Ericsons create family legacy in 4-H

Doris and Henry Ericson, left and right center front, with their children and some of their grandchildren, celebrate being selected as the 2007 4-H Family of the Year. The couple, who both have participated in 4-H, have six children and 15 grandchildren who have also been 4-H members, carrying on a family legacy in the organization.

A Bourbon County family was awarded the honor of 4-H Family of the Year in Kansas for 2007. The presentation took place on May 31 in Manhattan.

Henry and Doris Ericson had been 4-H participants as children. In fact, according to the K-State Research and Extension Web site, the Ericsons met each other at a 4-H event. The two have created a 4-H legacy that their children and grandchildren have been following for years, the Web site said.

The Ericsons have spent their vacations for the last 15 years at the Bourbon County Fair in Fort Scott. Doris manages the 4-H concession stand, which is a fundraiser for Bourbon County's 4-H programs. Henry can sometimes be found helping his wife in the concession stand or working in the barns or with the livestock sale, the Web site said.

The Ericsons said they are pleased that their children and grandchildren have participated in the 4-H program.

"We had six children and 15 grandchildren that that were all 4-H members. We are very proud of that," they said.

According to the Ericsons, 4-H has many activities for a variety of people.

"There is something for every child," they said. "They don't have to be just country youth; they can be city too," the Ericsons said.

4-H participants can take part in many activities other than animal activities. Some other activities that 4-H participants can take part in include photography, rocketry, entomology and geology, they said.

The Ericsons said that 4-H is not only for children; parents can learn a lot from the program, as well.

According to the 4-H Centennial Web site located at www.4hcentennial.org, the 4-H program began in 1902. The new program was created because of the need for agricultural education for children. No one individual is credited with starting the program. It was founded through the joint efforts of several people over a few years, the Centennial Web site said.

The Ericsons are not the only ones in Bourbon County who see 4-H as a beneficial program for the area youth. Cole and Drew George have also participated in the 4-H program for a number of years.

Cole said that he has been involved in 4-H for the last seven years and enjoys many of the activities the program offers.

"I enjoy the horse, beef, swine, woodworking and leadership projects. Participating in the fair is a great way to have fun," he said.

Cole's brother, Drew, who has also been involved in 4-H for the past seven years, said that he too enjoys the 4-H program.

"My favorite part of 4-H is the Junior Leaders Organization. We planned several activities this last year, such as one day camp, mud volleyball at the fair and several community service projects," he said. "These activities were a great way to meet new friends and help the community at the same time."

Recently, a new 4-H mission statement and vision were developed as a part of the National Strategic Plan, "Power of Youth in a Changing World," the Centennial Web site said.

"The new mission statement is, '4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.' the new vision is 'A world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change,'" the statement said.

The Bourbon County 4-H Fair is partially funded by the Bourbon County Chapter of the United Way, 116 S. Main St. For more information about the Bourbon County Chapter of the United Way call (620) 223-0980. For more information about the local Bourbon County 4-H program, contact the local extension office at (620) 223-3720.