4-H Green Shirts Pay a Call on Springfield

BY RHIANNON BRANCH, RFD RADIO NETWORK

It’s not every day youth as young as 14 can be found speaking to legislators at the Illinois Capitol, but Illinois 4-H Legislative Connection allowed youth to do just that this week.

Illinois 4-H members ages 14 to 18 who have completed a one-day training to join the Speaking for Illinois 4-H Team register to attend. Youth are put in groups and assigned to specific senators and representatives. Each is responsible for booking appointments, meeting with legislators and delivering informative handouts about the 4-H program.

“We are here to tell our 4-H stories to the legislators and paint them a metaphorical picture of the impact 4-H has on our lives. My story is about the over 100 hours of community service that I have been involved with throughout my membership,” said Effingham County 4-H member Taylor Hartke.

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY 4-H MEMBER TAYLOR HARTKE SPEAKS WITH REP. CAROL AMMONS, D-URBANA, DURING THE 2017 ILLINOIS 4-H LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION)

Several legislators learned something new from each member they spoke with. Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, did not grow up in 4-H, but now has a son in the program. She introduced the 4-H members to the General Assembly during the event.

“As a Champaign County board member, I knew of 4-H but I was never involved. Through this event, I am learning more about how 4-H can be used to spark the interest level of young people and break their shell open. As a legislator, I think programs like 4-H should be broader and more publicized to children who think it is not an option for them,” Ammons said.

Representative Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, is a 4-H alum from Washington County and current 4-H leader of 35 years.

“When the green shirts come to the capitol building we know who they are. It is great that the members get to talk to the legislators because a lot of them do not have a 4-H background and think that it is a club only for farm kids. We have things out there for everyone in 4-H, and it is a very diverse group. I know the leadership and public speaking skills I learned in 4-H helped get me to this position,” said Meier. 

Illinois 4-H Legislative Connection allows 4-H members to practice leadership, citizenship and professionalism as well as perfect their speaking skills and reflect on how the 4-H program has impacted their lives, even at an early age. In addition, it creates a solid networking connection between the 4-H program and state legislators to promote and support opportunities that 4-H offers.