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West Sacramento News-Ledger

Going Strong 'To Make the Best Better'

Sep 30, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Barbara Ott

New Biggs 4-H officers left to right: Judah Kramer, Kensley Kaelin, Wyatt Duarte, Sofia Perkins, Keegan Phillips, Alana Phillips, Brayden Martin. Photo courtesy of Jonna Phillips

Going Strong 'To Make the Best Better' [4 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

BIGGS, CA (MPG) - National 4-H Week starts October 3rd and goes through the 8th.  4-H in Butte County provides a structure for positive youth development.  Over 500 youth with support from over 200 adult volunteers participate through nearly 20 4-H Clubs throughout Butte County. 

Biggs 4-H is going strong in fulfilling the goals of the four H’s. These are, Head, Heart, Hand, and Health. The 4-H pledge tells the story: I pledge: My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, My health to better living, For my club, My community, My country, And my world.

The Biggs 4-H Club has between 30 to 40 members.  There are a wide range of projects from the traditional with adult volunteers, such as: 

Swine - Samantha Johnson; Sheep - Doug Kaelin; Goats - Amanda Kaelin; Rabbits - Donna Crosby; Poultry - Sandi/Derek Moffitt; Arts & Crafts - Sam Stopplemore & Angie Cote; Cooking - Jonna Phillips. To newer projects: Aerospace & Rocketry - Sean Phillips, 4-H 101 - Amanda Kaelin & Jonna Phillips; Reptiles - Stephany McDonell. 

The Club is hoping to find some adult project group leader volunteers for projects in Photography, Painting & Fishing.

The following are the Biggs 4-H Club youth officers for 2022-2023:

Wyatt Duarte, President; Sofia Perkins, Vice President; Kensley Kaelin, Secretary; Keegan Phillips, Treasurer; Judah Kramer, Sergeant at Arms; Brayden Martin, Activities Commissioner; Alana Phillips, Reporter; Easton Vines, Healthy Living Officer.

The selection of projects by 4-H youth are based on their interests, needs, time available, family situation, suitability to area of residence, and availability of necessary tools and equipment. Projects may meet as little as 6 hours during 4-H year or as much as is necessary to learn skills and achieve goals. Projects meet at a leader’s home, at shops, at local farms, and many other places.  

One of the more popular Biggs 4-H fundraisers is their Apple Pies for Thanksgiving. For people who want to donate to the Biggs 4-H but don’t want pies, the Club does a community service by donating the pies to the Moose Lodge Free Thanksgiving Dinner.

The University of California Cooperative Extension supports all 4-H Clubs throughout California. The Butte County offices can be reached for more information about 4-H including all local clubs, at UCCE Butte County 4-H Office; Phone: 530-538-7201; 5 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965.

4-H is a youth organization that provides a variety of educational activities for youth ages 5 to 19.  Each 4-H Club offer projects and activities for youth to grow leadership, citizenship, and life skills.  Whether raising livestock, shooting off rockets, participating in leadership projects, or working on sewing projects, the goals are the same…to help youth to develop their full potential through fun and experiencing hands-on learning.