“To Make the Best Better”

front of the herd, and the rest is history.

Thankfully my parents enrolled my sister and I in the local 4-H club where the project possibilities were endless. To this day, the 4-H clubs are managed through the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This excellent program is over 100 years old. The 4 H’s stand for:

HEAD - Problem solving: ability to sort out complex problems. HEART - Emotional development: developing good attitudes toward work and learning; developing acceptance and appreciation of other people.

HANDS - Skills development: ability to do, skill in doing and habit of doing. HEALTH - Physical development: understanding and appreciating a growing and changing body. The 4-H pledge sums it all up: “As a true 4-H member, I pledge My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, My health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.” These are inspiring words to aspire to and live by.

The natural progression for these up and coming leaders, movers and shakers is the Future Farmers of America organization. FFA is a vibrant youth organization that prepares members for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them realize their talents through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success.

I recently had the honor of presenting agricultural scholarships on behalf of the Mariposa County Farm Bureau to two dynamic young women from the Mariposa County FFA Chapter. As I sat in the Mariposa High School auditorium during the awards ceremony, I was extremely impressed with the students’ professionalism. The work ethic, dedication, devotion, inspiration, and comradery of these students was extraordinary. These young adults are living up to the National FFA motto of: Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to Serve. Imagine what our world could look like if more of our youth were involved in these two excellent, agricultural programs.

Supporting our local agricultural youth programs is a priority for the Mariposa County Farm Bureau. As always, I encourage farmers, ranchers and conservators to invite friends, neighbors and family members to join the collective voice of the Farm Bureau. Together, we can make our organization stronger than ever, one member at a time.