Banquet 2009, "A 4-H Night Under the Stars" 4-H would like you to "Meet the Future." And we couldn't do it without our Wilkes County 4-H'ers, volunteers, agents and program assistant. October 4-10 is National 4-H Week, and Wilkes County is celebrating! "National 4-H Week is an exciting way of representation for us to be proud of the wonderful youth in our community," says Audra Chapman, County 4-H Extension Agent. "Washington-Wilkes is very fortunate to have so many outstanding and talented young people in our community. We have a very exciting future ahead."

4-H has made me a better person by teaching me how to set and achieve goals and learning life skills. I am proud to be a Wilkes County 4-H'er. 4-H gives youth the skills to develop into responsible, hardworking leaders of the future," said Wilkes County 4-H Member Michael Edwards.

In Wilkes County, more than 250 4-H members are involved in 4 H from fourth through twelfth grade. Extension 4-H agents meet with 4-H members in schools, after school and during special club meetings. "There are more than 20 active volunteers in our 4-H club and I don't know what we would do without out them," Chapman said. "They work with our 4-H'ers on so many projects and teams." T he fundamental 4-H ideal of practical, "learn by doing" experiences encourage youth to experiment, innovate and think independently. 4-H programs are offered through school-based, after-school and camp settings and within community clubs. "Wilkes County 4-H programs offer so much to the youths here," said Chapman. "There is a project in 4-H that interests almost everyone. Whether it's through learning and judging events, activities, community volunteering or statewide competitions, our students are learning more about themselves and how they can better their communities."

2009 Poultry Judging Team Local 4-H'ers are proud to continue the tradition of mastery, generosity, belonging and independence through various activities and especially by helping the community. This year they have participated in many community service projects, judging events, showing livestock and having fun learning how to become better leaders.

4-H'ers served as waiters for the Relay for Life Survivor Dinner Wilkes County 4-H'ers help the community, but they also need help from the community. They need support through funding, volunteers and guidance in their project areas. You can join the 4-H community today. To learn how to become a 4-H member or volunteer leader in Wilkes County, contact Audra Chapman, County Extension Agent at University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Wilkes County at 706.678.2332 or email audrac@ uga.edu. Wilkes County 4-H is always looking for wonderful volunteers to help make the best better.

4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of National 4-H Headquarters (USDA). The 4-H programs are implemented by the 106 Land Grant Universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about the 4 H adventure at Georgia4-h. org.

Community service at Georgia TASC Human Development Center 2009-2010 Wilkes County 4-H County Council Officers and Board Members are: front row (l-r), Rebekah Hubbard, Ethan Holton, Cody McLeroy, Marlyse Sifre, second row, Ryan Jones, Megan Thackston, Ashlyn Holley, Tabatha Welch, Emily McNure, and standing, Jacob Hubbard, Amanda Wood, Jonathan Wood, John Pope, Courtney Thackston, and Joshua McLeroy. Community Service for W-W Humane Animal Shelter State Congress attendees in July 2009 were Brittany Klaus & Michael Edwards Cloverleaf Camp at Tybee Island 2009 S.A.F.E. B.B. Team 2009