"National 4-H Council has received a $1.5 million award from the Monsanto Company to drive the expansion of the National 4-H Volunteer Initiative," according to a press release from the National 4-H Council. "The new grant will fuel the expansion of vital volunteer training programs and fund the development of new volunteer recruitment and retention strategies." "Generous partners like Monsanto continue to make it possible for 4-H to thrive in today's economy and to continue building our extensive network of well-trained volunteers, ensuring that our nations's youth have the positive mentoring, guidance and hands-on learning they need to become future workforce leaders and active citizens," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council president and CEO.
As a 10-year 4-H member in McLean County, Illinois, I am thrilled to see a company like Monsanto making investments in human capital for the future of the agriculture industry. 4-H does a fantastic job preparing youth with vital life skills including: leadership, persistence, responsibility, service and strong work ethic. Through 4-H, my sister and I showed market lambs, took on leadership roles, practiced public speaking, learned about agriculture and discovered our talents.
Purchasing, raising and showing lambs taught me responsibility, persistence and hard work. On summer evenings we would spend time in the barn, as a family, working with the lambs, cleaning pens and feeding. Over the years, we grew, as did our skill and knowledge. After 10 years of hard work, my sister Lynsie received Grand Champion Market Lamb at the Illinois State Fair. It's difficult to explain the emotion -- but it was truly a family victory. There was a lot of hugging, tears and excitement from family, friends and even competitors. But the stories we reminisce on today, are about challenges we overcame and how far we progressed over the years.
While 4-H provided many wonderful, family memories and life lessons, it also guided me to where I am today. I began public speaking as an eight-year-old 4-Her. Over the years, I wrote different styles of speeches and delivered them on the county and state levels, but most importantly, I gained feedback to improve my ability in the process. In high school, I became active in FFA public speaking and addressed key agriculture issues like pork production practices and biotechnology. Through learning about ag issues and speaking about them, I found my passion for agricultural communications and pursued that major at the University of Illinois. Just this spring, I volunteered as a judge for the Champaign County 4-H public speaking competition. It was incredible to go back to the beginning and guide and encourage the new 4-Hers, just as others did for me. I realized how far I have come in 12 years -- it all started in 4-H.
I am proud to be interning with a company like Monsanto that values investing in the development of youth who will, one day, lead our imperative and dynamic agriculture industry.
