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Youth & Family News

West Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Winner: Agriculture

The West Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Program recognized four young leaders in 2021 in the 4-H core pillar areas of agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM.

Levi Wright received the award for agriculture; Caroline Fox received the award for civic engagement; Rosa Williams received the award for healthy living; and John Allen received the award for STEM. Join us each Thursday in May to learn more about our 2021 Youth in Action award winners.

WV 4-H COVID Needs Assessment

West Virginia 4-H needs your help! We want to learn from the COVID pandemic that will ultimately help the youth we serve. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Individuals that complete the needs assessment will be directed to an opportunity with a chance to win a $50 prize!

The purpose of the West Virginia 4-H COVID Needs Assessment is to identify youth educational, mental health, emotional, and social needs of 4-H youth across West Virginia during the pandemic (2020-2022). The results from this needs assessment will help WVU Extension faculty to identify, develop, and share resources to help address identified needs. It will also inform current and post-pandemic educational delivery. This needs assessment is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous. We thank you for your input.

Five My Hands to Larger Service Mini-Grants awarded in 2022

Five 4-H teen leaders and their teams have pledged their hands to larger service in the coming months as they implement the service projects outlined in their winning mini-grant applications. The West Virginia 4-H All Stars have committed $1,000 to support the five mini-grants that will enhance communities in Gilmer, McDowell, Putnam, Wood, and Wyoming counties.

Daisy Snyder and the Gilmer County 4-H teen leaders plan to create a sensory garden for the Glenville Genesis Home's residents. Research has shown that sensory gardens help elevate mood, improve appetite, and improve sleep. The teens plan to build flower beds, paint decorations, build birdhouses and feeders, and plant various plants and flowers. Snyder hopes to include additional 4-H members, volunteers, and 4-H All Stars in this effort.

2022 State 4-H Confident Speaker Series

Katie Keyser, Pendleton County 4-H'er, gives 4-H Presentation about rainbow fruit skewers

West Virginia 4-H is excited to launch the virtual 2022 State 4-H Confident Speaker Series! This four-part series will prepare 4-H members to go for the gold in 4-H Presentations! Youth will have the opportunity to experience developing a 4-H presentation from start to finish with support from Extension educators and previous State 4-H Presentation Expo gold ribbon winners! Prizes will be awarded.

My Hands to Larger Service Spotlight: Putnam County

two youth in a yard with tools and lumber


While thinking about ways people could get up and move more in their community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter Takarsh and the Clover STEMs 4-H LEGO® Robotics team members decided that their area needed a Little Free Library®. Their community of Fraziers Bottom is far away from any of Putnam County’s public libraries. In addition to building and installing a Little Free Library at the intersection of three subdivisions in the community, Takarsh planned to provide starter books for the library.

My Hands to Larger Service Spotlight: Pleasants County

teen using sewing machine to make a pillowcase

Many residents have to leave the comfort of their home, neighbors, friends, and most of their personal belongings when they move into a nursing facility to receive care. The Pleasants County 4-H teen leaders wanted to ensure that the residents know that they are valued and acknowledged for their roles in the community. The teens made a case for friendship with residents by bringing a small source of comfort to those who may need a helping hand.

My Hands to Larger Service Spotlight: Mineral County

youth using a saw to cut lumber

"Give what you can. Take what you need." That is the motto of the Blessing Box that the Denim & Dirt 4-H Club saw a need for in their local community. A Blessing Box is a mini-pantry stocked with canned vegetables and proteins, personal care items, paper items, kid-friendly non-perishables, and special seasonal treats.

My Hands to Larger Service Spotlight: Barbour County

two purple scarves

Every nine minutes, someone is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The five-year survival rate is only 10%. Pancreatic patients and survivors need hope. Stephanie Santilli's family was impacted when her uncle passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2007. He truly appreciated homemade items that were given to him. Santilli wanted to give others hope, so she stepped up to coordinate the "Purple Scarf of Hope project."

My Hands to Larger Service Spotlight: Braxton County

rows of benches around a campfire

In 2018, a new 4-H council circle was built at Holly Gray Park in Braxton County. Two years later, the new benches in this campfire circle were still bare wood. Drina Kearns saw a need to clean, stain, and seal the benches to keep the structure maintained for coming years.