By The Madison Eagle Staff
Published: February 29, 2008

The Madison County 4-H program is a volunteer-led, informal educational program for youth ages 5-19.

Youth may participate in 4-H through a variety of avenues—community and special interest clubs, in-school programs, camps, fairs and workshops. 

Training is conducted for those adults interested in volunteering their time to work with 4-H youth.

The 4-H clubs currently operating in Madison County include:

* Centaurs Horse Club—Linda Brown, (540) 661-0415, meets fourth Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., War Memorial Building. Project club focusing on educating members about horse care, riding skills and the horse industry.

* Dairy Club—Jerry Carpenter, (540) 672-0335, meets fourth Monday of each month, 7 p.m, Waverly Yowell Elementary School. Project club based on educating members about animal care and the dairy industry.

* Helping Hands Club—Gail Temple, (540) 672-1278, meets third Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m., New Fellowship Church. Community-based club that focuses on service projects throughout Madison County.

* Home Economics Club—Deb Birkett, (540) 547-4435, meets fourth Wednesday of each month, 6:45 p.m. Call for location. A project club based on educating members about various Home Economic topics including kitchen safety, cooking, craft and sewing skills and much more.

* Light Horse and Pony Club—Bessie Dodson (540) 672-6998, meets the third Monday of each month, 7 p.m., Wetsel Middle School Cafetorium. Project club focused on learning more about horses, horse care, riding skills and the horse industry.

* Livestock Club—Denise Webb, (540) 923-5038 or Kathy Finks (540) 948-3852, meets first Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m., Wetsel Middle School Cafetorium. Project club based on educating members about animal care and the livestock industry.

* Menagerie Club—Norma Sides, (540) 672-6343, meets second Wednesday of each month, 3 p.m. Madison Presbyterian Church. A project club based on educating members about a variety of animal species (goats, llamas, poultry, rabbits, etc.) and related topics.

* 4-H Adventure Club—Kris Jarvis, (540) 672-5408, meets first Thursday of the month, 6:30 p.m., War Memorial Building. Community club based on nature activities and the outdoors. Fishing, camping and plants and wild animals studied.

* Cloverbuds Club—Cloverbuds clubs are available for youth ages 5-8. The purpose of these clubs is to introduce youngsters to the 4-H program in a fun, non-competitive atmosphere. The Adventure, Livestock, Dairy and Menagerie Clubs all have active Cloverbud programs that meet at the same time as the respective 4-H Club.

Contact Madison County Extension Office, (540) 948-6881 for information on these 4-H programs.