BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured, from left, are Commissioners Amber Concepcion and Mark Higgins, Noah Fetterolf, Hannah Trigg, Jillian Anderson, Remington Weaver, Brittany Helm, Mary Beth Allegar, Ethan Howard and Commissioner Steven Dershem.

BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Commissioners have proclaimed March 12-18 as Pennsylvania 4-H Week in the county. Brittany Helm, the Centre County Educator for 4-H, spoke about the organization and what they do.

Helm, who is new to her position, said she was “truly overwhelmed” with the amount of positive youth development that is offered in the area.

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, empowering young people with skills to lead for a lifetime by leading hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture and civic engagement.

According to the 4-H website, nearly six million kids and teens have taken on critical societal issues through 4-H, addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equality and inclusion for all.

The program is delivered through Penn State Extension in all 67 counties, with 77,597 youth participants across Pennsylvania with 6,000 adult volunteers. According to Helm, Centre County currently has 322 members enrolled.

Commissioner Steven Dershem spoke about past 4-H members who have made an impact on the community, “I would be remiss if I didn’t tell some of the younger folks here that the path and road through a lot of activities and adventures in 4-H have been paved by folks that have been involved for decades. One of those people that I would like to recognize — I can’t think of 4-H without thinking of (her) — is Mickey Peters.”

Noah Fetterolf is a recent graduate from Penns Valley who is an active participant in the Goats Galore 4-H Club and Penns Valley Beef Club.

“The thing I’ve learned and has impacted me the most in 4-H is that our 4-H motto is to make the best better. No matter how good you are, you can always make it better,” said Fetterolf.

Hannah Trigg, a senior in PA Cyber, is another club member who was in attendance. She is a member of an Eagle Valley 4-H, participating in goats, rabbits and a variety of crafts from wreaths to metal punch.

“I’m always excited to see opportunities for students to learn and expand their knowledge and skills. I’ve had some opportunity to talk to students out at Grange Fair about their activities through 4-H. I think it would be fantastic to get 4-H clubs into elementary schools as an after school activity,” said Commissioner Amber Concepcion.

An 11th grade Tyrone Area High School student, Remington Weaver, is a member of Centre County Goats Galore 4-H and Centre County Beef.

“Among the different events and projects that 4-H offers, my favorite has been the Skillathon and livestock judging,” said Weaver.

Jillian Anderson, a sophomore at Penns Valley Area High School, was the last student to speak on her experiences with 4-H. She is a member of Centre County 4-H Teen Council, a leadership focused group that involves themselves in exchange trips.

“This year, we’re with Texas. My life has changed for the better through 4-H through the various people I’ve met and all of the different trips I’ve been able to travel on. I’ve gone to many different states because of 4-H and have shown my animals all over the East Coast,” said Anderson.

“We’re very pleased to have such active, engaged young people in Centre County,” said Chairman Mark Higgins, who also explained how involved the commissioners are with 4-H. Not only do they provide some space for Penn State Extension and funding, but also some of the events 4-H is involved in.