To the editor:

I would like to thank Karrey Britt for her article regarding the Douglas County Fair and 4-H’er John Brown in the July 25 Journal-World.

As a Douglas County Extension board member, I have observed that, while 4-H membership has declined somewhat on a statewide basis, the 4-H program is going strong in Douglas County, with increased numbers of older members, steady membership in community clubs and booming membership in the 4-H After School program.

The Douglas County 4-H agent, Emily Morehouse, who has been on the job less than three months, the 4-H program coordinator Kjrsten Abel-Ruch and other extension staff have been reaching out to the community to establish partnerships with groups such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department and USD 497 in order to recruit young members.

The profile of John Brown, of the Palmyra 4-H Club, which included livestock projects, was outstanding, but in a sense does not reflect the typical 4-H member. Fully 83 percent of 4-H members live in urban, rather than rural parts of Douglas County, and the county fair reflects their many arts and crafts, foods and clothing projects.

My own children, active 4-H members for years, have no farm background, but have benefited from 4-H. I attribute their public speaking and leadership skills, as well as their love of community volunteerism, in large part to our remarkable county extension agents and the 4-H program that serves all Douglas County youth. 4-H truly provides skills for life!

Bruce Flanders,

Lawrence