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Farm News/Fort Dodge, Iowa
Friday, Oct. 13, 2023
1D
Ideas to Celebrate
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization-empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.
• Have a 4-H Reunion • Wear Your 4-H Gear • Send a 4-H “Thank You” • Shout Out a 4-H’r • Give Back • Storefront Displays • Become a 4-H Volunteer • Host a 4-H Rally • Set up Information Booths • Share Your 4-H Story
Mentoring today’s 4-H youth in welding Myers seeks to be positive influence in youths' lives By KAREN SCHWALLER Farm News writer
ESTHERVILLE — Gary Myers doesn’t do it for even so much as an “atta-boy.” As an adult mentor who helps 4-H members from all over Emmet County learn the skill of welding, he just wants to be a positive influence in the life of today’s youth, and for them to learn to think outside the box and learn a skill that could take them places Gary Myers in life if they choose. Myers, 64, a full-time senior director of engineering for Mediacom Communications, grew up on a farm near Graettinger. He became a 4-H leader about 18 years ago and saw a need to become more of a mentor to kids than he could be by simply being their 4-H leader. Myers knew of some 4-H parents who had started a welding workshop a few years ago, and asked if they needed help with it. He’s been mentoring 4-H kids in his home shop ever since. “I enjoy seeing kids and the confidence they build,” he said. Myers said his welding shop is a resource of sorts for kids who don’t have the tools of the trade at home, but who still have an interest. Some parents have the tools and the skills, but those who don’t have a place to come and learn how to weld … and maybe how to think. Myers said he originally had (in a large group setting) all those interested in welding at these workshops at the same time. The kids would choose from two or three projects and work on welding them. Then it occurred to him that the kids were bringing some of the same projects to the fair, and that there were safety issues with large groups of kids in a welding setting. It was then that he decided it would be more beneficial to mentor the kids one-on-one, with the parents’ permission and sometimes with them there to see what their kids are doing and learning. Parental input is pivotal, he said, in learning where kids are in terms of skill level.
Myers said he has two rules in his home shop — the first is keeping them safe, in regard to eye and hearing safety, and clothing safety for the machines with which they are working. “The second rule is that they have to have fun,” said Myers, adding that he asks each of the 4-H’ers one question nearly every time he sees them in his shop. “What have you done to make your parents proud today?” he said, adding that he not only wishes to mentor them in the skill of welding, but in the skills of everyday life. “It’s fun to get to know them in that personal way and see them start to come out of their shell.” Myers spoke of a quiet, shy teenage boy he mentored who wanted to make an “H” to put at the end of the family driveway to depict his last name. Myers saw it as an opportunity for the young man to learn how to explain to business people how to ask for things. “The lumber yard ended up giving us the (scrap) rebar we needed for free because they couldn’t sell it as it was,” said Myers. “(I hope he learned that) when you’re nice and honest and fair with people, good things happen. He thought that was really cool.” Myers said the confidence that young man gained each year was “amazing.” He said he doesn’t know how many 4-H’ers he has mentored, but in keeping track of the hours he donates annually in the weeks and months leading up to the Emmet County Fair, he remembers donating 90 hours one year, a few hours at a time in his home welding shop. His typical busy time is from February up until the fair in July. Project ideas come from both the kids and himself, and he also looks ideas up on the internet. He also sees ideas as he travels to other county and state fairs. He has helped a 4-H’er weld a scene that looks like a duck coming out of reeds. A sampling of other completed projects include a peacock, chicken, rabbit, an infinity table, a possum made from horseshoes, and even a lamp made from a five-gallon bucket out of which See MYERS, Page 6D
-Submitted photos
DESEAN HOFFMAN began as a quiet and shy welding student, but the longer Myers worked with him, the more Myers said he blossomed into his personality, and became a promising welder.
GABRIELLE RICKARD was one of Gary Myers' welding “students.” Myers mentored her as she created this bear paw in his welding shop.
REID HENDRIKSON worked on this portable raised garden project with Gary Myers.
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