Forged In 4-H
Mark Cathcart
Being a 4-H agent is the most rewarding, frustrating, difficult, and easiest job I have ever had. 4-H agents do everything at once while everyone thinks you are doing nothing or just playing with kids. On top of that, we must figure out how to pay for it all. It is often difficult to obtain proper funding to conduct programs at the desired level. Every now and then an opportunity comes along that can help with funding our programs. The Extension Innovation Award is one of these opportunities.
As a blacksmith, I have a desire to pass the love of this trade on to a younger generation. The blacksmithing “tools of the trade” are always two things, heavy and expensive. With that in mind, I piloted a blacksmithing program with a homeschool group with “makeshift” equipment and some of my own personal tools to see what would happen. The enthusiasm was overwhelming! At this point I realized that with a dedicated set of equipment their learning curve would steepen, and the love of this trade would deepen. Now I had a new problem, MONEY. After receiving the Extension Innovation Award, I was able to leverage the City of Union to give some more money to buy the proper equipment. This equipment has allowed me to accelerate the home school group’s knowledge and technique as well as conduct two summer day camps. We even gave the program a name, “Forged In 4-H”.
“Forged In 4-H” is designed to teach metallurgy and blacksmithing skills, as well as provide school enrichment through demonstrations, in a safe manner, with the use of chemistry, geometry, physics, math, and hands on projects. This program and equipment are being used to teach 4-H youth of all ages and any student through school enrichment including homeschool groups. The equipment will be housed in Union County, where the principal teaching location will be. The equipment will be kept mobile so that it can be moved to any county in the state to conduct short term projects, demonstrations, day camps, and school enrichment.
The use of hands-on learning techniques will allow students to experience and learn the trade of blacksmithing. With a resurgence of interest in blacksmithing, this is a need that begs to be met. This program is innovative for several reasons. First, we are leading the way in offering blacksmithing in 4-H. Only a few counties in the nation offer a 4-H program similar to this one. This may be due to lack of agents and volunteers who do not have the knowledge or funding. The interest in just my county has been overwhelming. Second, blacksmithing is an ancient art, but we will be teaching it in a new, modern, and exciting way. We will be teaching the life skills of blacksmithing to the younger generation, instilling an appreciation for an ancient art form, and preserving skills that we do not need to lose as a society. Third, we will be providing hands on knowledge and skills in a field that may become a career for some 4-H’ers. Forging, welding, metal working, and fabricating are not going away any time soon. In a world filled with technology, all too often we do not teach youth how to make something real and tangible. With young people spending an exorbitant amount of time on computers and cell phones, real world skills fall to the wayside. Putting simple math and geometry skills to work, seeing chemistry and physics in action, and developing simple hand eye coordination can easily be overlooked.
As youth development agents, it is our job to help young people choose a life path. If we can help these 4-H’ers become productive citizens, then we have done our job.
Some really nice stuff on this internet site, I enjoy it.
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
nhà cái bet168 – Điểm đến cá cược trực tuyến đẳng cấp châu Á, nơi hội tụ đầy đủ các trò chơi hot nhất hiện nay như cá cược bóng đá, casino live, poker, tài xỉu, bắn cá, lô đề online và hàng ngàn slot game siêu hấp dẫn; với công nghệ hiện đại, tốc độ truy cập cực nhanh, giao diện tối ưu cho cả máy tính và điện thoại, Bet168 giúp người chơi tận hưởng không gian giải trí mượt mà, tiện lợi ở bất cứ đâu; đặc biệt, hệ thống nạp rút an toàn, siêu tốc cùng chính sách bảo mật dữ liệu nghiêm ngặt giúp bảo vệ tuyệt đối thông tin cá nhân và tài khoản của người chơi; kết hợp cùng dịch vụ chăm sóc khách hàng chuyên nghiệp 24/7, Bet168 khẳng định vị thế là nhà cái cá cược trực tuyến uy tín hàng đầu hiện nay.
You are my breathing in, I possess few blogs and sometimes run out from to brand.
Well I really enjoyed studying it. This post offered by you is very practical for good planning.
Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people.
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
I’ve recently started a website, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “Quit worrying about your health. It’ll go away.” by Robert Orben.
What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist different users like its helped me. Great job.
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome weblog!
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I used to be seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
As a Newbie, I am continuously exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I used to be more than happy to search out this net-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this glorious learn!! I definitely enjoying every little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
I just like the valuable info you supply in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check once more here frequently. I am reasonably certain I’ll be informed many new stuff proper right here! Best of luck for the following!
Its wonderful as your other blog posts : D, appreciate it for posting.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. Nevertheless think of if you added some great photos or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could definitely be one of the greatest in its field. Terrific blog!
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and definitely will come back from now on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, have a nice weekend!
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you to continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
Very good written article. It will be valuable to anybody who utilizes it, as well as myself. Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue with your web site in internet explorer, might test this?K IE still is the marketplace chief and a good section of people will leave out your excellent writing due to this problem.
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I take a portion of your post to my blog?
I will immediately grab your rss feed as I can’t in finding your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
F*ckin’ tremendous issues here. I’m very glad to look your article. Thanks so much and i’m taking a look forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
Just what I was searching for, thanks for putting up.
F*ckin¦ remarkable things here. I¦m very glad to peer your article. Thank you so much and i’m having a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
You can certainly see your expertise within the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
You are my inhalation, I have few blogs and infrequently run out from brand :). “Fiat justitia et pereat mundus.Let justice be done, though the world perish.” by Ferdinand I.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read more things about it!
Whats up very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I’m satisfied to seek out a lot of useful information here in the submit, we want work out more techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back in the future. Many thanks
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Greetings from California! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good blog!
Wow! This could be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
Almost all of whatever you claim happens to be astonishingly accurate and that makes me ponder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this in this light before. This piece truly did switch the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject goes. However there is actually one factor I am not too cozy with so while I make an effort to reconcile that with the actual central idea of the position, let me see just what the rest of the readers have to say.Very well done.
An attention-grabbing dialogue is worth comment. I think that you need to write more on this subject, it might not be a taboo subject however usually persons are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.2
I feel this is one of the most vital info for me. And i am satisfied reading your article. But wanna observation on few general things, The website taste is wonderful, the articles is actually great : D. Good job, cheers
Some truly howling work on behalf of the owner of this site, dead outstanding content.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
so much good info on here, : D.
I reckon something really interesting about your blog so I saved to my bookmarks.
I’ve recently started a website, the information you provide on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you have been working with? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I would like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I?¦ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂
I see something genuinely interesting about your website so I saved to fav.
Almost all of whatever you assert is astonishingly appropriate and it makes me ponder why I had not looked at this in this light before. This particular piece really did switch the light on for me as far as this particular topic goes. However at this time there is actually just one point I am not necessarily too comfy with so whilst I try to reconcile that with the main theme of your position, permit me see exactly what all the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Nicely done.
Excellent post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!
Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to swap solutions with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
Very good written post. It will be valuable to everyone who usess it, including myself. Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts.
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It should at all times be stimulating to read content material from different writers and observe a little bit something from their store. I’d desire to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
It is actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Thanks for another informative web site. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks a lot!
Magnificent site. Plenty of useful info here. I?¦m sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your effort!
excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
you’ve gotten an important weblog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?
I have recently started a site, the info you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Sweet internet site, super style and design, real clean and employ friendly.
Excellent website you have here but I was curious if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Thanks for some other fantastic post. The place else may anybody get that type of information in such an ideal approach of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the search for such information.
Sweet website , super pattern, real clean and use genial.
Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to say that I get in fact loved account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I fulfillment you get entry to constantly rapidly.