BELLEFONTE — Centre County Commissioners are celebrating America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H, this month, by unanimously proclaiming March 16-22, 2025 as 4-H Week in Centre County.

Brittany McFarland, Centre County’s 4-H Extension educator, joined 4-H members Jaylene Everhart, Sawyer Fetterolf and Madison Bowen for the proclamation. The group shared their experiences in 4-H and highlighted the organization’s mission to empower youth through hands-on learning and leadership opportunities.

“(4-H week is) a week where we get to go out into the community and represent our organization,” explained McFarland.

4-H programs provide kids and teens with opportunities to complete hands-on projects in areas such as agriculture, civic engagement, health and science. With support from adult mentors, participants develop leadership skills and gain confidence in a positive, encouraging environment.

Since COVID-19, the program has seen steady growth in Centre County. With an 11 percent increase in the past year, the county boasts a membership of 426 youth. Designed for ages 8 to 18, the main program focuses on hands-on learning, while their Cloverbud program introduces children ages 5 to 7 to engaging, age-appropriate activities in a supportive environment.

In Centre County, 4-H members can participate in a number of projects in animal science, STEM, shooting sports, expressive arts and healthy living.

“If you think that you don’t have a place in 4-H — you do,” said McFarland, emphasizing there is something in the organization for everyone.

Jaylene Everhart, a student at State College Area High School, has been an active member of 4-H for the past eight years.

“I’m a third-generation 4-H’er, so it’s kind of in my blood,” Everhart said.

During her time in 4-H, she has competed in tie-dye, goat, rabbit and poultry shows, but she spent her time sharing with the commissioners the national opportunities her organization offers.

Last year, she was among a select group of Pennsylvania students chosen to attend the national 4-H conference in Washington, D.C. There, she helped formulate policies aimed at increasing community involvement in 4-H and agriculture.

“We spoke to the Smithsonian organization, and we were able to present to them our ideas of how to get kids and youth more involved in agriculture in both urban and rural communities,” said Everhart.

Sawyer Fetterolf, another longtime 4-H member, discussed the organization’s “Teen Council,” a youth-led group that plans and executes teen exchanges, fundraising events and other fun, educational community service projects under the supervision of adult advisors.

Fetterolf, Everhart and Bowen are all members of the Centre County 4-H Teen Council.

He shared highlights from the two teen exchanges he participated in, traveling to Minnesota and Texas. During these exchanges, participants stay with local 4-H members and engage in activities organized by the host chapter. Fetterolf reflected on his experiences visiting the Alamo, the Texas Ranger Museum and the Mall of America.

He also mentioned that this summer, the Minnesota 4-H chapter that hosted him will be visiting Centre County. The local chapter plans to introduce them to exciting attractions, including Penn’s Cave.

Another member, Madison Bowen, spoke about her experience at 4-H camp at Camp Harmony in Somerset County, bonding and learning with other kids her age. Her advisor shared that she is currently training to become a Counselor at Training, with plans to step into a full counselor role next year.

“It’s great to hear about all these developmental experiences that you get to have. It’s a great complement to your academic work in school, I’m sure,” said County Commissioner Amber Concepcion. “You build your childhood memories off those experiences.”

Commissioner Steve Dershem added, “It’s pretty amazing to see what young people are capable of,” and that he was excited that they were learning leadership skills as they are the future leaders of the community.

“It’s really just fantastic to see young people doing great things, enjoying themselves and learning so many different skills,” he said.

Jaylene Everhart also gave a plug for the group’s pancake supper, which this year will be held March 18 at the Centre Hall Lions Club, 153 E Church St, Centre Hall, from 5-7 p.m.

“It’s a way that we get to talk with community members, and it just so happens to fall during 4-H Week this year, which is a great opportunity to talk to the community about what 4-H does, about how it affects us as members and also (tell our) different unique stories. Each of us up here has a unique story about 4-H and how we got involved and why we stay involved,” said Everhart.

“We talk about the importance of STEM education for our young people and 4-H is really at the leading edge of that between animal science and the other more engineering focused experiences,” said Concepcion. “It’s great that you’re doing this work, and I’m glad we’re able to help support it here in Centre County.”