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It's no secret that spending time outdoors has many health benefits. Access to nature is associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and sadness. Young people especially have much to gain from the benefits of nature. Youth yearn for and seek outdoor experiences, whether it's a soccer game at a park, a day at camp, growing a garden, or caring for animals.

While the state of youth mental health has been on the decline for more than a decade, it has accelerated over the past few years. From a global pandemic and climate change to social injustice and cyber bullying, young people are facing a world of uncertainty and a new set of challenges and stressors. Now more than ever, engaging with nature is a sanctuary, a path to reconnecting and healing.

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Our recent survery, revealed that 85 percent of teens believe access to the outdoors is a basic human right, and another 89 percent regularly think about the environment. After spending time outdoors, 66 percent said they feel less stressed, and the levels of stress only decrease the more time they spend outdoors. This gives us insight into how much teens value time spent outdoors and the benefits it provides.

Despite this knowledge, teens recognize that access to nature varies with 62 percent of teens wishing they had more time to spend outdoors but are too committed to other activities. The teens surveyed also recognize the gaps, with 82 percent of them wishing their school did more to provide outdoor experiences and learning opportunities. Another 48 percent said they would like to spend more time outdoors but were not sure where to start.

Cooperative Extension's 4-H program is just the place to make that start. 4-H empowers youth by giving them the support and skills they need while providing rewarding outdoor experiences. The THR!VE Youth-Adult Mindfulness Retreat is one of these opportunities. The retreat, offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's 4-H program, helps teens reconnect with parents, create new connections, and discover the benefits of mindfulness while participating in outdoor activities like zip-lining, archery, hiking, horseback riding, and canoeing. Youth left the retreat feeling, "calm and refreshed, relaxed and recharged, accepted, encouraged, creative, more connected, confident, and better able to manage stress."

Teens crave more connection to nature and the environment in their everyday lives. They need access to programs that not only deliver the benefits of time outdoors, but also the education that enriches their lives. Today's youth feel empowered and united to become agents of change that successfully create a future with healthier people and a healthier planet. All they need is the right opportunity.

It's not an easy fix, however, 4-H can be part of the solution. Even in today's hybrid-virtual world, 4-H opens doors to nature and learning to ignite a spark in all youth. Find your local 4-H club here.

For ideas and activities to get youth enjoying the outdoors, visit 4-H at Home.

Visit our new Sharing is Daring page to learn about how you can share #WhatIWishPeopleKnew

A worldwide organization unlike any other, 4-H is unique. Over 6 million teens and youth of every imaginable background make 4-H what it is, each one of them with their own story. WIWPK is a place to capture their experiences, their challenges, their vision, their success.

A 4-H advocate for teen mental health, Mayyadah believes that small actions make a big difference. Seeing and hearing people, showing respect and giving validation play a big part in a person's mental health journey and having a support system of peers and family in place is key when challenges and hurdles do arise.

Learn more about Mayyadah and her reflections on inclusion and teen mental health in the video below.

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Data reveals that Gen Z is worried yet optimistic about the future of the planet, believe it’s critical to address now or will lead to global political instability

CHEVY CHASE, MD (April 13, 2022) - A new survey by National 4-H Council and the Harris Poll exploring teens' perceptions and attitudes about the environment found that across demographic groups, 75 percent of Gen Z teens in the U.S. are worried about the future of the planet.

An overwhelming 84 percent of teens agree that if climate change is not addressed today, it will be too late for coming generations and make parts of the planet unlivable. This impacts how they view their own futures, with 84 percent of Gen Z respondents indicating that the effects of climate change will lead to global political instability and 69 percent of teens expressing worries that they and their families will be personally affected by climate change through floods, fires, and extreme heat in the near future.

"This survey reinforces that climate change is among the most urgent issues facing youth today," said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of National 4-H Council. "Gen Z has experienced historic weather events and climate concerns firsthand, and they are channeling their worries into innovative solutions in their backyards and the world," added Sirangelo. "Cooperative Extension's 4-H program is committed to lifting up youth voices and empowering young people to help their communities achieve a brighter and more environmentally secure future."

Teens feel empowered to take action with 84 percent expressing a desire to be involved in shaping the future success of the planet. Yet they believe everyone is equally responsible for protecting and preserving the environment and that political and business leaders are falling short. The vast majority of teens (84 percent) agree that we need more action from companies on addressing climate issues, and 83 percent of teens want to see more legislative action from the government.

"The future of the Mississippi River is concerning because it is the lifeline to not only Louisiana industries and ecosystems, but also to the entire country," said Louisiana 4-H'er Izzy Dean. "If the Mississippi River and its deltas continue to experience pollution, nutrient runoff, and levees blocking the reintroduction of soil deposits to the floodplains, there will be detrimental impacts for the environment and future generations of humanity," added Dean. "I hope that my soon-to-be career as a coastal environmental scientist can address these concerns by figuring out solutions to mitigate subsidence, restore disappearing habitats, and work to fix the many other problems that plague this very important, yet very fragile, river and watershed."

The survey also found that Gen Z is concerned not just about their own individual futures when it comes to climate change, but on the future of life as we know it. Indeed, 84 percent of teens are worried that if we don't do more to protect the environment now, humans, along with wildlife and other species, will suffer and possibly go extinct.

"For generations, 4-H'ers have recited the 4-H pledge, 'pledging their hands to larger service.' The current generation faces severe environmental challenges with great concern and even greater hope," said Dave Francis, Director of Extension & 4-H Youth Programs for Utah State University Extension. "These young leaders know they can make a difference and are willing to extend great effort to drive change in their local communities to impact the world."

The survey polled 1,500 respondents between the ages of 13-19 nationwide. Data was collected and analyzed on a variety of factors including gender, age, race, urbanicity, and 4-H involvement. The full survey results can be viewed at 4-H.org.

Contact:

Julia Majors, National 4-H Council
jmajors@fourhcouncil.edu
202-262-1782

About 4-H

4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.  Learn more about 4‑H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

As the firstborn child of two Cameroonian immigrants the path of my life has been an immovable blueprint, a vicarious manifestation of my parent's dreams. Go to school, graduate with high marks, become a doctor, support the family, and set the precedent for those who come after you. Being inept and failing is not an option. Additionally, having lived in predominantly white towns for most of my life, the perpetuated monolithic tropes of young black women aren't beneficial for survival. To survive, I wield code-switching like a sword with many faces. Neither of these factors enabled my emotional fluidity. I was expected to only showcase my strengths. I felt trapped and isolated.

To combat this, I facilitated race relations discussions amongst my peers and adults within my community. When asked why, I habitually said what people wanted to hear. I'd reply, "Racism is a viral societal ill that must be combatted one uncomfortable conversation at a time. I am advocating for anti-racism because the voices of people of color deserve to be amplified. We deserve visibility." This response is correct socially and politically, but it wasn't honest. My guard was still up, and I began to question myself more. Why was I really doing this? I summed it up to two factors.

First, by facilitating these discussions, I gave myself permission to be vulnerable. I was afraid of being perceived as frail, inadequate, or a victim. I viewed my vulnerability as a weapon to be used against me, rather than a strength I can utilize upon my own volition. With every unfiltered conversation, I began to free myself. Being able to lay my pain out in front of others was relieving. With that relief I invited others to be vulnerable as well, to share their stories, relay their pain or lack of understanding, and with that understanding came increased empathy.

By facilitating these workshops and cultivating empathy within my community, others have experienced that freedom as well. My 4-H peers and I started to bridge the gap between young people and law enforcement, freeing one another from preconceived grudges and historical challenges. Our outreach expanded as other 4-H clubs across New York State were inspired to host their own Race and Reconciliation workshops too. In my own school, I was empowered to create a safe space for students of many different backgrounds and identities to feel free as themselves. In collaboration with the school board, my peers and I created a "Diversity Cafe", a space within our school's library that would enable students to meet with each other, share their stories, and embrace their differences. I am proud to say our leadership inspired our school to start constructing the Diversity Cafe, which will be completed this year. I hope this will be a space for future 4-H teen leaders to teach the values of advocacy and hospitality to all.

As a Youth in Action Pillar Winner, I am using my platform to educate others on anti-racism and to find new ways to foster safe spaces for my peers inside and outside 4-H. I've also continued my Race and Reconciliation work here at The George Washington University through the Women's Leadership Program. In collaboration with another student, we conducted a workshop titled, "Understanding and Supporting Non-Dominant Race and Gender Identities". This sparked numerous introspective conversations about ways to support one another through societal struggles and because of this workshop, we were even awarded the Humphries Leadership Award for Spring 2022.

I know there is still work to be done, but at the end of it all, I just hope to create freedom for my peers: for emotions and self-expression, for empathy and understanding.

Growing up in a small, rural Louisiana town surrounded by agriculture, I was reminded of the value and importance of the industry every day.

There's no doubt in my mind that I would not be the person that I am today, and in the role that I am in, had it not been for 4-H. The ability to be able to learn how to serve, the ability to learn about civic engagement, the ability to learn how to lead - the heart and the passion that is given from 4-H - have all shaped my career and who I am as a person.

After high school, I earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I went on to Louisiana State University to earn a master's in environmental studies and a Ph.D. in renewable natural resources. As I pursued degrees in male-dominated fields, I was able to rely on the opportunities, skills and confidence I gained through 4-H.

When I stepped into my role at NIFA, a priority was to build a strong, innovative agency filled with some of the nation's very best experts. Our NIFA team is dedicated to strengthening education and Extension outreach efforts to help propel U.S. agriculture forward and solve some of our most pressing national issues.

During my time as NIFA director, I have had the opportunity to spend time talking with and listening to our 4-H'ers about the challenges they face and how we at NIFA can play a role in best serving them.

While we are focused on developing science, knowledge and service delivery to address the big challenges of our time, we are keenly aware of the greatest need we have - to educate and develop the next generation of scientists and leaders for agriculture and our communities.

When it comes to our priorities throughout NIFA, one of the things that we try to do is make sure everyone feels like they belong. That is particularly important with 4-H and positive youth development.

As we work together to be able to build our support for all young people, particularly those that come from underserved populations, we ask what we can do not only as USDA, not only as NIFA, but as people - people that believe in youth. What can we do to make sure we are supporting our commitment to make sure everyone belongs in 4-H?

I recognize that my ability to be where I am is because of the leaders ahead of me. I value my role, and it is a true honor to be helping pave the way for others to find their place in agriculture.

The future is bright, and I am so very encouraged by the work I see being done with our young people in 4-H. By prioritizing positive youth development, I know our young people will be poised to lead.

Meet the people of 4-H who are breaking down barriers, creating change, and inspiring others.

As educators, community activists, industry experts, innovators, and leaders, these 4-H trailblazers are paving the way for generations to come. Get to know this month's trailblazing youth, alumni, and supporters who have created change and opportunity within their communities and bring the 4-H mission to life.

Featured 4-H Trailblazers

Jesse Lee Eller

CEO & Founder, Studio 5 - Learning + Development, Inc.

As CEO and Founder of a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, he understands what it means to honor and value the diversity of people and of thought. Through his leadership and guidance, Studio 5 empowers people to do the best work of their lives through meaningful thought partnerships with the world’s leading human-centered organizations. In 2015, Jesse founded and launched the Cultivating Change Foundation - the largest organization globally that focuses on valuing and elevating LGBT agriculturists.

Marcus Hollan

Chief People Officer, Studio 5 - Learning + Development, Inc.

With a passion for people development and organizational change, Marcus served as the Executive Director of the Cultivating Change Foundation, a 501(c)(3) aimed at valuing and elevating LGBT agriculturists through advocacy, education, and community. At Studio 5, his focus is on building the ecosystem to attract and retain top tier talent by creating the conditions that produce a meaningful employee experience. He believes that human capital is the most valuable asset to have and that the development of people in an organization is vital to its success.

Ann Veneman

Former Secretary of Agriculture, USDA

Once named one of Forbes most powerful women, Ann Veneman has earned her place in history, both nationally and internationally. Veneman’s first notable role was serving as the Secretary of Agriculture, where she is the only woman to date to hold the position. In 2005, she was appointed as the fifth executive director of UNICEF, where she advocated for solving global hunger and children’s and women’s rights.

Dr. Carrie Castille

Director, USDA-NIFA

From Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University to state director of the Louisiana Rural Development, Dr. Carrie Castille has spent her career being a champion for education, agriculture, and rural issues. After several roles and a number of Louisiana state honors— she was the first woman inducted into the University of Louisiana Lafayette College of Engineering Hall of Distinction—today, Dr. Castille is the first woman to serve as director of USDA-NIFA in a non-acting capacity.

 

Congresswoman Terri Sewell

US Representative, Alabama

Congresswoman Terri Sewell credits her experiences in Alabama 4-H and a number of mentors for investing in her. Among her many accomplishments, she is notably the first woman elected to Congress in Alabama and the first Black woman to serve in the Alabama Congressional Delegation. Today, she uses her platform to advocate for voter rights and equality.

Jennifer Sirangelo

President & CEO, National 4-H Council

As the first female to serve as president and CEO at National 4-H Council, she has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business and recipient of the Female Executive of the Year Award.

My English name is Tashina Red Hawk. My Lakota name is Anpetu Yuonihan Win, which means “Honors the Day Woman.”  I represent the Sicangu Lakota Oyate, who are also known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. I reflect those who have raised me, taught me, and molded me into the person that I am today. I respect all of Creation and truly believe that we are all related and created equally.

As a Lakota, I was taught that our animals are sacred, and even though animals do not speak our language, they understand us. Many times, I have witnessed an animal’s ability to help and heal a person during their time of need, but I have also experienced this first-hand with a Sunka Wakan “Horse.”

As a young girl, I saw a two-year-old chestnut-colored Appaloosa at a horse sale. While he wasn’t the best looking in the herd, I could tell there was something very special about him, so we brought him home. That year, I had the honor of administering his vaccinations, as well as feeding and gentling him. One day, when I went out to check on him, he was gone! After a week of looking for him, we arranged to meet with a spiritual advisor. Our sacred Lakota ways are a part of my identity, a way of living for me and my family, and I have faith in my beliefs. The spiritual advisor informed us that sickness was coming to our home, but the horse chose to take the illness upon himself. This is the power of a horse – all horses have this ability! Our spiritual advisor told us where to find the horse, and just as he described, we found him beautifully laying under a tree in our 160-acre backyard.

It is experiences like this that have made me passionate about giving back to the animal nation, and with 4-H I’ve been able to do just that. The Rosebud community faces economic hardships, and many people struggle to provide for their pets. The closest veterinarian is 100 miles away round trip and requires a $200 deposit to be seen. Armed with the passion to improve the lives of others in my community and the ethics and morals I learned from 4-H, I began volunteering at the charitable Rosebud Sioux Tribe Animal Clinic as a freshman in high school. Through this volunteer work, I not only found my passion for vet science, but I am able to utilize the skills I learned from 4-H to serve in multiple roles at the animal clinic.

This has helped me find my purpose and spark – to become a veterinarian. My career goal is to use the skills gained from higher education to give back to my community by opening a charitable animal clinic on the Rosebud Reservation, and ultimately, to be the voice of the animal nation.

I feel very blessed to live on the land of my ancestors. The Rosebud Reservation is a sacred place, and we walk and live on her (Unci Maka) gently. I have been privileged with the many teachings that my community, elders and tribe have shared with me. Now, I am grateful that 4-H has given me a voice to share with the Nation about our beautiful way of life.

 

Tashina Red Hawk is the 2022 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Winner for Agriculture, sponsored by Bayer Crop Science.

In memory of Elizabeth Weidner (2004-2021). Her adventurous spirit will live on and inspire us, forever.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, signified by the gold ribbon because children are as precious as gold. Cancer doesn’t discriminate; it can happen to and affect any child. This includes our 4-H families.  It happened to ours!

My journey hasn’t been easy, but one way I stayed focused was my involvement with 4-H.  During my bone marrow transplant for example, I was isolated in a children’s hospital in St. Louis where the occupational and physical therapists wanted me to play games or do Legos because “that’s what people usually do when recovering from transplant.” Instead I worked on 4-H projects.  Those projects kept me focused, brought me comfort, and gave me a purpose!

4-H groups can serve their own purpose while helping families in their communities who may be affected by cancer. Here are some ways you can bring help and provide assistance to those families in need.

Provide Basic Supplies: Partner with local hotels or civic clubs to collect and donate sample-sized toiletries and items to children’s hospitals or local Ronald McDonald Houses. Emergency trips happen, items get forgotten, and budgets are tight. From experience, these samples make a big difference.

Organize Blood Drives: Cancer patients go through a lot of blood products due to the toxicity of treatment on the individual.  Blood banks continue to experience critical shortages that affect the ability to supply hospitals and cancer center needs. Organizing a blood drive can’t offer 4-H members so many leadership opportunities that people don’t think about, like organizational skills. Saving lives is meaningful.

Support Siblings: As a patient, I can tell you siblings are often left out of the equation. Cancer affects the entire family.  Maybe your club could offer to adopt or do something nice for a cancer warrior’s siblings.  My brothers are into sports, so many have purchased athletic shoes or paid for uniforms, which is really helpful. Carpooling, showing up to events and cheering for them, and streaming games are a few other ideas that show siblings that someone cares.

Give Your Time through 4-H Projects: Something that doesn’t require money is the gift of time, especially if that time spent dedicated to a 4-H project or interest! Here are a few examples:

  • Do you have a talent such as photography? When budgets are tight or time is limited, professional family portraits are often neglected. Your 4-H photography project could give a cancer-family precious memories for the future.
  • Maybe you belong to a spin club that focuses on animals. My siblings love to go horseback riding but we don’t own horses. So a couple of local 4-H families donate their time to teach my brothers how to ride. That special time takes their minds off of missing our parents or thinking about what is happening in the hospital. Those experiences put smiles on faces where tears often reside!
  • Do you have members who want to learn how to sew? Try a Saturday service project learning the basics and creating pillowcases for children’s hospitals. Cotton fabrics work best, especially on oncology floors where linens are changed daily. A pillowcase, while it may seem simple, brightens sterile hospital rooms stitched in love.

Develop a Meal Train: A meal train is an organized meal giving system that allows you to donate a meal or request a meal delivery. Some families need daily help while others may choose specific dates that align with appointments.  For my mom, preparing a meal some days may be the last thing on her mind. Coming home to a home cooked meal, especially one that includes tried and true 4-H recipes brings true comfort to our family!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed at any age when you hear the words, “You have cancer,” but where we find hope is our community. Whether a community means where you reside, where you practice your faith, your 4-H family, or another group you belong to, it’s where we find our strength, how we move forward, and ultimately, what makes us survivors.

When I got involved in 4‑H at 12 years old, I had no idea how much I would learn about people, leadership, food insecurity, and the global needs around the world. I got involved in 4‑H to help start a community garden that would provide fresh fruits and vegetables to community members in need. Since then, I’ve developed a passion for addressing food insecurity and had a chance to do so on a global scale as the youth vice-chair for Action Track 1 for the United Nation’s Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), set to take place on September 23, 2020.

In the United States and worldwide, food systems are what we rely on to get the nutritious foods we need to thrive. Food systems include agriculture production, technology, food processing, public policy, distribution and resale, and consumers like you and me! The UNFSS is designed to engage people globally in conversations about food systems and how we can improve them for the future. As the youth vice-chair for Action Track 1, I’ve worked with a team from around the world to address how we can provide safe and nutritious food for all people across the globe. It’s been an amazing experience to hear and learn from world-class leaders who work every day to ensure all people have access to proper nutrition and aren’t going hungry!

I’m proud to have joined many young leaders from around the world to deliver a youth pledge at the UN Food Systems Summit in September. What we eat shapes us; it influences our health and well-being and impacts the environment. That’s why we started a movement called “Youth #Act4Food #Act4Change,” a global campaign to bring the signatures of thousands of young people across the world to the Summit, calling on leaders to bring significant change to our food system.

Through the youth pledge and other initiatives of the UNFSS, I hope that youth around the world will stand up and help bring actual change into our food system. As youth and future leaders, we are the people who will live on this planet the longest, and we want to ensure we have a healthy, safe planet that is ready to support the billions of people who live here for years to come. Our current food systems contribute to the ongoing health, climate and biodiversity crises, so we must work together to call for action amongst our world’s leaders.

Will you join me in pledging to act and calling on decision-makers to make changes that will lead to a thriving, sustainable food system? Sign the pledge today to uplift your voice. When we all work together, we can #Act4Food and #Act4Change to support #GoodFoodForAll!

I stomp my boots hard on the ground, just like my club leader Saralynn taught me. As I finish the final move, I spin in my dance partner and yell a loud grito, louder than I ever have before. I walk off the stage, chest puffed up, filled with pride, sweat dripping down my face. I take off my sombrero, sash and sarape.

Through the Ballet Folklorico De Colores 4-H club, 4-H has given me the greatest gift in the world: Being able to truly know my own culture.

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My journey in 4-H first started at the 4-H Summer Day Camps in Wayne County, North Carolina. Learning about sewing, sea animals, and STEM during the summer was what 4-H meant to me seven years ago. In 2014, I joined the newly formed Ballet Folklorico De Colores 4-H Club simply because I wanted to wear the bright, colorful attire. As a fifth-grader in a school where I was the only Latino in my class, it was difficult to find myself and appreciate the culture I was a part of. De Colores brought that to me through dance. For many of the kids in De Colores 4-H, it has provided a sense of not just community, but family. Many of our club members, including myself, have family thousands of miles away that we do not get to see often. De Colores brings us together and creates unbreakable bonds because together, we are learning about our own culture and seeing the true beauty of our forever home away from home every Friday night.
 
Wayne County is a tight-knit community. Everyone knows everyone, but not everybody knows everyone’s culture. I think back to one of our early performances at Herman Park, where the crowd was cheering, but not like they do now. The big dresses, large mariachi sombreros, and the elegant white-laced tops were unknown and new to our community. Our club has expanded my community’s views on Mexican and Latino culture. They have seen dances and clothing that many Americans will not see and have had the opportunity to have a widened view of their Latino brothers and sisters.
 
In 2019, De Colores 4-H had the chance to star in Lauren V. Allen’s VSCO Voices Film, “GRITO,” highlighting Latino Youth and the Ballet Folklorico De Colores 4-H Club in Wayne County. Through this project, we showcased to Wayne County the beauty, struggle and perseverance of the Latino 4-H youth and how we showed and spoke about our culture with a true cathartic yell of honor. Many Latino families stay hidden, trying to draw the least amount of attention possible. Their weekly routine mainly consists of work, home and church. De Colores did the exact opposite. The Mexican culture is loud, vibrant and colorful. So were the dances we were performing all over Eastern North Carolina. For many of our families, this was an outlet to appreciate and remember back to their days in Mexico.
 
Not only are we changing our community’s perspective of our culture through dance, but through community service as well. Our De Colores members participate in 4-H presentations, 4-H competitions, and aid in community service. Dancing is a great gateway to public speaking and becoming a leader because if you can dance in front of a crowd of 200 plus people, you can speak. Our parents aren’t left out from community service. They meet every Friday as part of the Caminando Juntos Extension and Community Association Club. They help build, sew and fix our costumes and hairpieces, and participate in County-wide volunteer efforts, such as our local Fair, service projects, and much more.
 
I am currently the North Carolina 4-H State Council President and proud to say the first Latino to hold that office. My position has provided me with the platform to make the grito of every Latino louder than ever in 4-H. This Hispanic Heritage Month, and every month, I have the opportunity to do more for the Latino community, not just in North Carolina but the United States. Because in 4-H, we believe in Opportunity for All and making our country’s best better every single day.