7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Bethany Kitzrow, a 2004 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, grew up on a family farm in Racine County where here family raised raised sheep. She has one brother along with her mother and father, and what she calls a huge extended family. She says 4-H has been a part of her family since 1938 when her grandfather first joined. She’s heavily involved in coordinating local 4-H activities and is employed by Kenosha County UW-Extension.

Bethany Kitzrow will now take your questions:

Is 4-H still viable with Kenosha County becoming more suburbanized every year? Yes , 4-H is still viable to Kenosha County as it gives youth the opportunity to explore their interests, develop new skills make new friends and lot of fun.

Is the County Fair circuit still the main stay for 4-H?
Although 4-H does not run the fair, the County Fair is still the main place that for youth to display their projects for others to see.

What’s your favorite part of the county fair? My favorite part of the County Fair is having the opportunity to connect with young people, their families and other adult volunteers who are involved in the Kenosha County 4-H program. Of course, eating great food such as the pizza puffs is also a plus!

Were you in 4-H as a child? What kind of projects did you participate in? What got you involved with the group? I was in 4-H for 13 years, I was involved in many projects such as clothing, sheep, dairy, home furnishings and foods. People ask me all the time why I joined 4-H. My answer is simple, I’m a third generation 4-H’r and its in my blood.

How is 4-H different today than it was when your mom was active in the early 50s? In the 1950s, Kenosha County was primarily still an agriculturally based county with lots of farms and farm families. Over the years, Kenosha County has experienced tremendous growth and change. As Kenosha County has changed so has the 4-H program. Today 4-H still offers animal projects, sewing, gardening and food preservation, but it also offers scrapbooking, archery, rocketry, photography and much more.

How does 4-H incorporate new technologies into its programs and events? 4-H incorporates new technologies all the time. We have a very complete Web site for Kenosha County 4-H which gives youth, parents, volunteers and the public direct access to vital information, forms and other programming resources. In addition, 4-H is in the process of switching over to a new computer program which will give adult volunteers the ability to communicate with the rest of the 4-H community with a click of a button.

What is the most important thing youngsters can get out of 4-H? Youth can gain so much from their involvement with 4-H. They build skills, explore interests, develop life-long friendships and most importantly have a lot of fun in the process. In addition, 4-H members gain confidence and a real sense of belonging. I think the 4-H pledge best sums it up: I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living … for my club, my community, my country and my world.

If you were to describe 4-H to young, citydweller who never heard of the organization, how would you describe it? 4-H is an organization where you will have an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills, explore your interests, and have a lot of fun.

What is your favorite farm animal?
Baby lambs!

What is one stereotype/misconception about 4-H that you would like to dispell? That 4-H is only for farm kids. 4-H offers so much more. There are over 50 different projects youngsters can choose from. Some of these are rocketry, photography, arts and crafts — the list goes on. Some youngsters are leaders of their clubs — they lead projects on their own and their ideas are valued, respected and suggestions incorporated into the program.

What improvements would you like to see made to 4-H?
4-H could use more publicity so that more people become aware of the program. 4-H can involve the whole family including the grandparents.

Are people more or less environmentally aware today? How “green” are you? I believe that 4-H members are environmentally aware. Individual clubs have done many service project ranging from recycling to tree planting. There is a saying in 4-H that goes like this: “4-H, we’ve always been green!”

If your mother were to describe you in five words or less, she would say: She would say I’m energetic, passionate, social and fun-loving

What hobbies, including what you like to do with 4-H, do you have? In my personal life, I show sheep, play volleyball, sew, read, volunteer, and I like running. In my professional life, I really enjoy working with youth and adult volunteers. It’s great to witness all the wonderful opportunities 4-H provides.