BILLINGS - 4-H is famous for its agricultural foundation, but it isn't just about sows and plows anymore. In order to help build awareness, the local Kountry Kritters 4-H Club celebrated National 4-H Week.

With 6.5 million members, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the world. The program teaches members life skills through educational projects. "I'm taking shooting sports this year, rabbits, and photography," said Kountry Kritters 4-H member, Autumn McSweyn.

The 4-H program turns youngsters into leaders, with older members mentoring the younger members with their projects. Jasmine Harrell, a Kountry Kritters 4-H member, said, "I show them how to show their chickens for showmanship and how to get their chickens ready."

4-H also encourages members to engage in community service. For instance, every year, the Kountry Kritters 4-H Club holds a hayride food drive. "We're going to go around the Shepherd area and pick up cans and stuff so anyone, hopefully people are out and have food that maybe they can give us," said McSweyn.

Adults also enjoy 4-H, especially since they get to work with youth. "They're so inspirational and they have such neat ideas and they're just fun to be with," said Nancy Byxbe, who is the Kountry Kritters 4-H Club Organizational Leader.

Yellowstone County has 485 members and 229 leaders, but they are always looking for more people to join. "4-H is a really, really good program I think because I've like grown so much from it so I think everybody should do it," said McSweyn.

Many well-known people have joined 4-H. Even Johnny Carson, Faith Hill, and Governor Brian Schweitzer were members.

For more information on 4-H, click here.