I was seven year 4-H Club Member in the Kildare 4-H Club in Kay County, Oklahoma. My parents, 4-H Agents and volunteers provided me with opportunities that would set a path for me as I entered college in 1971. As a 4-H’er I showed livestock/horses, competed in livestock judging, public speaking, went to 4-H camp and during my high school senior year was one of twenty-one Oklahoma 4-H’ers that spent part of our summer in Europe and the Soviet Union. I had no clue that my 4-H involvement at that time would eventually lead to a career of providing similar educational opportunities for youth and others to learn, grow and develop those key life skills.
4-H has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life, to work on programs with peers from across the country and to develop friendships that last for a lifetime. I met my wife Cynthia when she was working as an Extension Educator. We have watched our daughter Elizabeth and her friends grow and excel because of 4-H and become young adults that will make a difference in this world. A 4-H mom pulled me aside years ago at the Arkansas 4-H Center and shared with me that her son J.J. had told her that he wanted to grow up and do what Mike does in 4-H. He participated in several of our state 4-H Camps and Programs at the Center. I watched him complete college, do an internship at the 4-H Center, get hired as an outdoor leadership instructor and yes he advanced to the 4-H Center Program Director position. J.J. is now the Arkansas 4-H Center Facility Director.
I have watched hundreds upon hundreds of young people set goals and climb all types of mountains because of what the 4-H program has provided them. It’s all about Head, Heart, Hands and Health.
