By Sydney Leyerle

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

Farmcrafters, one of the Wood County Fair’s oldest 4-H clubs, has been around for 70 years and has become an important part of many families.

Started in 1953 by the agriculture teacher at Elmwood Schools, Robert Rogers, Farmcrafters has seen a variety of kids and advisers. Throughout the years, many of the kids have returned as advisers and their kids have become members, making Farmcrafters a family function.

Teri Jo Wise, who has been an adviser for Farmcrafters for over 20 years and was a member in the club as a kid, said her family has been involved with the club for a long time. In 1967, her grandparents became advisers for the club, which started a family tradition.

Farmcrafters, one of the Wood County Fair’s oldest 4-H clubs, has been around for 70 years.

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Wise’s parents were also advisers for the club from 1987-95 and her aunt and uncle were advisers from 1982-2008. Her father-in-law and husband were also members in the club as kids and now her children are members.

Wise said she sees the opportunity to be an adviser as the chance to give back to the program.

“It’s about giving back in my mind. So, if nobody does it then it goes away,” she said. “So, it keeps me doing it knowing that I’m giving back to a program that gave to me.”

Many of the current members in Farmcrafters are from Elmwood, but they can come from anywhere in Wood County. Wise said many of the kids in the program choose Farmcrafters because of the club’s flexibility.

“A lot of kids join our club because we’re versatile,” she said. “We make it work for the kids that have busy schedules.”

Taking on 4-H projects can help kids learn responsibilities and new skills.

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Members in Farmcrafters can take on a variety of projects and while most choose livestock projects, Brooke Harrison, an adviser, said the club encourages kids to try other projects as well.

“There’s a project for everyone. From photography, we’ve had some first aid, cooking, grow a vegetable garden, sewing, those sorts of things,” she said. “We encourage all of that.”

Taking on 4-H projects can help kids learn responsibilities and new skills, which Harrison said is an important aspect Farmcrafters encourages in their members. She said the skills they learn in 4-H can teach kids confidence, how to make goals and hard work.

Many of Farmcrafters members take projects which are outside of their comfort zone. Wise said this allows them to learn something new and is encouraged by the club.

“Even if they’re taking the same project year after year after year, they’re still learning something new,” she said. “Every year you learn something new.”

Involvement in 4-H can help teach kids new lessons and skills and can also allow them to make new connections. Wise said life is about connections and 4-H allows kids to make connections with people from their club and from other clubs.

“In 4-H you make different connections every year to different people,” she said. “You’re still making those connections that last for a lifetime.”