National 4-H Week Brings Big Opportunities for Dubuque County Youth

As a former 4-H kid myself, I’ll always have a soft spot for this program. From woodworking projects and photography to showing hogs at the fair, 4-H shaped a lot of who I am today. That’s why I was excited to sit down with Kelsie Kinne, the Dubuque County Youth Coordinator with ISU's Dubuque County Extension and Outreach, to talk about what’s planned for National 4-H Week across Dubuque County.

National 4-H Week in Dubuque runs Monday, October 6th, through Friday, October 10th, and it’s packed with ways for kids and families to celebrate, get involved, and maybe even try something new.

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Here’s what National 4-H week looks like in Dubuque:

• Mission Ready Monday (Oct. 6): Get outside and give back! Kids are encouraged to participate in civic engagement, whether that’s picking up trash, visiting a nursing home, or simply spending time outdoors..
• Show Your 4-H Spirit Tuesday (Oct. 7): Decorate your home, school, or even the sidewalks with 4-H pride. This is an opportunity to demonstrate to the community that 4-H is about much more than livestock.
• Wear Green Wednesday (Oct. 8): A countywide tradition, pull out your 4-H shirt or anything green and let people know you’re part of the movement.
• Thankful Thursday (Oct. 9): A day to write thank-you notes to 4-H leaders and volunteers who keep the program strong.
• On top of that, there’s a pumpkin scavenger hunt happening throughout the county all week long, plus fun 4-H trivia on Facebook for families to join in. Both run for the week through October 10th.

And if you’re curious about 4-H but not quite sure what it’s all about, there’s a perfect opportunity to check it out: Experience 4-H Day. It’s happening Sunday, October 19th, from 2 to 4 PM at the Peosta Community Center. The event is free, open to the public, and packed with hands-on activities, games, and a chance to meet current members and volunteers.

As Kelsie told me, 4-H is about helping kids discover what they’re good at and passionate about; whether that’s baking, arts and crafts, public speaking, and yes, agriculture too. It’s a program that builds confidence, leadership, and community. Check out my full interview with Kelsie below for more details.

If you’d like to learn more, you can reach out to the Dubuque County Extension Office, follow Dubuque County 4-H on Facebook, or check their website for details on how to get your family involved.

Take it from me, a former 4-H’er, this program can change a kid’s life. And with National 4-H Week right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to see what it’s all about.

Now, Get Out and Get Exploring Dubuque!