October 4th through the 10th, 2015, is National 4-H Week, and Adams County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made and are making an impact on the community. Adams County 4-Hers are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world. During National 4-H week Adams County 4-H clubs and members will be visiting with elementary students in Corning about what 4-H is about.

Students will get information about joining one of the three Adams County 4-H clubs to bring home to their parents. 4-H clubs usually meet at least once per month, elect officers, and throughout the year participate in many community service projects and activities as well as have their own individual projects.

Also during National 4-H Week, Adams County Extension will host the Adams Community Chamber of Commerce coffee at the Extension office in Corning. The office is located at 603 7th street in downtown Corning. According to Chris Nelson, Adams County Extension program coordinator, the coffee will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9th and all interested adults and youth are invited to attend and celebrate 4-H with special 4-H cookies and coffee or ice tea.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to society and their communities.

There were more than 20,000 4-H club members and more than 10,000 4-H volunteers in the Iowa 4-H program in 2014-2015. In Adams County, more than 85 4-H members and 50 volunteers are involved in the 4H club program. 4-Hers do hands-on projects in program areas ranging from citizenship to communication, food and nutrition, leadership, livestock, pets, and science and technology.

4-H’ers are a living breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live. Learn how you can join 4-H by contacting Bonnie Chafa, County Youth Coordinator at Iowa State University Cooperative Extension in Adams County at 641-322-3184 or e-mail to xadams@iastate.edu.