Dawn Stuckey, 4-H Youth Development Agent Colleton County
Club News:
Volunteerism is the concept that the Colleton County 4-H Club embraced this year. Under the leadership of President Justice Olim, the club has reached record numbers of community outreach. During Olim’s first year of presidency, he encouraged his club members to consider greater community service involvement by raising funds and volunteering to support the local animal shelter. The club raised enough funds to sponsor two outside play areas for homeless pets. This year, Olim and the club stretched their humanitarianism to include the local homeless mission, In His Name, Colleton. The club organized a food drive, which provided 73 lbs. of food and created dozens of hygiene packs for the mission to share with the homeless community in Colleton County.
Colleton County 4-H visits SC Forestry Commission
Wanting to learn more about their community, the Colleton County 4-H Club visited with the SC Forestry Commission in February to learn more about the agency. The club met with Mr. Calvin Bailey, Coastal Regional Forester, and learned how the various departments work to suppress and control fires in the forest. The group learned how the dispatchers receive the call and send the necessary units to the fire, how fire plows build fire breaks to contain the fire, the fire track provides water and can travel in areas other engines are unable to, and the airplanes detect fire and assist the wildland firefighters who are on the ground. Mr. Bailey explained that it takes all the different equipment and operators to control wildfires and keep our forest lands protected.
This visit preceded the outbreak of the Covington Drive, Table Rock, and Persimmon Ridge wildfires across the state. Because of their visit, the youth and parents were able to appreciate the effort of containing and suppressing the fire. During subsequent club meetings, parents and members alike were amazed at the skill of the operators and how the equipment maneuvered through the fire scenes to battle and control the wildfire.
Colleton and Hampton 4-H Clubs visit the SC State House for 4-H Legislative Day
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, is a day that many 4-H members will not soon forget. That includes the delegations from Hampton and Colleton County 4-H. Sixteen youth travelled to Columbia, SC, to attend the SC 4-H Legislative Day program. Youth toured the SC Statehouse and met with local House Representative, Mr. Bill Hager. The group was able to discuss his job in the House of Representatives and what he was doing to make life in our counties better. Representative Hager also took the time to explain the bells, discussions, and debates the students observed from the gallery area.
Students at Colleton County High School Learn about Hydroponics
Thanks to a generous donation from Colleton County Soil and Water Conservation, the Colleton County 4-H Program was able to purchase a hydroponic garden system to utilize in schools across the county to teach students alternative ways to produce their own food. The program compares the benefits and drawbacks of traditional farming and hydroponic gardening, as well as lessons on water, plants, nutrition, and chemistry.
This year, Ms. Feltman and Mrs. Kubik’s special needs classes invited 4-H into their classroom for this program. The class previously worked with 4-H to create a traditional garden but decided to try a new way to compare accessibility and ease of participation with the students. The students learned to set up and maintain the system, planted and harvested crops, and prepared a delicious salad with the food they grew. The hydroponic system allowed every student to have an active part in the transplant-to-plate process. The class also participated in activities that explained the water cycle, using a microscope to identify plant and animal cells, parts of plants we eat, and food safety.
SC 4-H Jr. Weekend
On May 3, 2025, SC 4-H youth gathered in North Myrtle Beach at the SC FFA Leadership Center for Jr. Weekend. This year’s theme was “Beyond the Surface,” and encouraged campers to take a closer look at our world. Participants attended workshops ranging from marsh ecology to making space snacks, each enhancing 4-H leadership and communication skills. Evenings were spent around the campfire, where campers spent time eating smores and getting to know each other. This year, 4 members of Colleton 4-H Clubs attended Jr. Weekend: Motseh Panza, Brooklyn Legette, Jordyn Hersey, and Skyla Erickson.
4-H Summer Programs
This summer, Colleton County 4-H has partnered with Colleton County Memorial Library to offer “Life Skills Academy” for youth ages 14 – 18. During the program, participants will learn how to prepare for the next stage of their lives. Participants will learn public speaking skills, financial management, first aid, cooking skills, and food safety skills. The group meets every Monday at 5:00 in the main branch located on Hampton Street in Walterboro. There is no charge to participate in the classes. For more information, contact Jimmy McClellan at kmcclellan@colletoncounty.org or call the library at 843-549-5621.
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