From the Field: 4-H Co-op

MSU Extension Service

Video by Michaela Parker

School is out for the summer, meaning 4-H activities are in full swing! I had the privilege of leading the Media Corps Team at the 4-H Cooperative and Leadership Conference earlier this month. We discussed how our smartphones and social media have changed the way the media works, and then we worked together to “cover” the conference as the media would.

Their assignments included taking pictures, videoing moments, running social media accounts, appearing on the 4-H Podcast, and practicing their interviewing skills. (See, there’s something for EVERYONE in 4-H!) They worked hard on their assignments, and I wanted to share some of their coverage of the conference.

A group of sixteen students post for a picture on a stage. — 4-H’ers on the Media Corps team learned various photography, videography, social media and interviewing skills. Photo by Ellen Graves.

Co-op Reflection by Kylie Headley:

Hi, my name is Kylie Headley, and I serve as the Northeast Vice President. During the 4-H Cooperative and Leadership Conference, I participated in Media Corps and served as assistant manager in our cooperative organization.

After getting settled in at the dorms, we took a trip around the state to three of Mississippi's amazing cooperatives, 4-County Electric Power Association, Farmers Grain Terminal and Staplcotn. We had the opportunity to tour their facilities and learn how cooperatives work.

Two blonde haired girls and a middle age man all wearing blue shirts pose next to a table with cotton on it. — 4-H’ers visited Staplcotn in Greenwood to learn about their cooperation and the cotton industry. Photo by Madelynne Goodson.

Two young men wearing blue shirts talking to each other — Media Corps members practiced their interviewing skills by conducting interviews with fellow 4-H’ers. Photo by Madelynne Goodson.

The next day, we attended the general session where we had a guest speaker, Mr. Chuck Howell from the Pontotoc Electric Power Association. He spoke more in-depth about the history of cooperatives. 4-H Staff member Mr. Cobie Rutherford talked to us about how we can become better leaders by getting to know our strengths and weaknesses. In the afternoon, we attended social media and Ag Forensic workshops. Later, we participated in a service project where we learned how to make “plarn” mattresses for the homeless.

I enjoyed my first time at the co-op conference. I learned many leadership skills, met many new friends, and was taught how cooperatives operate.