Kitsap County 4-H Tractor Club explores the machinery industry
Published 12:47 pm Thursday, February 12, 2015
BREMERTON — Washington State University Kitsap County 4-H youth and volunteers of the Green Fever Tractor 4-H Club, in cooperation with John Deere and Stihl Northwest, participated in an exploratory field trip to the John Deere Regional Distribution Center in Portland and the Stihl Northwest facility in Chehalis on Jan. 26.
The 4-H’ers discovered distribution systems, explored career opportunities and learned of John Deere’s new international business model, according to Shannon Harkness, Kitsap County 4-H Program coordinator.
Harkness said that research shows the structured learning and encouragement from adult volunteers/mentors plays a vital role in helping 4-H youth achieve success in life.
“In fact, youth enrolled in 4-H are four times more likely to make contributions in their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices, and youth engaged in programming that explores science, technology, engineering and math are more likely to pursue a career in these areas,” she noted
“The 4-H Youth Development program is a Godsend for the tractor and machinery industry,” said Jason Johnson, WSU Kitsap County 4-H volunteer leader. “While vocational programs in secondary education are shrinking, the machinery industry is growing and needs quality long-term employees. Youth were able to ask very pointed questions of industry leaders at both John Deere and Stihl that will help determine career opportunities and educational requirements for them as they approach their adult lives.”
Safely operating tractors and machinery are also a top priority of WSU’s Kitsap County 4-H programming. “Coming up in March, the WSU Kitsap County Extension is offering our popular workshop series, Spring Tractor Safety and Machinery Workshop,” said Harkness. “Many youth and families living in Kitsap County haven’t had training on, or even exposure, to farm equipment. This programming seeks to educate and equip both 4-H youth and citizens of our communities on safe equipment operation and farm safety.”
Harkness said the Kitsap County 4-H Green Fever Tractor 4-H Club and the 2015 Tractor Safety and Machinery Workshop is one example of the exciting youth development programs that Kitsap County 4-H offers to youth, in partnership with caring adult volunteers and community partners like Washington Tractor (Poulsbo), John Deere, and Stihl.
Kitsap County 4-H offers projects in many other fields of experiential education, including animal sciences, robotics, camping, digital photography, leadership, clothing and textiles, and food sciences.
For more information about 4-H programming, please visit: http://ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/youth/ or email Shannon.harkness@wsu.edu.
