Clemson Extension Upstate District

Month: June 2025

Fort Mill 4-H: Growing Leaders and Building Community

June 16, 2025

Once a quiet spot with little 4-H activity, Fort Mill has blossomed into a thriving hub of youth development and community engagement. The Fort Mill 4-H Community Club has grown to nearly 50 active members, supported by 11 dedicated volunteers, creating a vibrant space where young people learn, lead, and give back.

Reviving 4-H in Fort Mill

Recognizing the need to reconnect youth with hands-on learning and leadership opportunities, Extension staff and volunteers worked to rebuild the 4-H presence in Fort Mill. Through dedicated outreach and engaging programming, the club has quickly become a favorite for youth eager to explore STEM, agriculture, and leadership.

A Garden Grows with Community Spirit

One of the club’s shining achievements is its well-maintained community garden. More than 20 youth actively tend the garden, learning about sustainable agriculture, responsibility, and teamwork. The garden serves as a living classroom and a symbol of the club’s commitment to growth — both of plants and of people.

Youth-Driven and Youth-Led

What sets Fort Mill 4-H apart is its emphasis on youth voice and leadership. All activities are planned and led by the young members themselves, empowering them to take ownership of their learning and community impact. From STEM projects to poultry care and leadership workshops, Fort Mill youth are at the helm.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is FM5-edited.jpg

Adding a unique harmony to Fort Mill’s 4-H community, the Joyful Noise Special Interest Club is a youth-led choir that recently held its debut concert. What makes Joyful Noise truly special is its creative connection to 4-H’s core program areas — each song performed was intentionally selected to reflect a specific 4-H project the club had explored together. From agriculture-themed melodies to tunes highlighting civic engagement and healthy lifestyles, the performance was not only entertaining but also a meaningful showcase of what 4-H youth are learning and leading. Joyful Noise is a shining example of how creativity, leadership, and learning come together to make the 4-H experience both impactful and unforgettable.

Serving the Community and Building Life Skills

The club is deeply involved in community service and fundraising efforts, teaching youth the value of giving back while developing important life skills. Since its first club meeting, Fort Mill 4-H has contributed over 750 hours of youth development, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the community.

Looking Forward

Fort Mill 4-H is more than a club — it’s a launching pad for future leaders, innovators, and community advocates. With continued support and engagement, this thriving club will keep inspiring youth to grow their skills, confidence, and commitment to making a difference.

Kristin Kunde 

York County 4-H Agent 
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress St.

York, SC 29745

w 803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu

🌿 Growing Together: Wrapping Up Another Successful Year for York County 4-H Afterschool Clubs

June 7, 2025

As the school year comes to a close, York County 4-H is excited to celebrate a fantastic year of growth and learning through our Afterschool Clubs. This year, over 350 youth across York County engaged in hands-on 4-H programming, discovering new skills, exploring agriculture, and building confidence in safe, supportive environments.

Our clubs reached students at the following schools:

  • Bethany Elementary
  • Bethel Elementary
  • Clover Middle School (6th–8th grade)
  • Ebinport Elementary
  • Griggs Road Elementary
  • Herald C Johnson Elementary
  • Hickory Grove Sharon Elementary
  • Larne Elementary
  • Lesslie Elementary
  • Midway Christian Academy
  • Mt. Holly Elementary
  • Riverwalk Academy (3rd–8th grade)

Celebrating Success Across York County

At Bethany Elementary, the Bethany Buds After School Club wrapped up their year with a “MOO-velous” celebration focused on dairy cattle. Thanks to Stacie and Hallie Jean Harris for bringing Piper the cow and teaching our youth about showing dairy cattle! Appreciation also goes to Ms. Guerin for supporting all our “crazy plans,” the dedicated parents who support 4-H, volunteers who stay after school every month, and Crossroads Cafe at McGill’s for treating everyone to ice cream.

Meanwhile, at Mount Holly Elementary, our 4-H club closed the year with an energetic “Ag Olympics.” Students competed in farm-themed relay races, celebrating teamwork and healthy competition. This event was made possible by the wonderful support of Ms. Ramsey, Agriculture Teacher at ATC, and two graduating ATC seniors who helped run the activities. It was a fun and fitting finale to a year filled with growth.

Across all schools, youth have engaged in diverse projects — from gardening and raising animals to crafts and nutrition lessons — designed to spark curiosity and build life skills like leadership, responsibility, and public speaking.

The Power of Community

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our 4-H volunteers, parents, teachers, and community partners. Their commitment helps create meaningful experiences that inspire our young people to explore their interests, try new things, and develop into confident leaders.

As we celebrate this year’s accomplishments, we are also looking forward to the future. York County 4-H Afterschool Clubs expect continued growth, fueled by strong community support and exciting new opportunities on the horizon.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success — we can’t wait to continue nurturing the next generation of leaders through 4-H!

Kristin Kunde 

York County 4-H Agent 
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress St.

York, SC 29745

w 803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu

Celebrating Caroline Crooke: From Clover, SC to the Clemson Shotgun Team

June 6, 2025

Caroline Crooke’s journey from a passionate high school athlete to a collegiate competitor is a testament to dedication, skill, and community support. As a member of a local clay target team, Caroline honed her shooting abilities and passion for the sport. Her commitment led her to join the York County 4-H Hotshots, where she further developed her skills and leadership qualities. Through these experiences, Caroline has exemplified the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

Now, as she prepares to join the Clemson Shotgun Team in Fall 2025, Caroline’s story inspires young athletes across York County. Her journey highlights the opportunities available through local programs which provide youth with the resources and mentorship to pursue their passions. Caroline’s success underscores the importance of community involvement and the impact of supportive programs in shaping the futures of young athletes. 

Caroline plans to major in Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Clemson, aligning perfectly with her interests in agriculture and animal care—interests that have been further nurtured through her 4-H experiences. Whether she’s competing on the range or preparing for a future in animal sciences, Caroline continues to make York County proud.

Her journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when young people are encouraged to explore their interests, set ambitious goals, and grow through meaningful programs like 4-H. We couldn’t be more proud to cheer her on as she takes this next exciting step.

We look forward to seeing Caroline represent both York County and Clemson University on the national stage and wish her continued success in her collegiate shooting career.

Congratulations, Caroline—we’ll be rooting for you every step of the way!

Kristin Kunde 

York County 4-H Agent 
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress St.

York, SC 29745

w 803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu

York County 4-H Celebrates 600 Enrolled Members—and We’re Still Growing!

June 6, 2025

York County 4-H is celebrating a major milestone—we’ve officially enrolled over 600 youth for the 2024–2025 4-H year! This exciting benchmark represents more than just a number. It’s a sign of a thriving, diverse program that’s capturing the hearts and curiosity of young people across the county.

2025 York County 4-H Rabbit Special Interest Club Meeting

Behind each enrollment is a young person eager to learn, lead, and grow—whether through hands-on STEM projects, caring for livestock, building life skills through leadership, or exploring new creative outlets. And it’s not just our traditional clubs that are growing. New opportunities like leathercraft, sewing, and grill masters have helped draw in fresh energy and enthusiasm from youth and families looking to connect, create, and contribute.

York County 4-Her shares about his 5th grade accomplishments including his competitions on the 4-H HotShots Shooting Sports Team.

This momentum didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of dedicated volunteers, strong community partnerships, and a shared belief in the power of positive youth development. With 30 clubs already active across the county, we’re seeing more families stepping forward to start new clubs and more teens rising to leadership roles than ever before.

And this is only the beginning.

Over the next year or two, York County 4-H is poised for even greater growth with the future addition of the Western York County Agriculture Arena. This facility will serve as a hub for agricultural education, hands-on learning experiences, and community events. It will expand our capacity to host shows, clinics, and trainings while opening doors for even more youth to participate in agriculture-based programs—especially those who may not otherwise have access.

Click here to learn more about the WYCAA

As our membership grows, so does our commitment to delivering high-quality, meaningful programs to every corner of York County. Whether a child dreams of becoming a scientist, a public speaker, an artist, or a farmer, there’s a place for them in 4-H. And with over 600 enrolled and more knocking at the door, the future of York County 4-H is brighter than ever.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is blog10-1024x792.jpg
4-H Afterschool Club at Bethany Elementary enjoys an ice cream treats served by Crossroads Cafe at McGill’s.

If you’ve ever considered joining 4-H, volunteering, or starting a club in your community—now is the time. We can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds, and we hope you’ll be part of it.

Kristin Kunde 

York County 4-H Agent 
Cooperative Extension
Clemson University

120 N. Congress St. York, SC 29745

w 803-639-9102
kkunde@clemson.edu