Clinton County declares 4-H week

LOCK HAVEN -- The Clinton County Board of Commissioner celebrated its youth agriculture by proclaiming March 16-22 Pennsylvania 4-H Week during its voting session on Thursday.

The proclamation, read by Commissioner Angela Harding, noted 4-H is America's largest youth development organization which supports nearly 6 million youth across the country.

In Clinton County alone, 4-H has helped 1,223 "become confident, independent, resilient and compassionate as they learn by doing."

The 4-H program in Pennsylvania is delivered through Penn State Cooperative Extension in all 67 counties with more than 77,000 youth from ages 5 to 18 in a variety of programs that include animal science, civic engagement, STEM, health and wellness.

"Pennsylvania 4-H Week showcases the incredible ways that 4-H inspires kids to achieve and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Clinton County who work each and everyday to make a positive impact on those around them," Harding said.

The proclamation was presented by the board to 4-H Youth Development Coordinator Christine Showers, North Bend Farm Life Coordinator Mary "Midge" Kramer and Penn State Extension Client Relationship Manager Ethan Howard who offered further information about the local 4-H programs.

Showers noted enrollment in the program has "skyrocketed" after taking part in summer park programs within Clinton County.

"We did STEM activities, I had kids bring in animals for hands-on activities," Shower said. "We did outreach to kids that never got to pet a horse or see and hold a bunny and telling them the difference between a sheep and a goat."

Showers noted the STEM activities alone were a big hit.

"The kids just absolutely love doing anything hands-on," she explained.

For 2025's enrollment, which doesn't close until May, Showers said there are currently 159 county kids enrolled. That was compared to 90 from the previous year.

The 4-H program also has 38 screened and enrolled volunteers in the county.

"We have a great group of volunteers, great leaders. We try to provide every opportunity we can for the youth in Clinton County even if they are not 4-H enrolled," Showers said.

Showers shined a spotlight on Kramer, who is the leader for the newest addition to the 4-H programs in the county -- North Bend Farm Life. The program is for kids in the North Bend and Renovo area and has been operating for two years.

Kramer said she has 24 kids with a mixture of Cloverbuds -- those ages 5-7 -- and regular 4-H participants who are ages 8 to 18.

"They do a huge variety of projects. I always call them my homesteading group because they do everything from cooking to growing things, to animal experiences... sewing, STEM activities," she said. "They do it all. It's a great opportunity for outreach that (the area) didn't really have a lot of activities before."

Showers further noted Kramer is involved in church programs and school programs.

Kramer offered a shout out to the volunteers that assist her with the program in western Clinton County.

"As it stands right now for my club we have nine Penn State approved volunteers. I can't express how grateful I am to the volunteers we have in my group that I work with," she said. "Without them we can't do anything."

Showers echoed Kramer's statements, noting that county-wide she has many volunteers who are always willing to step up and help.

She added that the 4-H program in Clinton County has done so well that it's part of a pilot program -- Cloverbud Livestock -- which will allow kids ages 5-7 to work with animals.

The program will be showcased in an exhibition during this year's Clinton County Fair.

Howard thanked the board for its continued support of the 4-H program in Clinton County.

"They really make a difference in our local communities which is pretty much part of the reason why I have this job in the first place," he said of the programs. "Our program really makes a difference."

To learn more about the programs offered through Clinton County 4-H or to register a youth, you can visit extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/clinton