“The milestones of my childhood were marked with blue ribbons, trips to camp and many happy memories … as a 4-H member,”  Skillman said.  “4-H is sometimes the only youth leadership program available in Hoosier communities, and I can speak from experience that it is one of the best. Members, who take on the challenges, do the work and learn from their mentors gain far more than ribbons for their scrapbooks.  4-H helps form character. It tests leaders. It brings out the best in the next generation, and it’s been doing that now in Indiana for more than 100 years.”

The 2011 Indiana 4-H Congress emphasized the “4-H Healthy Living” mission mandate this year.

Adult 4-H Volunteers were given training and tools on how to incorporate “4-H Healthy Living” into club meetings. Skillman mentioned that healthy living is also very important part of the state administration and called Purdue University and Indiana 4-H Youth Development “a great partner in progress.”

The 4-H mission is to assist youth and adults in their development by conducting hands-on educational programming, using the knowledge base of Purdue University, other land grant universities and the United States Department of Agriculture.

For more information, contact the Pulaski County Purdue Extension Office, 125 S. Riverside Dr., Winamac, IN, at 574-946-3412 or on itsbsite:  www.extension.purdue.edu/pulaski .