AMES, Iowa — National 4-H Week is Oct. 6-12 and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is celebrating 4-H youth who make an impact on Iowa communities, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.
Approximately one in five Iowa school-age youth participate in 4-H programs, said Keli Tallman, 4-H youth development specialist. In other words, more than 105,000 young Iowans are involved in 4-H clubs, special interest groups, school enrichment, camping and other 4-H programs each year.
Iowa 4-H programs are headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames and available through ISU Extension and Outreach offices in all Iowa counties. During National 4-H Week, local 4-H programs are hosting open houses and special events, and inviting youth to learn about and enroll in 4-H.
“4-H prepares Iowa’s youth to be successful, contributing members of society,” Tallman said. “We empower youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences.” Iowa 4-H’ers Tell Their Story
“4-H’ers are kids who learn by doing. We’re ‘hands-on’ with projects that range from citizenship to communication, foods and nutrition, leadership — even science and technology. We’re developing life skills today — to become Iowa’s leaders tomorrow,” said Black Hawk County 4-H’er Mitch Juhl. “We have fun, work hard and learn from our adult mentors. 4-H also provides opportunities for us to ‘give back.’ Experiences like these are the foundation of 4-H’s success.”
“4-H is an organization that has taught me how important it is to be involved in my community and I am committed to staying involved as I grow older,” said Sac County 4-H’er Renae Drey.
“4-H has given me the chance to hold countless leadership positions, not just in my county, but also statewide through 4-H council and nationally,” said Webster County 4-H’er Rebecca Nellis.
“I’ve developed leadership and teamwork skills that will be immensely beneficial when I go to college and begin looking for a job,” said Van Buren County 4-H’er Grace Westercamp.
More than 7,500 adult volunteers contribute their time, energy and expertise to engage youth in hands-on learning experiences in healthy living; science, technology, engineering and math; citizenship and leadership; and communication and the arts.
ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development partners with nearly 3,000 organizations, associations, businesses and school districts to strengthen local 4-H programs, including long-term learning experiences with youth through 4-H clubs and shorter-term learning through camps, special events and in-school and out-of-school programs. Nearly 1,000 4-H afterschool programs serve approximately 17,000 children and youth in grades K-12.
“We fully support long-term learning experiences for youth through 4-H clubs. However, we offer a range of short-term to long-term experiences for youth, including clubs as well as after¬school programs, camps, events, and in-school programs. We offer our programs in multiple ways in order to reach more youth,” Tallman explained.
“4-H will continue to focus on positive youth development combined with a strong educational foundation for Iowa’s youth,” she said.
Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are
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- Nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities,
- Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors and
- Two times more likely to engage in STEM programs during out-of-school time.
The Author:
Keli Tallman
4-H Youth Development
515-294-0688
ktallman@iastate.edu
ISU Extension and Outreach - Dallas County
28059 Fairground Road
Adel, IA 50003
515-993-4281
www.extension.iastate.edu/dallas