Pennsylvania’s 4-H, which started in 1912, in Mercer County, helps youth develop hands-on skills and build self-confidence.

There are currently 77,000 youth across the state who are part of this program, 4,164 of whom reside in Lehigh County.

Lehigh County commissioners recognized 4-H with a special proclamation during theMarch 27 meeting.

The proclamation was accepted by Northwestern Lehigh High School students and Heidelberg Township residents Olivia Wisser and Kamryn Fink, who spoke to The Press before the board’s meeting.

For Wisser, it’s a family tradition to be part of 4-H.

“My family always grew up doing 4-H,” Wisser said. “My dad and all of his brothers did. So, I figured why not?”

Fink has a similar story on why she joined 4-H.

“We started raising pigs to sell commercially,” Fink said. “I really got into showing pigs and that’s kind of what led my journey into 4-H.”

4-H Coordinator for Lehigh County Kelly Weisner told the board how the program is not restricted to agriculture, as it continues to grow in urban centers.

“As we continue to expand and reach out to the urban audiences in a bigger way, we do a lot of programming in our urban centers. It’s just different,” Weisner said.

County Commissioners’ Chairman Geoff Brace shared his own experience as a youth in 4-H.

“I learned woodworking skills which I use almost every week on my home here in Allentown,” Brace said.

Commissioner April Riddick, who also was part of 4-H, commented.

“It’s very important and I’m glad that it’s still strong,” Riddick said. “And, I’m hoping that next year we can have a whole bunch of kids celebrating 4-H.”

In addressing everyone in the room, County Executive Phillips Armstrong spoke of a recent visit to Kutztown University, which recently received a grant for farming innovations.

“Regenerative farming is a whole new thing that we have to look at,” Armstrong said. “You are the young people who are going to bring all of this about. So, hats off to you!”