Community service, leadership, sportsmanship, mentoring skills, animal husbandry, and new friendships are just a few of the benefits 4-H members gain through their involvement with this international, national and countywide program.

Shelby Collins, 17, of Chelsea, a member of All Around 4-H Club, has been involved with 4-H for eight years.

“I joined 4-H because I really wanted a rabbit and through 4-H I knew I could learn more about them,” Collins said. “I wanted to be involved and you get involved in all different ways,” she said, listing community service projects, sewing, cooking, and making still life art projects as just a few examples of what she’s done during her years in 4-H.

Also through the program, the Chelsea High School student met Sheri Robbins, 17, of Chelsea, and the two became best friends.

Robbins says in addition to recycling projects, she’s raised chickens, cavies, pigs and rabbits, while learning to paint, draw and take photographs. She’s learned cooking, sewing, candle and jewelry making, and woodworking skills.

Both teenagers were at the recent Washtenaw County 2010 4-H Recognition Program at the Washtenaw Farm Council grounds, where about 250 people got together for the annual awards ceremony that celebrates participant's achievements — from projects in computer technology to veterinary science, food and nutrition to public speaking.

There are about 1,090 active 4-H members in the county's nearly 65 clubs. Those include about 880 youth members (age 9 to 18), and Cloverbud members (age 5 to 8), according to county 4-H statistics.

Melissa Cousino, 17, of Manchester, is a member of two 4-H clubs, Country Expressions and Basic Equestrians. A 4-H member for 10 years, she’s the first member of her family to get involved in the program.

“I learned how to be a good leader and it’s helped with my school work. I’ve learned to turn things in on time, I’ve learned about deadlines and responsibilities,” Cousino said.

And, she made fast friends with Leah Carey, 16, of Onondaga in Ingham County.

“We met at 4-H Congress in Atlanta,” Carey said. “We’ve met each other, and people from across the country and the world. 4-H is a way to broaden and expand your knowledge.”

Mason Horning, 12, of Manchester, said he shows animals, enjoys woodworking and has raised pigs, a dairy cow and a steer.

“It’s a fun experience,” he said of his approximately four-year involvement with the youth program.

Samantha Weldon of Ann Arbor spent last year as a mentor for Athena Lewandowski and helped the youngster with her sheep project.

“I learned more about sheep and how to work with a kid,” Weldon said of her experience.

Madison Welshans, 8, and Bailey Welshans, 10, of Dexter, members of Saline 4-H Farmers 4-H club said they’d learned how to show rabbits and made new friends.

“You get to meet new people and you have fun showing livestock,” Madison said.

Richard Poet, 10, of Manchester, is a member of Hickory Hill 4-H Club in Saline. He was one of about 100 club members who received a spirit award for good sportsmanship, a positive attitude and involvement in activities.

“I’ve been in 4-H since I was 5 years old,” Richard said. “I’ve shown rabbits, pigs and goats and done still projects with Legos,” he said.

For many club members and leaders, 4-H is a multi-generational activity. Richard’s older brother, Bill Poet, was one of eight 4-H ambassadors in 2010.

And then there’s Francis Baldus of Webster Township, who received a pin for being the longest-serving 4-H leader in the county, with 55 years of service. Her sister-in-law Barbara Baldus, also of Webster Township, received a pin for 35 years of involvement.

“You learn how to work with people and get involved with things you wouldn’t normally,” said Emma Rose, 12, of Saline, and a member of Paint Creek 4-H Club of Ypsilanti.

Lucy Young, 6, of Dexter, is a Cloverbud. She's just getting started in the program and she says she’s learning how to show steers and horses.

4-H is not just about learning how to take care of animals, members say. The program offers instruction in a variety of skills, which members take into their adult lives.

Shelby Collins said when she started in 4-H, she thought she wanted to be a veterinarian but after learning she feels uncomfortable with animals in pain, she’s decided to become a physician instead.

Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com.