I'm sitting in my office, looking out over Washington DC, thinking how raising pigs has helped me get an exciting job helping the environment and low income families. Yesterday I was at a congressional briefing in the capitol building, later today I'm going to a meeting with high-level Maryland State Officials to convince them to implement a wood stove grant program that I wrote; things have changed a lot since I was chasing pigs around the Ninilchik fair, but somehow a lot of the principles I learned in 4-H still apply. I was in 4-H for eight years and it has really helped me to be the confident person I am today. I want to share with my old 4-H friends not only the details of the amazing organization I work for (and a great wood stove raffle we're doing), but really how 4-H has helped me get exactly where I want to be today.

I am the Program Manager for the Alliance for Green Heat, a small non-profit that promotes wood heat as a low carbon, sustainable, affordable way to heat your house. I love my job. I do a lot of policy analysis, research, report writing and presentations to officials; its very interesting and engaging. I'm the lead researcher and program coordinator for a year long project on wood heat sponsored by the USDA. Not only is wood heat good for the environment and the wallet, but it helps our country to get off of foreign oil and keeps fuel dollars in the local economy. Some of our current projects are: creating grant programs designed to help families buy a wood stove and get off of expensive heating fuels (electricity or oil), programs designed to get people to switch from old fashioned, high polluting stoves to ultra clean modern stoves (like the program in Fairbanks right now) and making sure federal tax credits for renewable energy are not restricted to solar and wind energy but also include wood heat. If you want to know more about our work, check out our website: www.forgreenheat.org. 

I can honestly say that I wouldn't be where I am today without 4-H. First of all, public presentations and business contacts may be scary and even excruciating at first, but the courage it takes to get up and present your opinions or information to a room, or to walk into a building and convince a stranger to buy a goat will serve you well the rest of your life. I used to whine so bad whenever I had to go do a business contact, I was so shy and nervous about pushing this person I didn't know to do something they had never before considered. After a while, without my even noticing, it got less scary and I became good at my job. Presenting myself and a compelling argument is exactly what you need to do in job interviews. For me, these skills are applicable in my day to day work where I meet people who have never considered using wood stoves for heat or haven't realized how environmentally friendly wood heat really is.

The people I try to enlighten can seem intimidating at first, sometimes I talk to Congress or Senate Officials, presidents of environmental groups and businessmen who make millions, but I was in Junior Market Livestock for seven years and its really not so different. People everywhere are the same. I learned how to approach someone and convince them why they should listen to me, or support me or my organization and how that would benefit everyone involved. Now instead of pigs, I'm selling an organization and ideas on how we can improve our world; And just like in JML, you get people who just aren't that interested- although I've never been threatened with a gun if I trespassed again like my brother was on one business contact. However, like JML, I get the thrill of talking to someone who I never would have met before and is interesting and genuinely wants to learn about my subject. Making connections with people is something I always loved in 4-H.

The skills you learn by being in a club and working with big groups of people help you to become a better teammate and when your hogs are wrestling each other in the arena you have to learn some diplomacy too. Actually diplomacy is a vital skill in all aspects of life, not just at work. I think I'm a better employee and a better boss because of 4-H. The work ethic and cooperation needed for fair work days are also great skills I use when working with different boards and groups as well as in my own office.

Finally, 4-H has taught me to appreciate the people in my life and a great appreciation for the world around me. My passion for the environment comes from days spent outdoors, either canoeing down the Swanson with the Funky Farmers, riding my horse through the woods with the North Road Riders or just hours spent taking care of my animals and vegetable garden. My love of working with people and community service is also strongly connected with the projects I did in 4-H and the awesome people I met. There are really too many great parents and volunteers to mention. I've loved getting to know everyone, and the 4H community has taught me so much. Working for a non-profit to benefit working families and the environment is how I'm going to start giving back. I still might end up with an alpaca farm somewhere, but for now I'm exploring city life and thinking fondly, and thankfully of my days in 4H and all the lessons I've learned.

Enjoy your time in 4-H, and appreciate every minute and lesson to be learned there!

All the best,

–Tatiana Butler

I was recently asked what has made the greatest impact in my life. Ideas and memories started swarming around in my head; not unlike a shark feeding frenzy. Examining each accomplishment and learning experience a significant pattern emerged. Everything, and I do mean everything, had a tie to 4H.

I remembered back to the first real 4H event I attended, rally days.  My family and I had just joined and we really hadn’t quite figured everything out yet. There are two things that really stick out in my mind at that first rally days. One was the way I clung to my mother, not wanting to leave her side, even for an instant. The second was making Chap Stick. I began to wander down my 4H memory lane, remembering the first time entering crafts at the Ninilchik fair and beaming with pride when my beaded bracelet won a blue ribbon. 4H opened my eyes to the many possibilities and even more opportunities I had to do what I love best; create. 4H has been a venue for my arts and crafts and let me explore the many different projects, experiences, and opportunities like no other program can. I owe my many achievements to 4H. I would not be half the person I am today without this incredible program.

The first public presentation day I went to, I remember being astounded that people would actually like public speaking!  When my turn came to present, I shuffled up to the front and muttered and stumbled along, looking at the floor most of the time. I hated every minute of it and couldn’t wait to be done.  I can’t say that speaking in front of people is my favorite pastime, but with the help of 4H, I am able to effectively present a topic to a room full of people.

The astounding flexibility of 4H has allowed my family to be involved in one program that all of us enjoy.  One of my sisters is completely obsessed with horses and animals. 4H has allowed her to pursue those passions and meet others with the same level of enthusiasm. My other sister is very interested in government and loves to give speeches. 4H has given her so many opportunities to learn and grow in her love for both. Because 4H encourages clubs in all areas, my family has been blessed with the joy of meeting like-minded families across the entire Kenai Peninsula, and well into the Fairbanks area. We have many good friends who share both our passions for projects, and 4H as a whole program. During 4H functions, I often find my parents swapping information with other 4H parents, jumping in and helping, and often times they love to sit in and learn alongside us. 4H is not just a program for kids; it is a program for the whole family. The family connection and togetherness we have could not have been achieved without 4H’s help.

4H is a not a program that you can stand idly by and expect not to be noticed.  This is an organization that, like a family, will wrap you with open arms and drag you right into the middle of things.  When I was first signed up for 4H, I was what you might call ‘painfully shy.’  I can remember how horrified I was when Nancy Veal, the 4H agent, asked me to teach a class. I had been making ‘boondoggles’ out of a flat plastic string for about a year.  It was great fun and I had taught myself many different techniques and patterns. I still have no idea why I said yes, other than the fact that you don’t say ‘no’ to Nancy.  Somehow I managed to show a group of 4Hers how to make a basic key chain. I surprised even myself by having a little fun!  Since that time I have had the privilege of more than 170 hours of teaching and tutoring. 

Thinking back over the years, I am amazed to see that 4H has helped not only my public speaking skills, but it prepared me for the business world. Without 4H’s help, I would not have known how to confidently give a business pitch about a project that I needed help to fund. Not only that, but 4H helped me get the job I wanted because of the interviewing skills I practiced through the Junior Market Livestock program every year. Without the many leaders and judges, critiquing, offering help and advice, and the many shoves from my 4H family as a whole, I would not be where I am today.

Thank you.

–Megan Hansen, UAF Collegiate 4-H