Growing Confidence Without Breaking the Bank

In this episode of The Extension Connection Podcast, Jessica Jackson, Polk County 4-H Agent, explores the myth that 4-H has to be expensive. Through stories from Cooking Week, a fun grocery store budgeting challenge, and a surprisingly delicious Depression Chocolate Cake, you'll discover how 4-H teaches lifelong skills like budgeting, decision-making, confidence, and problem-solving—all without breaking the bank. Whether you're a longtime 4-H family or simply curious about getting involved, this episode will show you that some of the biggest life lessons come from the simplest experiences.

Transcript

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Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the Extension Connection Podcast. I'm your co-host, Jessica Jackson, the Polk County 4-H agent, and we're so glad you've decided to spend a few minutes with us today. Whether you're listening on your way to work, headed down the road to the farm, sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, or even just running errands around town, thank you for letting us be a part of your day. Here on the Extension Connection Podcast, our goal is simple. We ch- connect our communities with research-based information while sharing real-life stories and experiences happening right here in our local Extension office. This week has been one of my absolute favorite weeks of the summer because it's cooking week here in Polk Co- at Polk County 4-H. I look forward to this week every single year because I get to watch something incredible happen. Students walk into the kitchen saying things like, "I've never cooked before," or, "I'm nervous I'm gonna mess it up." Then just a few hours later, they're proudly holding up their finished meal saying, "I made this," or, "I can't wait to cook for this for my family." Or after one class, they believe they are a chef master in the kitchen. To me, that's what 4-H is all about. Sure, we're teaching cooking skills, knife safety, food safety, nutrition, but what we're really building is confidence. That confidence doesn't stay in the kitchen. It follows them into the school, into their future careers, and into everyday life. That got me thinking about something I hear quite often. People will ask, "Isn't 4-H expensive?" It's a fair question, and today I want to talk about the myth versus the reality. Let's imagine a what if scenario. What if kids were the ones making decision on the family farm? What if they were responsible for spending $100 at the grocery store for the family? What if they had to decide what to buy at the feed store? Or imagine this, what if there was a drought, water, it was limited, and they had to decide which crops to water first or how to care for livestock with limited resources? Those aren't just imaginary situation. Those are real-life decisions that farmers make every day. And honestly, that's the kinda skills we're trying to teach through 4-H. So this week, during our advanced cooking class, we have a challenge. Each team had to cr- choose two recipes and stay under a budget of thirty-five dollars. That doesn't just mean that they're just cooking. They were comparing prices, reading labels, figuring out which ingredients could be used in multiple recipes, deciding which name brands and s- and what store brands to use, and learning that every dollar matters. One recipe quickly became everyone's favorite. It was... It is the famous Depression chocolate cake, sometimes known as wacky cake. The students couldn't believe the recipe called for no eggs, no butter, and no milk. They were even more surprised when they found out during the Great Depression, families didn't always have access to those ingredients, so they had to learn to bake with what they had. Then came the best part. The entire cake, including the frosting, cost about four dollars and thirty-one cents to make with the recipe that we used. When we divided it into servings, it comes to about forty-eight cents a slice. The students just looked at each other and said, "There's no way this is going to taste good without the milk, eggs, or butter." But once they tried it, they absolutely loved it. And we even had some picky eaters Who were very impressed with it as well. It became one of my favorite recipes of the week. It is also amazing to watch them learn that good food doesn't have to be expensive. Sometimes the simplest recipes become the ones your family asks for again and again. So during our grocery store trip, I think it might have been one of my favorite parts of the class, and the reason why is because as we're walking down the aisles comparing prices, checking our grocery list, several people stopped us. They smiled and asked, "What are y'all doing? What is this big group doing?" When we explained that these students were learning how to grocery shop on a budget, compare prices, plan meals, people are genuinely excited. That's the one thing I love, um, most about Polk County. People notice when young people are out learning. Neighbors encourage them. They ask questions. They cheer them on. Sometimes it's just a simple, "Y'all are doing a great job," but those little moments matter. As a Polk County 4-H agent, those moments remind me why I love what I do. One of my biggest goals is to make sure every child knows there's a place for them in 4-H. Sometimes families hear the words 4-H and immediately think about the expensive livestock projects or costly competition. The truth is, while those opportunities certainly exist, there are s- there is a small piece of what 4-H... that's only a small piece of what 4-H offers. Some of the very best projects cost little to nothing. You can start a garden with a few seeds and a bucket. Photography can begin with a smartphone already in your pocket. You can practice public speaking in your own living room. Wildlife projects might simply be taking a walk through your backyard and learning about the birds and plants around you. Cooking often starts with the ingredients already in your pantry. Craft projects can be made from recycled materials that would otherwise end up in the trash. Some of the most creative project I've ever seen didn't come from expensive supplies. They came from creative minds, and that's what we're trying to grow. Not perfect cakes, not perfect gardens, not perfect speeches. We're growing confident young people who know how to solve problems, work together, think critically, and serve others. I also want families to know that if cost is ever a concern, don't let that stop you from reaching out. There are camp scholarships available when funding allows. There are also other types of scholarships for other opportunities as well, depending. It all goes by your local office. Many local businesses and organizations believe in investing in our youth through sponsorship. Your local extension office is always happy to help families find opportunities that fit their budget. Please don't ever assume that 4-H is out of your reach. Sometimes all it takes is asking the question. Before we wrap up today, I'd like to leave you with a little challenge. This week, see if your family can cook one meal for under $20. Maybe try making a depression chocolate cake, plant a tomato in a bucket, or give your child $10 or $20 at the grocery store and let them plan dinner. You might be surprised how much learning can happen from something so simple because at the end of the day, 4-H has never been about spending the most money. It's about learning, growing, and building confidence, one experience at a time. Thank you so much for joining us for another episode of the Extension Connection podcast. If you've enjoyed today's conversation, we'd love for you to share this episode with a friend, neighbor, grandparent, or teacher, or anyone who wants to learn a little more about what 4-H is really about. And if you're here in Polk County and would like to learn more about joining 4-H or volunteering, we would love to have you become part of our 4-H family. Just give our Polk County Extension office a call, a call at 828-894-8218, and I would be happy to help. Until next time, remember that some of the biggest life lessons don't come with the biggest price tag. Sometimes they begin with a recipe, a seed, a grocery list, or simply the willingness to try something new. Thank you for listening, and we'll catch you next time on the Extension Connection podcast.