by:
Cathy Allen Special to the AFRO(Courtesy Photo)Jun 1, 2016 Cathy Allen
Meet
Damien, a middle school student from Baltimore City. Damien is sitting
sideways in a chair nestled in a sunny corner of a schools’ auditorium. He’s
wearing bright yellow earbuds, bopping his head to the rhymes of the music
playing on his iPhone. But underneath all that sway, Damien is shaking in
his boots with nervousness and excited energy.
You
see, Damien has entered his photo into a photography competition sponsored by
The University of Maryland Extension-Baltimore City 4-H Youth Development
Program. If Damien’s photography submission is chosen as the first,
second or third place winner he goes on to the Maryland State Fair Competition.
Now I
know you’re wondering, what does 4-H, an agriculture program have to do with
creative arts like photography?
In
recent years, 4-H Urban Youth Programming has revamped its programming to
reflect the culture of the urban population through competitive and
non-competitive creative arts and sciences that includes: photography, spoken
words, poetry, fashion and jewelry design, and theater arts. In addition,
engineering/technology, horticulture and agriculture sciences are also taught.
Manami
Brown, Baltimore City extension educator, heads up Baltimore’s 4-H urban youth
program. She was appointed the 4-H Baltimore City Extension Director with the
University of Maryland Extension. Manami and her team of environmental,
nutrition, and health educators are leading the charge in 4-H Urban Youth
Development.
On
May 14, the Baltimore City Extension 4-H, the Department of Agriculture,
Maryland Baltimore City Master Gardeners, youths, parents, and community
members held the first of its kind, Baltimore City 4-H Youth Expo at
Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City. The expo showcased
city-wide youth efforts in photography, fashion/jewelry art, poetry and baked
goods.
“Youth
citywide who participate in the University of Maryland Extension, Baltimore
City 4-H Youth Development Program receive leadership, nutrition, workforce
readiness, entrepreneurship, and science development skills. As a result, they
become positive role models in their communities, which leads to youth-led initiatives
that engages communities in civic, business, community mapping, and other
science and related projects,” said Brown.
Currently, school education curriculums have been lean when offering programming that promotes positive expression, the spirit of competition, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. As a result, individual schools are reaching out and incorporating programming such as 4-H Urban Youth Development into their curriculums. Just ask Angela Henry, principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore, who adopted the 4-H programming for the entire school. Now all 300 plus students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle School are engaging in some form of 4-H programming during school and after-school.
Currently, school education curriculums have been lean when offering programming that promotes positive expression, the spirit of competition, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. As a result, individual schools are reaching out and incorporating programming such as 4-H Urban Youth Development into their curriculums. Just ask Angela Henry, principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore, who adopted the 4-H programming for the entire school. Now all 300 plus students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary/Middle School are engaging in some form of 4-H programming during school and after-school.
In
the 1960’s 4-H was introduced to the urban population under the U. S.
Department of Urban Agriculture. To educate urban youth between the ages
of 5-18 in: entrepreneurship, nutrition education – which included vegetables
and fruit canning, agriculture, workforce readiness, leadership and
citizenship. The creative arts competition component of 4-H before the 1960’s
were limited to sewing, arts and craft for girl 4-H groups only.
To
incorporate 4-H Youth Development Programs in your school, community, or groups
contact: The University of Maryland Extension office at 410.856.1850, ext. 114
or email wjagat@umd.edu
As
for Damien, I’m proud to say his photo came in first place in the photography
competition. Damien is headed off to the State Fair in August with loads
of resources, encouragement and support from his peers, 4-H and school
educators, family and friends. Go Damien.
Cathy
Allen is an award-winning Urban Environmentalist, the co-creator of G.R.A.S.S.
(Growing Resources After Sowing Seed) as well as Chair of the “Grow-It Eat It”
campaign. G.R.A.S.S. is an environmental entrepreneurial nonprofit program
based on the fundamentals of gardening, agriculture and ecology. In conjunction
with Baltimore City Public Schools, Allen’s campaign has planted over a
half-million trees on the lawns of Baltimore City public schools.