We are in the middle of National 4-H Week. It’s Oct. 6-12. Everybody knows what 4-H is, but during this week it would be instructive to learn a bit more about this remarkable organization.
If you think 4-H is for farm kids you’re right. If you think 4-H is just for farm kids, here comes a surprise.
Yes, according to its national organization, 4-H claims 2.6 million members in rural areas. But it also has 1.8 members whose residences are classified as urban and 1.6 million who live in suburban areas. So, where are you likely to encounter 4-Hers? Everywhere.
When you add that up it’s 6 million 4-Hers in all 50 states and American territories. That’s impressive. It is the largest such organization in the Units States. By far.
Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries.
What are they doing? If you’ve been reading the weekly 4-H news columns in The Reporter you already know.
But here’s a brief list:
In 4-H, kids complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on leadership roles.
Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4-H camps.
4-H is supported by a network of 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 4-H professionals providing caring and supportive mentoring to all 6 million of those 4-H’ers, helping them grow into true leaders today and in life.
4-H is delivered nationwide by Cooperative Extensions—community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing.
For more than 100 years, 4-H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.
Through life-changing 4-H programs, nearly six million kids have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equity and inclusion for all.
It works. 4-H alumni around the country are always the first to acknowledge the significant positive impact that 4-H had on them as young people.
In fact, research has shown that young people in 4-H are nearly four times as likely to contribute to their communities and are twice as likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs during and after school time.
Congratulations, 4-Hers. It’s your week.—M.B.
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