Fallin’ for 4-H

February 1, 2021

Cherokee County 4-H was off to a running start at the beginning of 2020. Laura Haddon started on January 6th as the first full-time 4-H agent our county has had in several years. Then…COVID! All clubs and school enrichment activities came to a screeching halt in March as 4-H agents across the state stepped back and came up with new, virtual ways to “make the best better”.

The Wilkins family from Blacksburg participated in the Embryology Summer Camp Kit

Individual 4-H projects were the perfect solution for many families with children home from school during the spring and summer months. Cherokee County youth participated in state and regional 4-H projects including the Small Garden Project, Tomato Project, Laying Flock/Pullet Project, and Steer Project. The Midlands 4-H Agents created 4-H@Home and 4-H agents across the state contributed daily lessons that were sent to children in Cherokee County and around the world! In lieu of our traditional summer day camps, Spartanburg and Cherokee agents, Carol Hamilton and Laura Haddon, pooled their efforts to create Summer Camp Kits that included STEM, Healthy Lifestyles, and art activities. One of the favorite camp kits was the Embryology Kit which allowed families to borrow an incubator from 4-H as well as provided them with up to 10 chicken eggs and daily email updates. Participants were able to watch as the eggs developed from embryos to chicks in a 21 day period. Chelsea Peeler, whose children participated in the camp, said, “This was an experience I wouldn’t have been able to give my kids without the 4-H program, and I’m so thankful we found them. We will continue to participate in 4-H events whenever possible.”

As schools reopened this fall, Cherokee County 4-H has been able to continue its partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Upstate. We have grown from five schools last year to seven schools this year! Laura is already busy providing STEM lessons to the almost 300 students who attend this after school program.

Boys & Girls Club youth learned about the Engineering Design Process

In addition to the Boys and Girls Clubs, Laura has reached out to fifth grade teachers across the school district, and with the help of Cherokee County Farm Bureau, has provided five classrooms (90 students) AgMags about different agriculture and science topics. Along with the AgMags, the teachers receive instructions and materials to complete activities that connect the students to agriculture in their daily lives and reinforce the science standards being taught in the classroom.

As we look hopefully ahead to more “normal” days, be sure to like Cherokee County 4-H’s Facebook page to stay up to date on all the club meetings, projects, and opportunities offered. Feel free to contact Laura by phone, (864) 649-8252, or by email, lhaddon@clemson.edu, if you would like to enroll your children or grandchildren in a 4-H club or project, volunteer to be a 4-H leader, or have any questions related to 4-H!