BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com
Oakwood, Ill. – Oakwood’s Josey Clem is a 14-year old who carries herself much like an adult.
While there are many factors that go into her ability to be articulate, it cannot be overlooked that she has been presenting for much of her childhood.
Clem followed her older brother into 4-H.
Because she was the single Cloverbud, a 4-H member under the age of eight, she ended up participating with the older children before she was supposed to based on her age.
Growing up in 4-H, Clem has explored a variety of subjects.
Her family’s small farm, which raises horses and rodeo livestock, has allowed her to also train dogs, raise rabbits, chickens and goats; all of which she has shown on the 4-H stage.
She’s also entered many hands-on projects in the Vermilion County Fair through the years.
The list of entries is slim for the incoming Oakwood High School sophomore this year. Clem said she cut back to participate in other activities, but she did enter a cooking project, a scrapbook and a heritage arts projects where she worked with leather.
Watching 4-H members who were involved when she first started, continue to foster a safe learning environment for the younger generation as she’s grown and that has inspired Clem.
Clem believes because 4-H, particularly the fair environment, helps to foster friendship.
“I’ve met so many friends. The little kids look up to the older kids. They love us. Young people make friends, older kids make friends, the adults even make friends with each other.
“We help each other during fair week. Last year, there were two little girls who are in my club and show horses along with me. The oldest one is also doing cooking with me. We both showed our horses, hopped on the golf cart, flew to cooking, showed that real quick, then jumped on the golf cart again to finish showing horses.”
Whether a participant wins Grand Champion, a ribbon, a Pitchfork Award or is on a team for Ag Olympics, Clem said she likes that 4-H finds a way to include everyone.
Clem has her eyes set on the future of 4-H.
Currently, her mom, Holly, is the leader of their club. But, Josey knows she doesn’t want to do that forever.
Instead, the hope is that as she ages out of being able to spend her summer months presenting to judges, she will step into the leadership role and continue to nurture an environment where other children are able to learn the life skills she has during her time in 4-H.
“It’s a family,” she said.
