Archery Certification, 4-H Money-Making Projects, and Sausage Making 101 – these are just a few programs Prairie View A&M University’s Cooperative Extension Program has sponsored over the past few months.

“These programs fall under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 4-H Program,” said 4-H Program Specialist Dr. Joice Jeffries. “The goal is to provide people with life skills, leadership, volunteer, and character education opportunities to help them become productive citizens. 4-H members learn by doing, and all programs provide ‘hands-on’ opportunities for participants.”

Jeffries works with Extension agents, 4-H members, volunteers, and stakeholders in dozens of counties across Texas to support monthly programs that address current and trending issues. “For example, during our archery workshop last month, we had about 30 adult volunteers and students come to PV’s campus to learn about the bow and arrow from experts from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,” said Jeffries. “At the end of the day-long event, they applied to receive certification from USA Archery. In turn, this will enable them to teach this skill to people in their communities and lead 4-H archery projects. They will also enjoy other benefits such as improved physical fitness and upper body strength, as well as enjoying nature and their surroundings, thus, improving their overall health.”

What makes these 4-H programs even better is that they provide research-based information to participants. “We follow scientific guidelines from the USDA and use other research-based information to provide high-quality experiences and hands-on trainings and workshops with the citizens of Texas so they can live better and healthier lives,” said Jeffries. “The 4-H program has been around since the early 1900s, and its mission has remained the same – to improve the consumer’s decision-making process, help reduce the risk of chronic diseases with physical education, and teach people how to enjoy a better life overall, giving them the life skills they need to be successful and self-sustainable. Moreover, our youth are equipped with skills to ‘lead for a lifetime!’”

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-This story by Marchita Shilo originally appeared in Academic Insights.