Island County 4-H begins a new century with New plans and a new leader

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, January 8, 2003

Now entering its 101st year, 4-H is a solid American tradition.

In Island County as well, 4-H is strong, but new coordinator Judy Feldman will be working to bring the organization into its second centennial with a fresh vision and energy.

“Out of 10,000 kids in Island County (K-12), we have only 300 actively participating in 4-H right now,” she said. “I hope to see that number rise.”

Feldman, who is just finishing her jobs as program coordinator for the Island County Noxious Weed Control Board and outreach coordinator for the WSU Beach Watchers, is replacing Jennifer Biddle, who held the 4-H position for about a year-and-a-half.

“It was a wonderful job,” Biddle said. “I grew up in 4-H.” The schedule wasn’t right for her, however, and now she looks forward to working with her horses, teaching, and still being involved through volunteer work.

“I’ve seen the need for riding instructors in the 4-H horse projects,” she said. “The kids need to learn, but often the clubs don’t have the finances for instructors. I can donate time, and help find other volunteers to teach as well.”

During Biddle’s tenure with 4-H, the organization saw new enrollment and increased participation in events such as parades and community activities.

“We also got more press,” she said. “It was a positive year.”

Biddle said Feldman has the “incredible” energy to keep the program growing. One of Feldman’s first experiences will be at a 4-H leaders retreat this Saturday, where she wants to meet as many leaders as possible.

“I hope to get to know their thoughts on 4-H and where they would like to see it go,” she said. “I also want to find out how I can best support them.”

Then, just a week later, Feldman will be with both leaders and kids at 4-H Rally Night, an opportunity for all of the clubs to get together, welcome new members and leaders, acknowledge Leader and Member of the Year, play games, and “eat lots of goodies.”

But beyond recruitment of leaders and new members, Feldman is looking toward increased connection with other youth organizations in the community and a building of awareness of the many aspects of 4-H.

“You don’t even have to like animals to be in 4-H,” she said. There are several “4-H youth development delivery modes” we can put in place: special interest or short term programs after school; day camps and overnight camping programs; enrichment programs to support the school curriculum; school-aged childcare programs.

“4-H is not unconnected with other youth programs. There are ways to hook up,” she said.

For instance, Rick Blank, Deception Pass State Park superintendent, has expressed an interest in forming an environmental stewardship club similar to the Beach Watchers.

“Kids could learn to monitor beaches, measure slope lines, use GPS equipment, explore shore changes,” Feldman said. “Deception Pass has old growth forests, sand dunes and bog ecosystems. It’s a perfect place for kids in 4-H to take advantage of the state park system and come away with life skills experiences, and possible career motivations.”

Feldman also envisions a 4-H entrepreneurial program that could be set up with businesses on the island, and is hoping to make a presentation to the Economic Development Council.

“School budgets are getting hit, and vocational programs are few and far between,” she said. “Not everyone can go to college. Through a 4-H program, kids could learn to set up a business, survey the marketplace, find out where to get training.”

A retired carpenter could help them build a tool shed; a plumber could teach how to unstop a drain, an auto mechanic how to change oil.

The 21st century edition of 4-H “could be a pretty powerful player” in the future of the island’s economic stability, Feldman said.

“There’s a lot of talk about Whidbey Island’s concern about the future, and not giving kids a reason to stay here,” she said. “Through these kinds of programs, kids could find a niche. It would be good for them and for the island.”

Of course, the same budget woes that have plagued other county agencies have hit 4-H. The WSU Extension budget was cut by 28 percent, Feldman said, compared to average cuts of 4 to 6 percent at other agencies.

“Cutting out the receptionist position dealt us a severe blow,” she said. “The Weed Board is an unfunded entity, and the Weed Control Coordinator position looks to be empty until at least March. We lost the Master Food Preserver program — there will be no more pressure gauge testing. 4-H is still here, but that’s because it’s the most well-known and most strongly supported.”

Volunteers will be energetically recruited, Feldman said, but success will send a mixed message: “The better we do getting volunteers, the less likelihood of getting funding back. The product will suffer.”

The 4-H Council can seek grant money, and people can contribute tax deductible donations which will be channeled to programs.

“4-H is open to anyone age 5 to 19,” Feldman said. “There are no membership fees. It’s absolutely free.” But there are costs to send kids to conferences like the 4-H state convention or Know Your Government. Fund-raising efforts can help. Businesses might let 4-H’ers run a concession for a night and let them keep the money; people might set up endowments.

“If people are telling us they want 4-H to be privately funded, we’ll need help to do that,” Feldman said. The Oak Harbor Soroptimists, for example, have recently committed to donating a sizable sum to the program in an effort to fund a receptionist.

“There’s still a ways to go, but it is a healthy start,” Feldman said.

There is evidence everywhere, she said, of the value of 4-H programs in the community. Many “prominent” people have been 4-H members, some of them expectedly, others less so: country musicians Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride and Reba McIntire, but also actresses Sissy Spacek and Holly Hunter, Metropolitan Opera Star Sherill Milnes, entertainer Johnny Carson.

Also on the list are authors Robert Fulghum and John Updike; NASA astronauts Alan Shepard and Bonnie Dunbar (of Washington state); former Vice President Albert Gore; Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois; Stacy Dragila, World and Olympic Champion in track and field; NFL stars Herschel Walker and Reggie White; former first ladies Pat Nixon and Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis.