Top: Patricia Schuck and Linda Schulmeister, both of Old Bridge, share some stories about the Middlesex County 4-H during the Middlesex County Fair in East Brunswick on Aug. 8. Above: Alumni of the Middlesex County 4-H reminisce over photos. Members of the Middlesex County 4-H program know the public perception is that they are all about farm animals.
But there’s much more to it than that.
“We’re more than just animals. There’s an old saying that we are more than just cooking and cows, and that’s true especially in this county,” said Julianna Ezzo, a teen ambassador for the Middlesex County chapter.
Her mother got her involved in the organization as soon as she reached kindergarten age.
The Middlesex County chapter is part of the national 4- H Youth Development organization centered on youths from kindergarten to freshman year of college.
PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN According to Laura Bouvitz, county agent for Middlesex County 4-H, there are 450-500 members in the organization’s 32 clubs.
The goal of the program is to teach valuable life skills and encourage members to be more active in the community.
According to the 4-H website, the group is named for the four values of the organization:
Head – Managing, thinking
Heart- Relating, Caring
Hands- Giving, Working
Health- Being, Living.
The group has had a lasting impact on members, many of whom continue to volunteer with the group and send their children through the program.
“Once it’s in your blood, it’s always there,” said alumnus Debi Scott, who has been in the Middlesex chapter of 4-H since the 1970s.
On Aug. 8, the Middlesex County 4-H held its 75th reunion bringing together members of all generations who mingled and shared memories of their experiences.
Dorothy Hauser has been in 4-H for half a century and all of her children are graduates of the program.
“When I see my kids now who are all grown they say, ‘It was the best time of my life,” said Hauser.
Many members said they wanted to get involved after seeing their friends join.
“I started in 4-H when I was in grammar school. I joined because I saw my friends after school going to the Methodist Church in Sayreville and one day I went over, with my parents’ permission, and joined,” said Mary Lou Earl, who joined 4-H in the 1960s and has been a member since.
Members met Aug. 8 in the 4-H youth center at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick and shared photos as well as stories of their experiences.
Tables were littered with books of photographs of club members and activities throughout the ages.
For many members, the memories of what they learned have stayed with them.
“I was in a sewing club and, believe it or not I was able to make my own prom dress. I got it judged and received an ‘excellent’ on it. I will never forget that,” said Scott, who credits her sewing ability to the leader of her sewing group.
Her daughter, Evonne, now participates in several clubs within the 4-H. Scott credits the program for giving her daughter the confidence and leadership skills to succeed in school and in life.
“She has confidence, she has taken over leadership positions. She’s going to go places because of 4-H,” said Scott.
According to Pat Schuck, the national organization began as a way to teach children of farmers about new agricultural technology.
“It was started to teach farmers a more modern way to farm. They [the farmers] were not accepting of more scientific ways so the way to reach them was through their children,” said Schuck, who went through the program in the 1960s.
The 4-H program has a variety of clubs that have traditionally focused on farmcentered activities from raising livestock and home making.
Recently, the organization has branched out from teaching the tricks of the farming trade. Through public demonstrations those going through the program are taught valuable lessons like public speaking.
“One of the wonderful things about county demonstrations is that it teaches kids how to speak in public,” said Schuck.
“They choose whatever topic they want — say how to give a horse a bath — and they learn how to answer questions. They get over that stage fright over time. This prepares them for life. Especially when it comes to going out on a job interview and feeling confident about themselves.”
After graduating from the organizaion she became a club leader and has been a leader for 30 years.
The 4-H has branched out from the stereotypical farming, livestock and homemaking clubs that were once the focal point of the organization.
“If you want to do a video gaming club, you can start it. If you want to make a shooting sports club, you can start it. You can do anything that you’re interested in. If it’s not here you can start it,” said Joshua Jerzack, a teen ambassador who is in the video game- centered Button Mashers Club.
At the annual graduation ceremony that same day, 20 members joined the ranks of alumni.
“Once you’re in, you’re never leaving,” said Jaysen Low who graduated at the ceremony. He said that he plans to come back to the club to lead Button Mashers.