Logan County 4-H has made major adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic during the past month, with many in-person meetings and activities canceled, but Logan County 4-H Educator Justin Bower reports club members and 4-H volunteers have still been finding numerous ways to impact their community.
In addition to conducting virtual meetings via online video conferencing like Zoom, 4-H’ers are continuing to serve friends and neighbors by making cloth masks, writing cards to those who may be isolated, doing yard work for their elderly neighbors, cleaning up trash outside and baking food for those who need it.
“You see, in 4-H we know that we have to rise up and ‘Make the Best Better’ and right now we are going to do our best,” Bower said.
Among the projects conducted by 4-H member, the 4-H educator said Willing Workers 4-H members Gillian Knight and Malaina Jenkins both have been busy making the face masks. Keaton Snipes of Miami Valley Producers 4-H Club has looked out for his grandparents by rolling their yard with a lawn mower.
Jada and Anara Shroyer of Miami Valley Producers 4-H Club joined together to make food for their neighbors.
Konnor Barns of Miami Valley Producers 4-H Club members Konnor Barns and Kayla Tracey have been busy crafting handmade cards — Kayla for her church and Konnor for his mail carrier.
Bower related that initially, the upheaval in the 4-H program this year was difficult to process.
“I’ve been the Logan County 4-H Educator for just over 18 months and anyone who’s met me knows that this job has been a goal of mine since I was 14 years old. This was the year we wanted to try some new programs, workshops, clinics, and education in Logan County 4-H.
“Then, in March, I sat at my computer watching e-mail after e-mail from OSU and Ohio 4-H coming in telling me to change everything. Some things needed to be conducted virtually, some canceled, some postponed, and my whole office moved to my dining room table.
“All of this happened right before our typical year starts after our April 1 enrollment deadline. My plans, goals, and dreams for this year crashed right before my eyes with every e-mail and update I got.”
However, he is encouraged to see how the spirit of 4-H is still being carried out and the different ways that the organization members and youths are able to connect virtually.
“I know that myself, the OSU Extension Office, the Logan County Senior Fair Board, and all of my 4-H Volunteers aren’t done. This virus doesn’t stop us. It can’t. 4-H has been a program since it’s started that adapts and changes and we will continue through COVID-19. In fact, we already have.”
As far as upcoming activities, including the 2020 Logan County Fair, Bower said those determinations will be made in the months ahead.
“And to be honest, now I’m a little anxious. I’m anxious for what the future might be. Will we have a fair? Will we have in-person project evaluations? Will we have a 4-H Camp?
“I don’t have the answers right now; I just don’t know. But if you know me, you know I don’t let things like disappointment, anxiety, and sadness get me down for long. I choose to remain positive.
“4-H is committed to making this year a positive experience for all of our Logan County 4-H’ers, ‘no matter what.’ We will still be here and we will still do everything in our power to make this an awesome year in 4-H, because 4-H will always continue, even through COVID-19.”
Enrollment for Logan County 4-H in 2020 has passed. Direct questions about Logan County 4-H to Bower at bower.183.