The Murray State University Family & Consumer Science department received a grant earlier this year to facilitate FCS outreach and student interaction within the local community. Calloway County 4-H was contacted to partner with the FCS class to hold a needle felting workshop for 3rd-12th graders who remained in the county during Fall break. Each of the nine Murray State FCS student took part in teaching the workshop to 6 youth participants. Then the college students spread out among the youth to assist with guiding them through the needle felting process, taking special care to observe safety practices so there were no injuries during the workshop. 

One very enthusiastic participant took inspiration from the 4-H Needle Felting class and decided to make needle felted hats to sell at the Downtown Murray Farmer's Market to compliment items sold by other vendors. These hats were created to be added to the small crochet animals that many children purchase at the market. Other youth were drawn to her creative creations and she sold out! This youth gained confidence and a sense of accomplishment from her experience. She used the skill she learned at the 4-H workshop and it inspired her to connect with her local community in a new and meaningful way. Through her needle felting journey, she learned the value of creativity, hard work, and local support.