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Jennifer
Hansen
State ESP Early Career Award
Jennifer feels that all those involved in 4-H programs are
important to the success of the program. Training parents and volunteers in
the different areas of 4-H helps build a healthy county 4-H program. If parents
know what is offered and what the benefits of being a member of 4-H are, then
the youth are likely to stay involved. This is why she has developed a Parent/Volunteer
Association. At the meetings training is given on the different areas of 4-H
such as: project books, cumulative records, ARI, and presentations.
Innovative programs such as Tobacco Education has touched
the hard to reach Middle School Students. The program was funded through the
local Electric Cooperative and is targeted to 6th and 7th grade students.
The program is not a "Say No to Tobacco" type program. It gives
youth the facts such as health concerns, cost, short-term effects and long-term
effects. This program is taught in the afterschool program. Serving as a County Partner with the 21st Century Grant has
allowed 4-H to reach a diverse clientele in two under served areas in the
county. Programs such as: skin safety, nutrition, animal science, breadmaking,
setting the table and manners. This program started January of 2002 and last
school year approximately 245 youth are reached. Something Jennifer is especially proud of is the development
of a successful 4-H Club program. When she moved to Pender County there were
no 4-H Clubs. Through some marketing and "reviving" the 4-H name
in the county, currently there are seven working 4-H Clubs. Evidence of 4-H
in the County is a working 4-H County Council, a Parent/Volunteer Leader Association,
project books, cumulative records and community service. Pender County youth
also attend and participate in Senior District Retreat, NC 4-H Congress, 4-H
Camp, ARI, National 4-H Congress, NC State Fair, Junior Beef RoundUp, Eastern
Carolina Showmanship Circuit, Livestock Skillathon, Horse Quiz Bowl, District
& State 4-H Horse Show, just to name a few.