CORVALLIS, Ore. — As a child, Sherrie Deaton didn’t participate in 4-H.
She didn’t show animals, create static exhibits or practice archery. As an adult club leader with Oregon State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program, she’s done all of that — and more.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the program. Our program would not exist without them.”
Far from a burden, the time she dedicates to 4-H “is a gift.”
“You gain more than you give,” she said.
Deaton, a mother of two teenagers, now leads three Benton County clubs: Creations (cooking, sewing and art), Howling Hawks (STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and Power Paws (dogs). Over nine years, she has also helped with archery, sheep, pigs and horses.
Like many leaders, she didn’t plan on volunteering. Her daughter, Shelzza, was interested in horses, and that opened the door.
“We started with horse, and then we did cooking and sewing,” Deaton said.
After taking 4-H leader training, she launched a horse project club and the Creations Club. Two years later, her son, James, joined with interests in archery and pigs, and Deaton branched out again.
“It’s a gift to be able to do it,” she said. “I love the people I’ve gotten to know — other leaders, parents and kids. This gives me the opportunity to teach and watch kids ‘get’ a concept.”
Why volunteers matter
Known as America’s largest youth-development organization, 4-H is open to youths ages 5 to 19 and serves more than 6 million youths annually in the U.S.
Closer to home, Linn and Benton County 4-H programs reach about 5,000 youths each year through community clubs, school programs and summer activities. About 1,000 are directly enrolled in the two counties, supported by four 4-H youth development faculty (two in each county) and approximately 300 volunteers.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the program,” said Abby Johnson, 4-H faculty with OSU Extension in Linn County. “Our program would not exist without them.”
“We are extremely appreciative of all the time and energy our volunteers give to help our 4-H’ers thrive,” added Carolyn Ashton, 4-H faculty with OSU Extension in Benton County.
Most volunteers commit a couple of hours a month during the year, with a few extra hours during summer fair season. Deaton estimates she puts in about 200 hours annually across multiple clubs.
Help is welcome — even a few hours a month
Deaton holds a master’s degree and previously taught elementary school, but she emphasizes that expertise isn’t required.
She knew little about farm animals before leading pig and sheep clubs. She wasn’t a sewer before guiding a Creations Club.
“I’m terrible at sewing, but I’m learning. Every year I learn something new,” she said.
“My teaching background helps because if I don’t know an answer, I know how to find it. But you end up being more of an organizer than anything else. You can put in as much time as you have available. If you only have two hours to commit a month, there’s still a way to help. If you have 200 hours, that works too.”
The same flexibility applies to youths.
“We have some kids who just want to go to a few meetings and meet people,” Deaton said. “Then we have kids who go all in and take advantage of the full breadth of opportunities in 4-H.”
Opportunities for youths — and volunteers
Shelzza, a recent Monroe High School graduate, joined several clubs and represented Oregon 4-H at National 4-H Congress in Atlanta and National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. She also visited Salem during spring break to speak with Oregon legislators on behalf of 4-H.
James, a high school sophomore active in two clubs, traveled to Japan through the 4-H Outbound program.
“If you have a passion, there’s a way to grow that passion in 4-H,” Deaton said.
The program also helps volunteers grow.
“It’s a great way to practice your passion, teach it to others and watch them develop,” she said. “I definitely encourage people to get involved and become leaders.”
People interested in volunteering for 4-H can contact their local Extension office.
“With so many kids interested every year, we can never get too many volunteers,” Johnson said. “We especially need help in food, sewing and clothes, as well as Cloverbuds — our youngest age group.”
This story originally appeared in GROWING, a publication of Oregon State University Extension Service in Linn and Benton counties.
