-H network provide caring and supportive mentoring to all 4-H’ers, helping them to grow into true leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries.
In proclaiming National 4-H week, the commissioners encourage all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact they have made and continue to make by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.
Media outlets are free to use photos from the ceremony – which can be downloaded from the county’s photo page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/stmaryscountygovernment/sets/. Outlets publishing photos from the photo page are asked to courtesy the “St. Mary’s County Public Information Office.”