BY LANE DELAHANTY

Turlock Eagles 4-H

As National 4-H Week approaches (Oct. 6-12), Turlock Eagles 4-H is celebrating this year’s theme “Beyond Ready” by showcasing its commitment to preparing its members for the future. 

At the heart of Turlock Eagles 4-H is the commitment to fostering leadership in its members.  From a young age, members are encouraged to take on roles within the club, whether as officers or junior/teen project leaders.  This approach allows members to gain experience in organizing and planning club events, speaking in public and helping each other learn. 

One of the defining features of Turlock Eagles 4-H is its emphasis on hands-on-learning.  Members are encouraged to participate in a wide range of projects including gardening, marine biology, cooking, etiquette and various small and large livestock projects.  These projects are designed to teach practical skills while also fostering critical thinking and creativity. 

Turlock Eagles 4-H also places a strong emphasis on developing a solid work ethic in its members. Through its project activities, club meetings and community service initiatives, members learn the importance of dedication, perseverance and how to contribute to their community.  The members of Turlock Eagles 4-H strive to embody the 4-H motto, “Learn by Doing,” in every aspect of the club’s activities, reinforcing the idea that effort and consistency are the keys to success. 

While Turlock Eagles 4-H maintains the traditional value of developing the “Head, Heart, Hands and Health” of its members, this local club is committed to change and implementing new ideas including the ideas of the kids within our county.  This year, Turlock Eagles 4-H is expanding its project list to involve and include more technology. 

Each month, the Turlock Eagles 4-H Officer Team puts together an extensive google slides presentation for the club meetings.  This year, the members are using newly donated laptops to write stories about agriculture through its Ag Writing Project, to make vibrant flyers and posters for its events, and to learn how to create and update websites through its Website Design Project.  In the future, the members are looking forward to expanded use of the computer for projects such as coding and money management.    

The ”Beyond Ready” theme perfectly captures the club’s goal of giving young people the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. 

“Our members are gaining a deeper understanding of how technology intersects with agriculture and other industries,” said Turlock Eagles 4-H President Lane Delahanty.  Delahanty expanded and explained that “Combining traditional 4-H values with technological skills allows us as 4-H members to be prepared for college, be prepared to be excellent employees, and to have the skills to start our own businesses.”

With artificial intelligence, precision farming and digital tools becoming central to modern agriculture as well as advancing technology in all other industries, understanding technology is increasingly important for all members of Turlock Eagles 4-H whether they are going into agriculture in the future or any other industry.  Delahanty concluded that “National 4-H Week is a reminder that we’re learning skills that make us “Beyond Ready” for any path we choose!”