Our Discover Susquehanna County 4-H feature this week highlights our plant science and environmental 4-H projects. There are many projects offered to members that give them the opportunity to learn about gardening, wildlife, fishing, creepy crawlies, and other outdoor activities.
4-H members that have an interest in gardening or growing flowers can take projects such as strawberries, wildflowers, our “hands-on” gardening and wildflowers projects, and the 4-H Pumpkin project. Members spend the summer working on their gardens and project books, and then are able to exhibit vegetables and flowers they have grown themselves at the 4-H Building at the Harford Fair.
4-H Community Gardens located at the Penn State Extension office
Furthermore, Susquehanna County 4-H has its very own Community Garden for youth that may not have space or a chance to develop on their own. The 4-H Community Gardens were developed through a grant from the Montrose Rotary Club in 2013, and will be available for any and all 4-H members and community members to utilize all summer long. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners will be available to use as resource leaders, and help to answer questions and educate youth about gardening and working with flowers! Be sure to watch for more updates, as far as when the Community Garden work days will be.
Another large part of 4-H is the Environmental and Earth Science projects. Members are encouraged to learn and discover wildlife, bugs, trees, waterways, fishing, and maybe even produce maple syrup. Projects allow youth to create a bug collection, and learn more about pests and how to control them. Also, members can take part in the Adopt-A-Tree project, which has different levels where members document a tree as it grows. There are several projects offered that deal with wildlife. The Wildlife is all Around Us series offers opportunities for youth to get outside during all the seasons, and do fun activities like building birdhouses and making casts of animal tracks for exhibit. Woodworking for Wildlife teaches youth how to build bird, bat, and butterfly houses, while the 4-H Fishing project gives 4-Hers the chance to fish all summer and create a poster on the different types of fish caught.
As you can tell there are several chances for 4-H members to take part in outdoor projects. Every April, Penn State offers a 4-H Forestry and Wildlife Day held at Rock Springs, PA that is open to all 4-H members. If you might be interested in attending, please contact Abby at 278-1158.
If Susquehanna County 4-H sounds like a program your kids might be interested in, please contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office today. Our phone number is (570) 278-1158 or drop an e-mail to ano3@psu.edu. Also be sure to check out our website at extension.psu.edu/Susquehanna and find us on Facebook at Susquehanna County 4-H. I look forward to helping you join 4-H, and be sure to look for our next series article on what leadership, sewing, and cultural education projects Susquehanna County 4-H offers.
