This month’s coordinator spotlight:
Lis Nilsson, Kitsap 4-H Youth Development
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization – empowering nearly six million young people around the world, 4-H type clubs now exist in at least 82 countries.
Let’s learn a little more about Lis and the Kitsap 4-H program:
How did you first get involved with 4-H?
I am a 4-H alumni from Northern California. I grew up on a sheep ranch and showed sheep through 4-H growing up. As an adult I went into the education field and after 11 years teaching overseas I returned to the United States and started working for WSU as the 4-H Program Coordinator here in Kitsap County. I enjoy merging my passions together including experiential education, children and animals.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is watching children come into their own. There is nothing quite like seeing a child/youth find their passion and excitement and thrive.
What is one important or valuable feature of 4-H that is not commonly known?
4-H is MORE than livestock! Most people think of 4-H as cows, sows and horses but 4-H is so much more than that. 4-H offers programs in not only livestock but also small animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, cavies and still life including cooking, sewing, photography, and expressive arts.
Any other information you’d like people to know?
When people ask me for more information about 4-H I always ask them what they or their child(ren) are interested in. 4-H can find a curriculum for any interest – from animals, to legos, to taxidermy, to clay and anything and everything in between.
– Posted January 31, 2023