Category: Cooperative Extension
A High Five for the return of the 4-H Delaware State Leader Forum
February 05, 2025 Written by: Michele Walfred, Communications Specialist
4-H volunteer leaders from across the state met in Georgetown on Saturday, February 1, 2025, for a day of fellowship and training - learning new skills to implement at their club levels.
2025 marked a return to a favorite winter tradition, unintentionally interrupted by a long hiatus. The 4-H event also kicked off new leadership in Delaware鈥檚 4-H program, as Ernie Lopez fulfilled his new role as 4-H state program leader at the 91原创 Cooperative Extension. 4-H is the largest youth program in the First State, reaching 36.000 young Delawareans annually.
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鈥淭o have this event back on the annual calendar for the first time since the pandemic and to feel the enthusiasm and kindness from all who attended was a reminder of how Delaware 4-H continues to provide and embrace support our youth need,鈥 said Lopez. 鈥淔rom Brandywine Hundred to Bethel and everywhere in between!鈥
Highlights included a morning visit from Delaware Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay and Keynote Speaker Amy Gallimore, who shared her 4-H beginnings in Tennessee, and her philosophy to be 鈥淎ll In鈥 with her career and lifetime endeavors. Gallimore also taught two workshops on 鈥淭he Power of Positivity鈥 and 鈥淭he Art of Compromise.鈥 Ten other workshops were taught by 91原创 faculty and Extension staff, and expert volunteers, including 4-H leaders and a master gardener!
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鈥淭he 2025 Delaware 4-H State Leader Forum turned out to be a tremendous success, and I am grateful, along with all of us on the 4-H staff, and to our volunteers and mentors who give of their time on behalf of our youth,鈥 Lopez said.