Morgan Myers may only be 10, but she isn’t afraid to step up to a steer and guide it around at the 4-H auction every August.

Besides raising steers as a project in the Livestock Club, Myers also raises poultry and is involved in the sewing, quilting, ice fishing and kitchen chemistry clubs.

“It’s fun to do and I love it,” she said Thursday. “I like showing my animals and making new friends every year.”

Myers is beginning her third year as a 4-H member, joining the program after watching her sister in the clubs and is looking forward to what she will learn.

The Lehighton girl is just one story of the many boys and girls involved in the Carbon County 4-H program.

On Thursday, the Carbon County Commissioners recognized the 4-H program for all it has to offer through a proclamation naming March 17-23 as 4-H week in Carbon County. Representatives from the organization were present at the event.

The proclamation states “The youth of Carbon County is one of the county’s most valuable resources ... 4-H members contribute to environmental improvement, community service, food production and participate in programs that aid in youth development, health, nutrition, home improvement and family relationships ...

“4-H youth apply leadership skills, acquire a positive self-concept and learn to respect and get along with people. … Therefore, the Carbon County Board of Commissioners proclaim the week of March 17-23, 2019, as ‘4-H Week in Carbon County’ and urge all citizens to give recognition to the people involved in the 4-H program.”

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein thanked the group for all of its efforts.

“It’s always a pleasure to have these kids here because the 4-H program teaches leadership abilities and hard work and I wish all kids would get involved in something like 4-H,” he said.

Georgia Farrow, the Carbon County 4-H agent in the Penn State extension office, thanked the commissioners for all their support of the program over the years.

She explained that there are over 10,000 children ages 8 to 18 in the 4-H program in Pennsylvania and each county offers a variety of clubs based on the communities’ interests. For Carbon, there is everything from sewing to livestock and everything in between.

Farrow added that 4-H is a great asset for the county because it helps teach children not only about fun activities, but also important life skills.

She thanked the volunteers who have stepped up for years to run each of the separate clubs in the program, as well as parents who are involved.

Nothstein stressed the importance of supporting the program, especially at fair time when the 4-H auction is held.

The 4-H program, which began over a century ago, is designed to help young people develop their potential to become the best adults they can be through hands-on experiences that cultivate self-confidence, leadership skills and working together. The program is a component of Penn State University.

For more information on the Carbon County 4-H programs, call the Penn State Extension office at 570-325-2788 or email Farrow at gaf4@psu.edu.