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While I may not have grown up in a “military” family, I have always been surrounded by family members who have dedicated a part of their life to serve our country in the U.S. Military. Growing up, I always heard the stories of both of my Granddads’ and my own Dad’s military adventures. Their stories of serving during wartime have always made me proud. However, it wasn’t until I visited a veterans’ hospital with my Dad, who was there for a medical appointment, that I fully began to realize the sacrifices our military men and women make to serve our country. It was there in the halls of the Dublin VA Medical Center that I began to ask myself, “What can I do to give back to them?”

What stood out the most to me in those hallways, were the lonely faces and the lack of smiles. My Mom will tell you that I am one of the most smiley people she knows. So it hurt my heart to see so many faces who had lost a sense of hope and didn’t have much to smile about. One of my favorite quotes by former 4‑H’er Dolly Parton states: “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours!”

It was at that VA hospital I realized that we all love to get cards, and because of my love for art, I felt like this was the perfect way to bring smiles to those hurting men and women. Hearing the stories of my family members who have served our country helped me to understand that military service in and of itself is a sacrifice. However, seeing those men and women in wheelchairs, some with very serious injuries, and many with no family or friends to visit, made me realize that those of us that have benefited from the service of our Veterans can be the difference in bringing a little bit of joy back into their lives.

For the last five years, I have organized teams of volunteers to create handmade cards, pack and deliver care packages to the long-term patients of the VA Hospital in Dublin. Additionally, once a year, 4‑H’ers come to our delivery to provide Music therapy through singing and playing instruments. And because of this, joy is what Operation: Veteran Smiles has brought to more than 4,000 Veterans of the Carl Vinson VA Hospital in Dublin, Georgia since 2012.

Support Operation: Veteran Smiles

Donate a care package to a veteran in need by purchasing a Smile Kit. Each kit will be hand-delivered by a volunteer, providing much-needed positive social interaction and support to isolated veterans. Kits include essential toiletries, a get-well card and a deck of playing cards.

It’s only April, and we are already getting excited for the 2017 4‑H National Youth Science Day Challenge, Incredible Wearables, which will take place October 4, 2017!

This year’s challenge was developed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and incorporates the fast-evolving field of wearable technology, teaching kids to not only use technology but create it. During the innovative, hands-on project, these future engineers must work together to design, build and refine a wearable health-tracking device that is easy-to-use and aesthetically appealing.

Ready to start preparing for your local 4‑H NYSD event? Kits are now available for pre-order on the 4‑H Mall at the discounted price of $23.95! Each kit can be used by up to 10 kids at once and are completely re-usable.

Want to learn more about the 2017 4‑H NYSD Challenge? Check out the video to see what’s in store!

Looking for the latest in 4 H National Youth Science Day news? Visit our website to sign up for our monthly 4‑H NYSD newsletter. You’ll be the first to know about exclusive offers, receive exciting STEM content, and much more!

Thank you to 4‑H NYSD National Partners, HughesNet, Lockheed Martin and U.S. Cellular, Signature Partner DuPont Pioneer, and Official Partner CA Technologies.

Special thanks to SparkFun Electronics for supporting the development of the Incredible Wearables challenge.

Another year, another astounding evening of impact and empowerment!

If we’ve learned anything from the 4-H Legacy Awards, it’s that our young people have a story to tell, a community to inspire, and a drive for success and service. The 2017 event was no different, as over 300 4-H alumni, youth, educators, and supporters came together to celebrate 4-H and all that the organization does for millions of kids nationwide.

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Held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., the eighth annual 4-H Legacy Awards honored four 4-H Youth in Action Award winners, three Distinguished 4-H Alumni Medallion recipients, and one strong brand ambassador. Additionally, we were honored to be joined by a group of elite 4-H grown alumni who have a passion for 4-H and prominent platforms to share that passion.

Celebrating True Leaders

At the core of every 4-H Legacy Awards celebration, it is important to recognize and pay tribute to those who we serve: 4-H’ers.

Kicking off the event was Louisiana 4‑H’er Samyra Miller, using her powerhouse vocals to belt out her rendition of the National Anthem.

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Through service, mentoring and drive, the 4-H Youth in Action winners embody what it means to be True Leaders. The 2017 recipients are: Samuel Sugarman (Ag – sponsored by Bayer Crop Science); Amelia Day (Citizenship – sponsored by U.S. Cellular); Bryanne Sanchez (Healthy Living, sponsored by Molina Healthcare); and Ava Lonneman (STEM, sponsored by HughesNet). These young people have used the interests they have in their respective pillar areas to be powerful forces in their communities.

The event concluded with the announcement of the 2017 National 4-H Youth in Action Award winner, awarded to Citizenship recipient Amelia Day, whose work with “Operation: Veteran Smiles” shined.

Honoring 4-H Grown Alumni

This year, we were honored to have two proud alumni as hosts, both hailing from New York 4-H and having a passion for culinary arts. Chefs Anne Burrell and Lazarus Lynch led the evening, delighting attendees with their 4-H stories and their work today, sprinkling in a little humor for good measure. Neither alumni are strangers to the Legacy experience. Anne was awarded the Distinguished 4-H Alumni Medallion in 2015, which was presented to her by none other than Lazarus himself.

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During the pre-Legacy festivities, National 4-H Council was honored to host the inaugural 4-H Luminaries, a group of influential CLOVER alumni who will serve as CLOVER ambassadors, supporters, and fundraisers for the 4-H mission. From doctors to politicians, entertainers to C-suite executives, over 50 4-H alumni with varied backgrounds have Raised their Hands and signed on to use their platforms to share the power of 4-H.

The Distinguished 4-H Alumni Medallion was awarded to three phenomenal alumni who credit the skills learned in 4-H for their success today. The recipients are: Aubrey Plaza, Emmy-nominated actress and producer, and Delaware 4-H alumna; Dr. Faustino Bernadett, co-founder of the Molina Foundational and California 4-H alumnus; and Kent Bazemore, shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks and North Carolina 4-H alumnus.

While Kent was not able to attend the event due to an unexpected injury, Aubrey and Dr. Bernadett were in attendance, eager to share stories of their time in 4‑H and how the program made an impact on their lives then and now. This was a theme that was prevalent throughout the evening.

Thanking Strong Supporters

For the second year, 4-H acknowledged one agency that plays an instrumental role in amplifying the 4-H brand. Osborn Barr was the recipient of the 4-H Brand Champion Award, their rural spirit driving the marketing agency’s work in telling the 4-H story.

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The night would not have been possible without the support of the sponsors and partners, all of which have continued to support the 4‑H mission to grow more True Leaders in more ways than one.

4‑H has imprinted on so many youth and adults. It is safe to say that all who were able to witness the remarkable examples of leadership and 4‑H pride during the event, and those who have experienced first-hand the long-lasting impact of 4‑H, are all 4‑H Grown.

Check out more photos from the eighth annual 4‑H Legacy Awards!

Agriculture is a part of all of us, and National Ag Day is a perfect time to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture across the United States.

Growing up on a farm, every day was Ag Day. Waking to the shrill crow of the rooster, I would don my denim overalls and sleepily stumble, milk pail in hand, into a dew covered California morning. Our garden was our playground, and when we were hungry, my sister and I would nibble on peas and cherry tomatoes or pull out a carrot, rub it on our pants and pop it right into our mouths, dirt and all. I’d toss the green, leafy tops over the fence to a grateful goat. I thought all kids lived like this.

To me, my garden was full of food and the potential to grow anything that I put in the ground. To the children who visited our farm, the garden was nothing more than leaves in boxes of dirt. I remember specifically watching the expressions of shock and awe on their faces as I pulled a carrot from the earth. It was as though I had unsheathed Excalibur from a rock, the way they stared at me. Most children think their food comes from stores, wrapped in plastic.

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When children are connected to their food, they make healthier eating choices. Connecting children to where their food originates can build their conceptual understanding of food sources, while also providing an opportunity to form healthy eating habits and learn about the environmental implications of growing organically, sustainably, and locally. We need to talk to children about food, show them fresh produce, have it in our homes, and cook and eat it ourselves.

In observation of National Ag Day, take a moment to connect a child to their food. Here are some ideas:

  • Take them to a local farmer’s market and then cook your purchases together!
  • Plant a kitchen garden together – tomatoes grow great in containers!
  • Visit a local farm to let them see where eggs, milk, chicken and other foods come from!
  • Join a Community Supported Agriculture Group (CSA) – this helps the farmers, and every box is a seasonal adventure for your child!

Agriculture is a vital part of our lives. This National Agriculture Day, March 21, 2017, take a moment to connect a child to their food and to the earth.

On March 21, National 4-H Council will hold its 8th annual Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C., honoring and celebrating True Leaders and 4-H Grown Alumni, and bringing together dignitaries, community leaders, entertainers and more to celebrate 4-H and its impact.Here are the honorees and special guests that will be in attendance:

The Hosts

This year, we are honored to have two proud supporters and advocates of 4-H to host this evening of youth empowerment. Anne Burrell and Lazarus Lynch are proud 4-H alumni from New York who are culinary experts in their own right.

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Chef Anne Burrell is no stranger to the 4-H Legacy Awards, as she was the recipient of the Distinguished 4-H Alumni Medallion, coincidentally presented to her by Lazarus in 2015. Lazarus currently serves as National 4-H Council Youth Trustee.

4-H Youth in Action Awards

The 4-H Youth in Action Awards recognizes four youth who exemplify what it means to be a True Leader, each impacting their communities through our four pillar areas: agriculture, citizenship, healthy living and STEM.

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Samuel Sugarman of California 4-H is our Ag winner (sponsored by Bayer Crop Science). A 4-H’er since the age of 9, Samuel developed life skills like public speaking and goal setting, while learning from adult mentors who modeled servant leadership. Through these skills, Samuel created the free Farm Tour Program to connect youth in his community with animals and nature.

Amelia Day is a 4-H’er from Georgia and the Citizenship winner (sponsored by U.S. Cellular). At age 13, Amelia felt the need to encourage and support our nation’s veterans. With the help of the leadership skills learned in 4-H, she creating Operation: Veteran Smiles.

Bryanne Sanchez, California 4-H’er, is our Healthy Living winner (sponsored by Molina Healthcare). As her 4-H club’s first Healthy Living Officer, Bryanne became a strong advocate for healthy living in her community. Using this platform, Bryanne sought to bring initiatives promoting a healthy lifestyle to her Club and community.

Ohio 4-H’er Ava Lonneman is the recipient of the STEM award (sponsored by HughesNet). As founder of a STEM mentoring program and her school’s 4-H Maker’s Club, Ava has reached more than 1,600 youth using 4-H curricula such as Junk Drawer Robotics and 4-H National Youth Science Day activities.

4-H Alumni Medallion Recipients

While we are proud to honor our young people, we recognize 4-H Grown Alumni who, through the skills learned in 4-H, are impacting lives and excelling in their respective fields.

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Kent Bazemore is a North Carolina 4-H alumnus and shooting guard for the Atlanta Hawks. Kent’s time as a 4-H’er instilled in him a strong belief in giving back, which is why he created the ARMS Foundation as a platform to help children from all walks of life.

Dr. Faustino Bernadett is a California 4-H alumnus and co-founder of the Molina Foundation. The Foundation partners with thousands of community organizations nationally, including 4-H and Cooperative Extension, to distribute millions of new books to children and families for free and supports initiatives to improve the quality of life in communities across America.

Aubrey Plaza, Delaware 4-H alumna and Emmy-nominated actress/producer, starring in the FX original series, Legion. Aubrey is currently working with the Wilmington Drama League to promote community theater and arts programs in Delaware.

Brand Champion Award
Osborn Barr is the leading agriculture marketing firm in the United States and plays an instrumental role in amplifying the 4-H brand. Osborn Barr’s 4-H roots run deep, with founder and Chairman Steve Barr once serving on National 4-H Council’s Board of Trustees. Additionally, over 30 percent of the agency has participated in 4-H as a youth or volunteer. Today, that 4-H pride and spirit are what drives the company to tell the 4-H story in a powerful way.
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Learn more about the 2017 4-H Legacy Awards and how you can support!

“Dream big…and I mean really big!”

This was 4-H alumna Peggy Whitson’s advice to youth from the 4-H Clubs of Houston and Hartsfield Elementary School in Texas during a twenty-minute interview on March 3rd, 2017. And such advice is not to be taken lightly when you consider that it was given by someone 250 miles above the Earth’s surface traveling at 17,500 miles per hour.

You see, Peggy Whitson is an astronaut currently living on the International Space Station.

“It is important for young people to dream big,” Whitson told the 4-H’ers. “And I mean really big. Think about things you might not be able to imagine yourself doing. And then imagine yourself there. And then pursue it as a goal. Because you can accomplish it!”

And if there’s anyone who has followed that advice, it’s Whitson herself. Not only was she the first female commander of the International Space Station, but she was also the first female Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA, the organization’s most senior leadership position for active astronauts. Dr. Whitson is currently tied for most spacewalks by a female astronaut in history (a record she’ll break during her current or next mission), and will soon hold the record for most days in space for a United States astronaut.

When asked how she feels about breaking records, Whitson told the 4-H’ers, “I think setting records in exploration is very important. It shows that we’re advancing in our capabilities.” She went on to add, “I hope that young people, in your futures, will surpass all the records that you encounter.”

Talk about a dreaming big.

Throughout the course of the interview, Whitson answered questions on everything from her education to her research to her career as an astronaut, and of course, to her time as a 4-H’er.

So meaningful was her time in 4-H, that when asked about her most memorable experience, she didn’t need a moment to think about it.

“That’s an easy question,” she said with a smile, before telling her interviewers that 4-H helped her overcome a childhood fear of public speaking. From speaking to her local club to speaking in space, Whitson credited 4-H for helping her conquer her fear of public speaking, turning it into a skill that would help her throughout her career.

The interview is a fascinating look into the lives of people who, quite literally, live at the edge of the world. At the end of her interview, Whitson encouraged the youth interviewing her to “look for questions, and try to answer them.”

After all, it’s worked well for her.

To watch the interview, click here.

Raise Your Hand as a 4-H Alumni!
Peggy Whitson shows her pride as a 4-H alum; now it’s time for you to share yours! Raise your hand and identify as a 4-H Alumni: 4-h.org/RaiseYourHand

“Brand in Action” is a series of interviews with 4-H leaders in states nationwide who are investing in the 4-H Grows Engagement Campaign to elevate the 4-H brand, raise resources to help grow the 4-H program and positively impact more young people. This month, we feature Brett Schomer, program and events coordinator at the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development.

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Describe your role in 4-H. How long have you served in this position?

Brett Schomer (BS): I am the program and events coordinator at the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development which is part of Montana State University Extension. This encompasses many things, including planning of statewide events, teen leadership development, advisor to the ambassador program and marketing of the statewide 4-H program.  I have been on the Montana 4-H State staff for just over 11 years. I came to Montana from New Hampshire 4-H where I was a grant assistant on several grants and worked with the state 4-H leaders on special projects for the New Hampshire 4-H Foundation.

Why is it important to you and Montana State University to grow awareness of Cooperative Extension’s 4-H programs in counties across the state of Montana?

BS: For too long 4-H has been Montana’s best-kept secret. There are too many youth across Montana that think 4-H is NOT for them. I believe it is my job to help county staff get the word out to youth and families in their communities that 4-H is for them and “4-H has what kids need!”

Can you describe your recent efforts to align your state’s 4-H marketing efforts with the national 4-H Grows Engagement Campaign?

BS: We have been working on several things to accomplish this. To begin, we have worked extensively to spread the word internally that the messaging, marketing assets and other tools are available to state and county staff and should be used whenever possible. We have also made an effort to merge many of the 4-H Grows marketing assets and messaging with resources we know counties already use, such as rack cards, pull up banners, flyers, posters, newsletter templates and other assets. We have incorporated messaging from the Grow True Leaders campaign into our Montana 4-H talking points. Our approach has been to model the use of the 4-H campaign resources in a variety of different ways at the state level and make these available to county programs for them to do the same.

We have also worked hard to incorporate the campaign into our new website while also staying in line with the Montana State University style and communication guidelines. I think this has created a unique style.

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Montana State University Extension is one of 29 universities that is making a long-term investment in the 4-H Grows Engagement Campaign to build the brand and raise resources to help grow the 4-H program and positively impact more kids in the future. Can you tell us more about your marketing and alumni engagement plans in the coming months?

BS: We have adapted some of the Grow True Leaders Campaign resources to unroll a volunteer recruitment campaign that we hope will strengthen county programs in an effort to receive new 4-H members. These tools include a poster, rack card, post card, talking points, press release, PSA scripts and Facebook photo/posts.

We have plans to continue to build tools for county programs to use to increase their communities’ awareness of 4-H programming. Additionally, we have enlisted the Montana 4-H Leaders Council to assist in the “Raise Your Hand” alumni campaign.

In the future, we would like to put together “booth kits” for counties to use during the fair and camp season.

Are you satisfied with the progress of this 4-H partnership and the work to date?

BS: Yes, and I also think that local people see the value of the campaign as well. The high-quality presence that the campaign has provided 4-H fosters a lot of pride. When you see the amazing ads on television or Facebook or banner in the show ring and they are so impressive it makes me and others I have talked to feel like the campaign illustrates the impact 4-H has on those involved in the program.

What are you most excited about as it pertains to this new 4-H campaign?

BS: I am most excited at how easy it has been to adapt the resources to our needs and how useful the marketing assets have been. My hope is that National 4-H Council will continue to develop new materials to help us keep the campaign fresh and relevant.

 

Regina Heyward’s 4‑H experience started in a small town in Georgia, and it set her on a path that has taken her all over the world. As an expert in sustainability, Heyward works in developing nations in Europe, Asia and South America to ensure that corporations have practices in place to promote positive development. After working at GE and Capital One, she is now senior vice president and head of supplier diversity at Wells Fargo. I spoke with her about how the skills she learned in 4‑H have served her career.


Thank you so much for talking with me today, Regina. It was wonderful to meet you at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Summit in D.C.

Regina Heyward (RH): Absolutely. I think we immediately connected the moment you told me you were from 4‑H.


I agree! How did you first get involved in 4‑H?

RH: My parents raised me with a focus on education, a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the environment, so they really embraced 4‑H. I think by middle school my sisters and I were going to the local extension office for after-school programs, and I was a frequent participant in 4‑H summer camp. It gave us opportunities to learn about lots of different things—dental hygiene, raising plants, I was even on a livestock-judging team. Today, when I walk into a room as an African-American female, and I’m asked, “Tell us something we don’t know about you,” I say that I judged livestock. That surprises people.


What kind of skills and values did you learn from those 4‑H experiences?

RH: 4‑H really honed my public speaking skills, which later helped catapult my career. To be an effective public speaker, you have to be confident, and one reason that 4‑H is such a great program is that it helps build self-esteem in students. 4‑H gave me opportunities to stand in front of a panel of judges and talk about a subject I had researched. I would compete against young people from other schools and other counties.

Those experiences gave me an ability to step outside of my comfort zone and take on new challenges, which helped set me apart when I went to college and law school.


It sounds like 4‑H had an impact on where you are today.

RH: Yes, I think about that often. I really consider 4‑H and the people I met through it to be one of the key aspects as to why I ended up where I did. It absolutely influenced my passion and my skillset.

The appreciation for agriculture led me to study agricultural economics in college, and I had opportunities to work on international research projects and publish papers about sustainability. That path led me to work in Asia, Brazil and Europe on ensuring that corporate America has practices in place to contribute to positive development.


Has 4‑H changed much since you were in it?

RH: A lot about 4‑H today reminds me of the 4‑H that I was a part of. It’s still serving youth in urban and rural communities across the nation, tackling some of the top issues that we are facing as a society. There has been a shift, a bit, in the kinds of issues we’re looking at. For instance, there’s more focus on preparing girls to be leaders and developing their self-esteem.

There is also more focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Those subjects are an essential need not only from a business/community standpoint but an economic viability standpoint. It makes me very proud to see that 4‑H is playing a role in some of the real issues that are facing society. We need more organizations like 4‑H that are rolling their sleeves up and really getting into creative solutions that are going to help us win as an overall society.


Can you share some of the challenges you have faced as an African-American woman in business?

RH: I’ve spent most of my career as probably one of two African Americans in the room. But when it became real to me was when I started working in China. I got off the plane in Shanghai, and all of a sudden I was the only American, the only Black person, and the only woman over 5’ 8”. I was looking around, thinking, “It doesn’t get any more ‘only’ than this!”

Here’s what I learned: There are people everywhere who will help you and people who will extend kindness to you. What I had to do was find those individuals who cared about the same things I did and who didn’t treat my diversity or my difference as an impediment to me. My strategy is to work to find common ground or shared interests. If I align myself with the people who understand who I am and I understand who they are, I won’t have a problem. Now, I’ve had a few situations where it was pretty tough to get to the commonality. Or it might take a little bit of time. But I’ve become really good at figuring it out.

Sometimes the commonality is that we both enjoy fishing or we both like football! Whatever it is I’m going to find it, and we’re going to start from that point, and we’ll deal with everything else as we go.


How does the topic of inclusion in business relate to education and youth development?

RH: I think youth development requires an environment where everybody is encouraged, and that’s what’s at the heart of inclusion. Whether you’re in a 4‑H meeting or a board meeting, when individuals from diverse backgrounds and have varied expertise welcome ideas, that’s key to ending up with optimal results.

February is all about hearts! Yes, Valentine’s Day is coming up, but it’s also American Heart Month.The heart is one of the most important organs in your body–you can’t live without it! Unfortunately, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.It’s about time we showed our hearts a little more love!

You can start improving your heart health today, with the American Heart Association’s ‘Life’s Simple 7’:

  1. Avoid smoking and using tobacco products.
  2. Be physically active every day.
  3. Eat a heart-healthy diet.
  4. Keep a healthy weight.
  5. Keep your blood pressure healthy.
  6. Keep your total cholesterol healthy.
  7. Keep your blood sugar healthy.
Did you notice that five out of the seven items are related to diet and nutrition? Healthy eating is one of the most efficient ways to keep your heart pumping like it should.So this February, slam the brakes on all that candy and chocolate (it’s tough, I know!) and try some heart healthy recipes instead!One of my favorite breakfast dishes is a papaya boat. Papayas are rich in beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, and fiber, all of which are great for your heart!
Start with a quarter of a papaya, and fill the divot in the center with a few tablespoons of your favorite plain yogurt. I love goat milk yogurt for its smooth texture, but Greek yogurt works well too! Just make sure there aren’t any added sugars–the papaya is sweet enough!

Sprinkle some berries, nuts, and seeds on top of the yogurt. I like blueberries, which have tons of phytonutrients. Peanuts and sunflower seeds add some healthy fats and protein, not to mention a great crunch!

Now dig into all those bright, beautiful colors on your plate, because taking care of your heart is the best Valentine you can get!

Visit MyLifeCheck.org to understand more about heart health and learn ideas to help you make healthy choices.
Recently, 4‑H youth leaders in Lafayette, Louisiana, helped lead sessions with kids from nine schools focused on nutrition, smart grocery shopping, composting and other healthy living topics. The sessions were part of a United Healthcare 4‑H Food Smart Families School Garden Initiative Training.

The 4‑H Food Smart Families program helps to empower families through food knowledge and education to build sustainable solutions that confront food insecurity and improve overall health. Driven by 4‑H teen leaders, 4‑H Food Smart Families programming focuses on helping peers and their families learn about food – how to budget for it, use it, cook it and make choices that contribute toward their health and well-being.