From left, Larry Bargeloh, a 4-H Volunteer; Wood County Commissioner Jimmy Colombo; WVU Extension Agent Jodi Smith; Becky Marks, a volunteer for 4-H who works in the Extension office; and Wood County Commissioner Robert Tebay pose with the proclamation passed by the commission Monday declaring this week as National 4-H Week in Wood County. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG –The Wood County Commission declared this week as National 4-H Week.

The commission unanimously approved a proclamation on Monday with Commission President Blair Couch participating by phone.

WVU Extension Agent Jodi Smith, along with Becky Marks who volunteers and works in the Extension office and volunteer Larry Bargeloh appeared before the commission to talk about local 4-H programs.

“…4-H youth across the nation are leading efforts to solve problems in their communities and make a difference for their futures,” the proclamation said. “This admirable program, which seeks to provide a learning experience for the whole child, including head, heart, hands and health, helps young West Virginians to acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes to enable them to become self-directed, productive and contributing members of our society…”

In Wood County, more than 5,000 youth participate in 4-H and programs that provide hands-on learning in areas including health, science, agriculture and citizenship, according to the proclamation.

“We urge the people of this community to take advantage of the opportunity to become more aware of this special program that enhances our young people’s interests in their futures as part of Wood County 4-H Youth Development and to join us in recognizing the unique partnership between our county and our state university System,” the proclamation said.

Local 4-H organizations will hold an open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at South Parkersburg Baptist Church, Smith said.

“More kids need to become involved in 4-H,” Smith said.

Colombo said he has heard many local 4-H members positively talk about their experiences

“You know you have affected them positively,” he said. “It is a good thing.”

Marks said many 4-H participants are leadership positions within the local schools and student bodies.

“They are doing things to move themselves forward,” she said. “It is definitely a good program.”

She talked about how her own daughter, who was shy, helped become more confident through 4-H to engage in public speaking and more.

Agriculture is about a third of what 4-H covers in Wood County, Smith said adding there are programs in woodworking, photography and many disciplines. The focus is on helping youth learn leadership, citizenship and life skills by participating in projects and service.

Bargeloh said he has been involved with 4-H in some way for 50 years from the time of going places with older siblings who were involved to being in it himself. He did not do livestock projects when he was in 4-H. He was involved in woodworking and model building.

“It is good to see how some of these kids develop and move on in their lives,” he said, adding his daughter was involved in 4-H and is now a teacher in Pennsylvania. “It gives them a good foundation for leadership skills and development along the way.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com