09-30-26 Commissioners Issue Proclamation For National 4-H Week (Photo)
- 09/30/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2026
Commissioners Issue Proclamation for National 4-H Week
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe October 4-11, 2026, as National 4-H Week in Douglas County. The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that “Douglas County recognizes that 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, and we want to recognize the significant impact it has made and continues to make by empowering nearly six million young people every year across the United States with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.” A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
“When many of us think of 4-H, we think of the county fair, livestock projects, the iconic green clover, and young people proudly showing what they have learned. And while those are important parts of 4-H, the impact of this program goes so much deeper. We believe 4-H is preparing young people for life,” stated Commissioner Tom Kress
The Commissioners recognized that local 4-H programs have helped thousands of youth in Douglas County to become more confident, independent, resilient, and compassionate leaders. In 4-H, there are over 130 projects to choose from! Projects are an area of focus like animal science, horticulture, clothing construction, communication, leadership, or civic engagement. According to the OSU Extension Service - Douglas County 4-H Program website, “4-H'ers learn by doing. 4-H is a place where kids can meet friends, experience belonging, explore new passions and interests, and gain valuable life skills. Backed by research-based hands-on learning, 4-H focuses on lifelong learning (Head), positive relationships (Heart), community service (Hands), and healthy living (Health). 4-H programming happens in and out of school through clubs, camps, workshops and other experiences. For more than 120 years, 4-H has been delivered by the Land-grant University System’s Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With over 6 million members, 4-Hers are everywhere! You probably know more 4-H'ers and 4-H alumni than you think. Oregon State University is Oregon's land-grant university, and the 4-H Youth Development Program at OSU Extension has a long history of supporting Oregon youth. Oregon State University is one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the United States. So today, Oregon 4-H'ers can learn about rocketry, robotics, entomology, honeybees, forestry, art, conservation, and more. We believe everybody deserves access to an education that transforms their lives.”
“I just love what 4-H does for kids. It’s always impressive to see the kids that are involved in programs like 4-H, and what they develop into with their skill sets and their confidence. I am excited to see what these kids do in the future, because it’s a brighter future knowing they are going to be involved!” commented Commissioner Boice.
Commissioner Boice presented National 4-H Week proclamation certificates to OSU Extension Service -Administrative Office Manager Geoff Puryear, OSU Extension Service – Douglas County 4-H Program Coordinator Kelly Simonson, OSU Extension Service - Education Program Assistant – 4-H Youth Development, Katie Baxter; Keeping it Country 4-H Club: Michelle Nelson, Leader/Parent; MaryBeth Twarowski, Member; Charlotte Nelson, Member; Sara Twarowski, Member; Tina Twarowski, Leader/Parent; Rebel Ranchers 4-H Club: Rebeccah Dunnavant, Leader/Parent; Kristi Reed, 4-H Member/Parent/Leader; Ciera Keith, Douglas County Fairgrounds Director; and Marc Heidt, Douglas County Fair Board. The Douglas County OSU Extension Office and the Douglas County 4-H Association oversee and administer the 4-H Program in our county. In 2025, they served 588 youth ages 5-19 years, supported 51 active 4-H clubs, operated club-based programs in more than 50 project areas, registered 277 adult volunteers and reported 23,238 volunteer hours in Douglas County. They also offer 4-H science class lessons at local schools that reach over 500 youth annually.
“I would like to take a moment to thank you Commissioners for recognizing National 4-H Week. When we talk about 4-H it’s easy to talk about numbers, projects, livestock, fairs and competitions. But for me Douglas County 4-H is about something more personal. It’s about kids finding a place where they belong and discovering that they are capable of more than what they thought they were. Sometimes the biggest accomplishments aren’t even with the ones that receive ribbons. It’s the young people who finally learn to raise their hand, the kids who learn gracefully how to try again, the mentor who becomes a mentor to someone younger, and the family that finds community through their kids 4-H group. That’s what makes Douglas County 4-H special. It’s not just about what young people do, but who they become while they are doing it,” remarked Kelly Simonson, OSU Extension Service – Douglas County 4-H Program Coordinator
“On behalf of the Fairgrounds, I want to say I appreciate the Commissioners recognizing the 4-H program. As you know we host many events throughout the year that have to do with 4-H. We know the value of their programs, and we are excited to share this next week with everybody. We want to bring light to everything that the 4-H program and the OSU Extension does in our community to showcase our local 4-H programs. When it comes down to it, that is what is important. Recognizing the kids, their hard work and everything they do year around,“ commented Ciera Keith, Douglas County Fairgrounds Director
“I am a former 4-H member, and now a proud 4-H parent. I wanted to talk about what 4-H has meant to my daughter. It’s much more than projects and ribbons - it’s given her a place to belong, helped her find her voice, and it’s opened doors we never imagined. Her accomplishments reflect the patience, consistency and persistence that she has learned from 4-H. That’s 4-H beyond ready and it’s building a generation ready for a world of change. I am grateful to the volunteers who have invested their time and encouragement in my daughter. The greatest reward is seeing her believe in herself, recognizing that her voice matters, and that she can make a difference in her community. Thank you again, Commissioners, for supporting 4-H and our Douglas County youth,” said Kristi Reed, 4-H Member, Parent & Leader.
The proclamation presented today is a reminder and encouragement for our residents to support local 4-H programs by volunteering, signing up to be a leader, attending 4-H events, donating at sales, buying animals at auctions and encouraging our young people to join and discover 4-H youth programs. To learn more about local 4-H programs, visit extension.oregonstate.edu/4h or facebook.com/4HDouglasCounty, or contact Kelly Simonson at kelly.simonson@oregonstate.edu. #opportunity4all #4Hbeyondready
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Chief Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov. Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County
