To Make the Best Better

To make the best better. They are five simple words but within them they hold so much meaning to the 4-H program. Developed in 1927, “to make the best better” is the official 4-H motto. Although the motto is 95 years old, the meaning is still the same and is what we strive for in the 4-H program. This motto encourages and reminds youth to strive for continual improvement in their personal life, at school, with their 4-H projects, in their community, and every aspect of their life. This motto reaches beyond a youth’s time in 4-H program, as the 4-H program is all about life skill development. As 4-H members gain and enhance life skills throughout their 4-H career, it is the goal that they leave the program with the tools and skills “to make the best better” wherever they go and whatever path they pursue.

The 4-H program focuses on positive and sustained relationships between youth and adults, activities that build life skills, and opportunities for youth to use these skills as participants and leaders in valued community activities. The Montgomery County 4-H program has almost 100 adult volunteers that work tirelessly to help provide the best positive youth development experience for the youth in our community.

Subjects include: science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); agriculture; citizenship; healthy living; art; consumer and family sciences; and more. In 2013, a Tufts University study showed that 4-H members also excel in positive youth development areas compared to peers, including:

• Four times more likely to contribute to their communities (grades 7-12)
• Two times more likely to make healthier choices (grade 7)
• Two times more likely to be civically active (grades 8-12)
• Two times more likely to participate in extracurricular STEM programs (grades 10-12)

4-H enrollment is open now and we would love to have your child join! To enroll in the Montgomery County 4-H program, visit https://v2.4honline.com or visit the Montgomery County Extension office at 400 Parke Avenue, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. The program fee for enrolling in 4-H is $15 per child and mini 4-H (grades K-2) is free. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Abby Morgan at the Extension office at (765)364-6363 or e-mail [email protected]