"I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, my health to better living. For my club, my community my county, and my world." - 4-H Pledge

Growing up I didn't realize just how important the Carbon County 4-H program was to the youth of the community.I was a member of the sewing and basketry clubs, as well as the exchange program for just over four years.During that time, I learned new skills, met new friends - and lost one to a car crash - saw sights I never thought I would see and checked a few states off my bucket list along the way.I worked hard on the projects for the clubs and then showed the fruits of my labor at the annual Carbon County Fair.At the time, I thought 4-H, which my best friend introduced me to, was just a place to play and keep myself busy and didn't realize just how it helped form me as a person.But after I graduated and started my career with the Times News, I realized the 4-H program is so much more than just children's activities and projects to keep kids busy.The 4-H Club, which is an umbrella for a plethora of clubs from rocketry to livestock and everything in between, provides students ages 8 to 18 with a safe haven to explore their surroundings, hone in on their interests, nurse their life skills and grow into a well-rounded individual.Last week, I had the opportunity to listen to three young girls who are members of the livestock club speak about the animals they are raising for the upcoming fair.One young girl, Alyssa, who you can tell is as sharp as they come, will be showing her dairy beef steer in the upcoming 4-H Livestock Auction at the Carbon County.It was amazing to see these girls stand in front of a room of county officials and be so excited and proud to show the world what they have to offer and what they have worked so hard to accomplish.The girls and boys in these clubs are our future and the 4-H program is helping to forge a strong generation of forward thinkers, dreamers, farmers, botanists and more.We need to support them, enjoy their talents, nurture their creativity and help build their confidence.The 17th annual Carbon County Fair begins Monday and the Carbon County 4-H program will have a large presence there, from the exhibition tents that showcase the children's photography skills, sewing skills and gardening adventures to the variety of animals they made a commitment to raise a year ago.I urge everyone who will visit the fair to not only enjoy the various food stands and other activities that are planned, but also take the time to stop in the exhibition tents, see the amazing things the 4-H'ers created, speak to them if you see them and realize the positive potential of today's youth in a world where violence and mayhem seem to overshadow all that is good.Their pillows, dresses, rockets, photos and animals may not change the world today, but the skills these boys and girls are learning as they move through the program may just be the answer of tomorrow to make sure our future generations don't repeat the mistakes that have already been made.Congratulations, 4-H'ers, and good luck at the fair.