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Adult volunteers play an important role in the 4-H program. Volunteers coordinate local community clubs and help to plan and conduct local, regional, state and national 4-H events. Find 4-H in your area: contact your local Cooperative Extension office to learn about how to apply and receive training to be a 4-H volunteer.
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Be a 4-H Volunteer. YOU can make a difference.
4-H is an experiential learning youth education program for boys and girls ages 8-19. Its practical life skills education in science and technology, healthy lifestyles and citizenship can reach any kid ... anywhere ... any time through 4-H clubs, camps, after-school programs and events. 4-H volunteers and professionals have a great deal of latitude in determining when, where and how 4-H “learn-by-doing” activities take place.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. With the guidance of 4-H volunteers, youth:
- Learn by doing
- Develop leadership and life skills
- Make new friends
- Give back to the community
- Build connections with others
- Prepare, do and share
More and more youth need the values, skills and guidance 4-H offers. As a 4-H volunteer, you are supported by 4-H professionals through your local Cooperative Extension Service, a branch of your state’s land-grant university.
People volunteer for 4-H for many reasons. One obvious benefit is to help guide and counsel our country’s future citizens and leaders. You’ll also grow as a person, develop new leadership skills, meet new friends and have great adventures!
4-H is the largest out of school youth organization in the United States with over 7 million youth members. There is Cooperative Extension staff responsible for 4-H programs in every county and city - so there's probably a 4-H program near you. Whether you live in a city, suburb or rural area, there's something for you in 4-H.
In most states, you can join 4-H if you are between the ages of 8-18. Some areas have special age-appropriate programs designed especially for younger kids. Check with your Cooperative Extension office to find out what projects and activities are available for youth your age.
Your Cooperative Extension office can help you to find a local club or program that's right for you. Or, it's easy to start a new club with some of your friends or other interested young people and a few adults willing to help.
National 4-H Headquarters
More about becoming a 4-H Volunteer at the
National 4-H Headquarters community.
State 4-H Programs
Find your local or county 4-H offices and sites by viewing the map and clicking on your state.
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Tira Wiley: Successful New Urban 4-H Volunteer
Last year, Tira Wiley took the initiative to start a New York Life Youth in Governance 4-H club for her community at McDonough, a public housing site in St. Paul, Minn. At first, Wiley didn’t feel she had the necessary experience or tools to work with youth. However, thanks to the support of 4-H training and partners, she has gained many skills and flourished as a leader for the youth in the community.
“I can take what I know, and what I feel inside and what means the most to me and put it into that club,” said Wiley.
Building the club from the ground up, Wiley recruited youth from grades 1-8 and found ways to encourage them to create an environment of acceptance, positive attitudes, learning, and love. She also rallied resources in the community and received generous donations to support a Haunted House community service project. In an area where many children are not allowed to go trick-or-treating, a large number of families went to the house for a safe and fun alternative activity.
Wiley also successfully recruited additional volunteers and has been encouraging professional members of the community to come in and speak with local youth about their professions during Career Day. Her growth as a volunteer has helped Wiley to build her own sense of mission in life and her self-confidence. In her personal life, she decided to return to college, as a grandmother, to finish the degree that she was not able to complete when she was younger.
Wiley is only one example of the countless outstanding volunteers that support the 4-H movement.
“Once you get out there and really start working with youth, there is no way you’re going to go back. Kids are just so much fun. They really have so much to offer.”
Local Woman Giving Back to 4-H
Springfield News-Sun – Oct 8, 2009
Glenda Gehl, a Monsanto employee, volunteers her time to 4-H. |
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National 4-H Council is the national, private sector non-profit partner of 4-H and the Cooperative Extension System. Council's mission is to advance the 4-H youth development movement to build a world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.
We work closely with 4-H National Headquarters at USDA and state and local 4-H programs by providing training and support, curriculum development, fostering innovative programming, and facilitating meetings and connections within the 4-H partnership.
This 4-H Volunteer Leaders Web site is one example of the work on behalf of the 4-H youth development movement promoted through National 4-H Council.
For more information about National 4-H Council or this Web site, contact Samantha Rich at srich@fourhcouncil.edu. |
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| 4-H Information Near and Far |
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Interested in finding more about 4-H programs in other states?
Click on the map below to find state 4-H web sites.
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| Monsanto Supports 4-H Volunteers |
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The U.S. is headed for a crisis.
The 76 million members of the Baby Boomer generation are getting ready to retire. Generation X, which follows the Boomers, consists of 48 million people. That leaves an awful lot of empty desks in offices around the country.
Fortunately, the Baby Boomers settled down during the 1980s and produced the 79 million members of Generation Y, also known as the Echo Boomers or Millennials. This generation could go a long way in helping alleviate the retirement tsunami their parents will create. Maybe.
Read the full article. |
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Delaware 4-H Volunteers Applaud Monsanto Support
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State 4-H Volunteer Specialist Ernie Lopez thanks John W. Hickey of Monsanto for its outstanding support. |
Nearly 140 Delaware 4-H Volunteers and Cooperative Extension Staff gathered on Saturday, January 23, 2010 for the Delaware 4-H Volunteer Forum designed to enrich volunteer education, encouragement, enthusiasm and networking. This was held at Lake Forest High School, Felton, DE.
John W. Hickey, representing lead sponsor Monsanto, brought company greetings and encouraged volunteers to keep reaching out to youth as the future of American agriculture.
A visit by Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden was the highlight for many volunteers from University of Delaware and Delaware State University 4-H program. Biden talked with 4-H leaders and youth, posed for pictures, and spoke before the volunteers and staff, offering his appreciation on behalf of Delaware for 4-H's dedication to all youth in the First State.
Volunteers attended workshops supporting 4-H's diverse offering of project curriculum such as wood science, digital photography, robotics, Internet safety and social network use, equine welfare, engineering and technology, Delaware wildlife, scrapbooking, community service, healthy foods and theater
"We couldn't have had such a wonderful day of training and recognition without the support of Monsanto,” said Ernie Lopez, State 4-H Volunteer Specialist. We were so pleased John Hickey was able to attend and represent the company. Their continued support of 4-H volunteer development in Delaware and across the country is a testament to the care and concern they feel for youth today."
Hickey’s attendance exemplifies the support and commitment on behalf of Monsanto toward agriculture and the development of young people. Monsanto has committed $500,000 per year for the next three years to 4-H volunteerism, including the sponsorship of one 4-H volunteer forum or equivalent volunteer development activity per state, in addition to the sponsorship of regional 4-H volunteer events.
Approximately 14,000 volunteers attend state forums, and there are 540,000 4-H volunteers in the United States.
TWO 4-H VOLUNTEERS ARE FINALISTS IN MONSANTO’S “AMERICA’S FARMERS’ MOM OF THE YEAR” CONTEST—VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE!!
Five women have been selected as regional winners of Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2010. The public can help determine the national winner by casting votes online at www.AmericasFarmers.com.
The nominees are:
- Northeast Region: Sue Roohr, Cookstown, N.J.
- Southeast Region: Erika Forsbach, Savannah, Tenn.
- Midwest Region: Cheryl Day, Cerro Gordo, Ill. (a 4-H VOLUNTEER!!!!!)
- Southwest Region: Carol Cowan, Watonga, Okla.
- West Region: Caroline Luiz, Yreka, Calif. (a 4-H VOLUNTEER!!!)
Visit www.AmericasFarmers.com to read more about each nominee and to vote for America’s Farmer Mom of the Year.
Voting closes May 3 and the winner will be announced May 4.
Grant Opportunities Open for Applications
1. "Do Something" Grants Available
Did your 4-H club or a member recently create a sustainable community action project or program, or have a great idea for helping your community? Would $500 further the growth and success of the project or turn a great service idea into reality? If you answered “YES!”, take a look at the Do Something Grant Program at http://www.dosomething.org/grants
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Citizenship Washington Focus Brings Government Alive for Teens |
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a civic education and leadership program organized by National 4-H Council and held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland every summer for high school youth. 4-H delegates from across the country broaden their appreciation and respect for themselves and others in the world through civic workshops, committees, field trips and social events.
Participants learn and practice skills intended to make them better citizens and successful individuals. Nearly 1700 youth attended CWF in 2008, exhibiting the following measurable outcomes:
- Strengthened communication, leadership and citizenship skills.
- Increased understanding of civic and social responsibilities as they relate to the development of better citizens and leaders; and
- Improved respect, networking and camaraderie with other youth from diverse backgrounds.
Since its inception in 1966, the CWF program has been a successful civic leadership opportunity for 4-H’ers to experience our nation’s capital and governmental processes first hand. State 4-H Programs usually coordinate a CWF delegation as an incentive for youth with leadership skills; however, volunteer leaders can even bring groups from their clubs.
For general information on CWF, click on the logo above or visit Citizenship Washington Focus community. For information on how to connect youth in your club or community with this opportunity through one’s state, contact the 4-H office for your state.
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For Volunteers
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Other Useful Links
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