Kentucky 4-H has impacted the lives of thousands of youths since its inception. As it reaches its 100th anniversary, current and former 4-H’ers will be celebrating the organization’s past, relishing in its present and anxiously anticipating its future. You can help 4-H celebrate this milestone by showing your support for the organization throughout 2009.

The Centennial Kickoff Party is scheduled for Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington. This event is only one way the centennial theme will be woven into many of the traditional 4-H activities and events during the year. You can show your support by joining 4-H’ers across the state in wearing green the fourth day of every month this year.

You can help 4-H celebrate by embodying the principles that 4-H teaches. One of these principles is community service. Honor the 4-H Centennial by donating 100 hours of your time in the next year to activities that better your community. Make volunteering fun by choosing an activity that best utilizes your talents and is something you enjoy. This can be anything from volunteering with your local 4-H club to visiting nursing home residents, painting park benches or planting trees.

Work with your local 4-H agent to organize events that would be enjoyable for 4-H’ers of all ages. Some examples would be to have a 4-H parade or host an ice cream social, picnic or barbecue for all current 4-H’ers, alumni and volunteers.

Kentucky’s 4-H centennial is also a perfect time to become familiar with the history of 4-H in your county. There are several ways to do this. Members of different 4-H clubs can research the history of their club and compile them into one publication that discusses the history of 4-H in the county. It’s also the perfect time to locate the oldest 4-H awards in the county and speak with former 4-H’ers about the changes that have been made over the years and the organization's impact on their lives.

A celebration this momentous only comes around every 100 years. For more information on celebrating 4-H in your community, contact the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service.