Where is the voice of 4-H? 4-H Clubs across America are being threatened by economic fall-out. With federal, state, and county budgets being cut, those with the weakest voice won't survive.

Where the dollars will be spent will have more to do with political clout than it will with common sense and priorities of greatest importance. Is there anything more important than our kids? And, is there any program in America that has done more for our kids than 4-H?

How can it be that some counties have already got their 4-H program on the cutting block? After more than 100 years of making a positive contribution to society, 4-H is in jeopardy of losing its funding and disappearing.

In packed boardrooms from border to border, program leaders and participants are pleading with county commissioners to reconsider cutting the funds. Commissioners seem to be responding with deaf ears and nonchalantly defer their concerns to state legislators. They suggest that this is the trickle down effect of an economy that is out of control.

There is no doubt that the economy is a runaway horse, and we have no idea where it's going to stop. But isn't this a priority that should take precedence over most any other county expenditure? Since when do the amenities of luxury come before our kids?

For those who care, there has been a real passion expressed for the cause of 4-H, but those that have the power to bring about change are not hearing the channel of communication. In relation to the big picture, it would only take pocket change to save 4-H. For about $100,000 per year, 4-H could remain viable in most counties As a percentage of most county budgets, this is so miniscule that it won't even register on the "budget-o-meter" in terms of keeping the county afloat.

I ask that you reach out to your legislator and others in a position to help, as I can personally testify to the difference that 4-H can make in one's life. Being an avid participant in 4-H and an ex-county extension agent is to reflect upon the great contribution it has made in my life. Having won the State 4-H Achievement award twice and the Alpha Gamma Rho gold watch award for outstanding achievement was a pretty strong foundation for building and shaping my life. To experience a leadership role at the National 4-H Congress in Chicago and build relationships that have lasted a life-time is reason enough for me to get on the bandwagon to help lead the cause to save 4-H.

For me, county fairs and 4-H are synonymous and they just might prove to be a good platform for taking our cause to the people. My involvement with county fairs is now that of judging some of the 4-H livestock classes. It is so uplifting to be around young people that address you as sir and stop to give thanks and express words of appreciation for being their mentor and teacher. This is not only heart-warming, but gives cause to believe that the kids of today can give us great hope for tomorrow. If we would just give our youngsters more opportunity like 4-H to develop skills and learn responsibility, we wouldn't see them being barred from such places as the Mall Of America, or signs posted on convenience store fronts, saying "No more than two teenagers allowed in store at one time". These actions speak so negatively, and point to such failure by parents and related adults that one has to question why the 4-H clubs of American are not bigger and stronger, and supported with more commitment by the moms and dads.

As much as I believe in the ability of 4-H to develop character, integrity, and the responsibility of marketable skills, I'm concerned about the pressures of society to mainstream it into a watered down version of our educational system. Education in this country has become a joke, where kids can graduate without knowing how to read or write, and where teachers are cowards of principle. There is not one adult among us who can stand blameless if we allow this to happen to even one child. This might be the fight that will motivate us to get help!

Our kids are no different than the fruits of our labor or the harvest of our sewn seeds. They are what we allow them to be, so let's take better care of our most precious natural resource. If we would put as much effort into the development of our families as we do that of our ecology and environment (much of which is pure bias and speculation) and, for the most part, is in the hands of a higher power, we would focus our priorities, energies, and wealth on those that will inherent the earth — our children, not the other way around.

My concern for the future of 4-H was recently brought to my attention by one of the past Iowa Republican Party conventions. At that convention, there was concern expressed that Iowa's 4-H clubs were in peril of becoming hot beds of socialism. Amid the abortion (against) and tax cut (for) planks of the adopted party platform, was a plank in which the GOP went on record saying, "We oppose the encroachment of socialism in 4-H competition at county fairs." If it is to come to this, shouldn't we all be concerned? If 4-H is the last remaining cornerstone of the future of our youth, shouldn't we all stand a little taller to preserve what it was and what it should remain? And now I'm even further dismayed about the future of 4-H. Will there be money enough to sustain it?

I applaud and admire Iowa's GOP 4-H plank, which was the work of religious conservatives who claimed that a change in the way the state 4-H hands out ribbons at county fairs was creeping socialism.

The encroachment of socialism thing had to do with a movement at the county fairs, on a pilot basis, to have participation ribbons at the fair, as apposed to blue, red, or white placing. This meant, in its strictest sense, that competition is not as much a part of the fair as it was in the past. The competitive edge to win and excel is no longer the driving force, but rather the acceptance of mediocrity as the norm. Could this attitude further contribute to the end of 4-H, or are you willing to get out there and fight for what's right?

When we can no longer talk about winners and losers, the line of least resistance will prevail. It's much easier to be a loser than a winner, so if there are no consequences or the brass ring eludes us, why bust your butt!

4-H was built on the spirit of competitiveness, and it is the light of he or she who has the most stars that shines the brightest. It is on this very principle that 4-H can point with pride to an unending "Parade of Champions". The real champions are those kids hanging on to the end of those lead ropes, knowing that the way to the winners circle comes by the way of experience. The county fair is the showcase of experience, not always so pleasant, as nobody gets placed to the head of the class without first experiencing some heartache and disappointment. But isn't it better to learn how to deal with these lessons of life in the structured compassionate arena of 4-H than on the streets for which there are no second chances?

I speak from experience when I express the accolades of 4-H, as it is with the greatest sense of humility that I credit 4-H for any and all of the successes that I've enjoyed in life. Though I've known my share of failure, it is the experiences of my 4-H days that gave me direction in life, became the foundation of my vocation, and taught me to always be competitive — to strive to be the best — without always being the winner.

It all started because a certain County Extension Agent, Marvin Nordbo, who cared enough to give me a call on a rainy Saturday morning asking if I would like to compete in a livestock judging contest. Anything to get away from staying home and cleaning the barn, I said yes. And much to my surprise, I won the event. It was an inspirational beginning to a wining way of life that can be attributed, in big measure, to 4-H.

May 4-H continue to grow in the tradition for which it has lasted all these many years. The 4-H (Head - Heart - Hands and Health) organization began in rural America in the early 1900's as part of a drive by congress to have youngsters learn about agriculture, forestry, conservation, and home economics by participating in various activities. But, it came to be so much more in the positive development of individual lives.

With this comes the plea for your help to save 4-H. County fairs across this nation are rich with agricultural and rural culture. This ought to be maintained, and with your help it will!

The 4-H clubs of America need your help. Budget cuts in a depressed economy are threatening to destroy 4-H. Please contact me if you have an interest in helping to save 4-H!