4-H members learn values, responsibilty and community service

CANFIELD

Jennifer Casanta of Columbiana always knew she wanted her 12-year-old daughter Taylor to join 4-H.

Jennifer, a former 4-H’er herself, knew the youth development program would instill values and responsibility into her daughter.

“It’s kind of a family tradition,” Jennifer said. “We try to teach kids how to be good citizens and we try to teach the kids to grow up to be good people.”

Jennifer, one of the advisors of the 4-H club Rock Solid Riders said its 13 members are also taught how to care for horses and properly ride them. Taylor, who has been in 4-H since she was 9, shows her quarter horse Eagle’s Mark, better known as, J.R. at the Canfield Fair and was able to qualify for the Ohio State Fair this year.

Taylor is just one member of about 1,100 in 4-H, only some of whom show animals. Even if they are not showing animals at the fair, the members are still working together, learning leadership and doing community service throughout the year.

Emily Erb, a 17-year-old South Range High School senior who also has been in 4-H since she was 9, but unlike Taylor, she does not show any animals at the fair.

The well-spoken Erb is a member of the Kreative Kids club, one of 65 clubs in Mahoning County 4-H. She focuses on health and safety speech. She is also a member of the 4-H Royal Court, Erb was selected as one of 28 out of 500 youth in Ohio to go to the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga., in 2012. She was the first Mahoning County member of 4-H to attend.

Read more about the 4-H program in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.