The first 4-H club was formed in 1902 to provide agricultural education for rural youth. These early clubs applied the “learn by doing” philosophy 4-H embodies today. The University of Arizona 4-H Youth Development Program provides quality youth education by building positive relationships and life skills. Members build life skills through 4-H by learning teamwork, time management, problem solving skills, public speaking, financial planning and budgeting. 4-H members develop a deep love for agriculture and citizenship.
The Santa Cruz County Mustang 4-H club has always had dedicated volunteers and the torch is being passed along to new leaders this year. New volunteers include Club Leaders: Dusti Prentice and Leigh Cheatham; Cloverbuds, Cami Schlappy; beef and horse, Kristin Tomlinson; market goat, Dusti Prentice; dairy cow, dog and cooking, Jennifer Keith; swine, Lacy Beyer and Stacy Scouten; lamb, Richard McPherson; dairy and pack goat, Leisa George; small stock, Audrey Reece and Heidi Gonzales; and Summer King as a club volunteer.
Working alongside our project leaders, we have club officers who build skill in communication, public speaking, organization and leadership through their service: Ryan Anderson – President, McKenzie Beyer – Vice President, Daniel Lindsey – Secretary, Ben Baez – Treasurer, Cash Keith – Sergeant Of Arms, and Rori Prentice and Laura Keith – Community Outreach/Friendship Officers.
The Mustang Club is invested in giving back to the community who support us. Our club will be working to beautify and maintain the Fairgrounds and will be reaching out to our community members who need a helping hand with yard work, fence mending or other odd jobs in order to instill a service-based mindset that reflects the values of 4-H. As 4-H members, we pledge our head to clearer thinking, our heart to greater loyalty, our hands to larger service, and our health to better living, for our club, our community, our country and our world.
This year we have many fundraising opportunities available to our community. We invite you and your family to come have some fun and meet our hard-working members while supporting your local Mustang Club. On Saturday, May 1, from 9a.m. to 3p.m., visit the Community Rummage Sale and Chicken Poop Bingo event at the Derby Day Celebration at the Sonoita Fairgrounds. We are accepting donations for our 4-H sale table, or purchase a table for $20 to sell your items. Our bingo raffle is $5 per square. Squares can be purchased in advance or the day of the event. For more information contact Jennifer Keith at 520-286-6659.
On Friday, June 4 we are hosting a Community Bingo Night at the Fairgrounds from 6p.m. to 8p.m. Hot dogs, popcorn, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Bingo Cards are $2 each with blackout bingo showdown to conclude the night.
Saturday, June 26, we are introducing the first annual “Livestock Activity Day,” building skills in showmanship, goal setting, communication, nutrition, grooming and husbandry. The camp is open to all 4-H members of Santa Cruz County who show livestock.
For more information about the Mustang 4-H Club, please contact club leaders Dusti Prentice at drdprentice@email.arizona.edu or Leigh Cheatham at superdestiny@aol.com You can also follow Mustang 4-H Club on Facebook.
Editor’s note: 15-year-old Cash Keith and 16-year-old Daniel Lindsey are club officers of the Mustang 4-H Club. Look for future articles in the PRT.