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Chevy Chase, MD (March 21, 2017) – National 4‑H Council announces today the launch of 4‑H Luminaries, an exclusive group of accomplished and influential 4‑H alumni that will help raise awareness of the life-changing 4‑H impact and generate support for bringing 4‑H to more youth in need.

This prestigious group is part of the 25 million 4‑H alumni from across the nation that share a common bond in 4‑H – an experience that helped teach invaluable life skills like responsibility, compassion and the value of hard work. The 2017 Class of 4‑H Luminaries includes Grammy award-winning artist Jennifer Nettles, NBA star Kent Bazemore, Facebook executive Andrew Bosworth and MSNBC anchor Craig Melvin, to name a few. See the full list of the Luminaries.

“4 H gives kids the opportunity to learn by doing, to grow from not only the encouragements brought by success, but also through challenges and failures. These skills will help them to handle whatever life may throw their way,” said Jennifer Nettles, Grammy-award winning musician, actress and 4‑H national spokesperson. “No one knows this better than those of us who have experienced 4‑H programs firsthand. As alumni, we want to ensure youth today are able to have the same experiences that contributed to our successes.”

The 40 members recognized in the 2017 Class of 4‑H Luminaries will help fuel the growth of 4‑H by committing to serve as 4‑H spokespeople sharing the personal impact of 4‑H, offering their expertise and access to experiences for 4‑H youth, alumni and professionals, and connecting their network for marketing, media and fundraising opportunities to help grow the mission of 4‑H.

“Whether they are running Fortune 100 companies and performing to sold-out crowds or leading community programs and volunteering to empower local youth, 4‑H alumni represent the epitome of true leadership,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4‑H Council. “These remarkable alumni are committed to paying it forward and ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to benefit from the 4‑H experience.”

4‑H Luminaries is announced in conjunction with the launch of 4‑H’s Raise Your Hand campaign where 4‑H alumni across the nation are asked to raise their hands to support the next generation of true leaders. Every alumni hand raised is a vote towards a $20,000 award for the 4‑H state with the most hands raised. To learn more about Raise Your Hand and 4‑H Luminaries visit Raise Your Hand.

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 career 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, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

Chevy Chase, MD (February 22, 2017) — National 4-H Council today announced that Bryanne Sanchez, 18, of Imperial, Calif., was selected as winner of the 2017 4-H Youth In Action Award for Healthy Living. Sanchez will be recognized nationally for the true leadership she has demonstrated as an advocate for healthy lifestyles in her community and across the state.

In an effort to address the 62 percent obesity rate in her county, Sanchez annually hosts the Imperial County 4-H Color Me Green run. The race, which also includes a local business health fair, gave away more than 90 boxes of fresh produce to runners and their families in 2017.

As a California 4-H State Ambassador, Sanchez organized a “Text Talk Act” campaign to bring awareness to mental health issues. She also organized the educational component of the California State Leadership Conference’s All 4-H Health Fair, working with organizations to present about various healthy living topics.

“I believe I am a 4-H true leader because I am empowering youth throughout California to make healthy lifestyle decisions,” Sanchez said. “It started with recognizing the need in my own county – a drastic 62 percent obesity rate – and developing ways to combat the problem. I recognized that I have the power to enact change by educating others, and I plan to do so for the rest of my life. I want everyone to realize there is no better time than now to start living healthy.”

Sanchez will receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education and will serve as spokesperson for 4-H Healthy Living programming. She will be officially recognized as the 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Winner for Healthy Living, sponsored by Molina Healthcare, at the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

Headshot-YIA-Press-Release-Bryanne-Sanchez-Final-2017

Sanchez is joined in her role as a 2017 4‑H Youth In Action Pillar Winner by Samuel Sugarman, California 4-H’er and Agriculture pillar winner; Ava Lonneman, Ohio 4-H’er and STEM pillar winner; and Amelia Day , Georgia 4-H’er and Citizenship pillar winner.

The 4-H Youth In Action Awards, sponsored in part by Molina Healthcare, began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. This award highlights youth in each of our core areas of Agriculture, Citizenship, Healthy Living and STEM. These four pillars represent the fields in which 4-H youth excel on a national level and align with the mission mandates of National 4-H Council.

To learn more about Youth In Action or to see the other pillar winners from around the country, please visit https://4-h.org/parents/4-h-youth-in-action/.

To contact the local 4-H office for Youth In Action interviews:
Shanna Abatti, California 4-H Educator smabatti@ucanr.edu
Suzanne Morikawa, California State 4-H Staff morikawa@ucanr.edu

About 4-H

As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In the U.S., 4-H serves every county and parish through our network of 110 universities and more than 3,000 local 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. 4-H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations and professional associations. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Learn more about 4-H at www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4-H

About Molina Healthcare, Inc.

Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Through their locally operated health plans in 12 states across the nation and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Molina currently serves approximately 4.2 million members. Dr. C. David Molina founded the company in 1980 as a provider organization serving low-income families in Southern California. Today, they continue his mission of providing high quality and cost-effective health care to those who need it most.
For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit their website at www.molinahealthcare.com.

Chevy Chase, MD (February 22, 2017) — National 4-H Council today announced that Samuel Sugarman, 18, of Encinitas, Calif., was selected as winner of the 2017 4-H Youth In Action Award for Agriculture. Sugarman will be nationally recognized for his true leadership through agriculture education and his free Farm Tour Program.

Sugarman created the Farm tour Program to connect youth in his community with animals and nature. Over the past five years, Sugarman led hundreds of farm tours, educating youth about sustainable agriculture, where food comes from, and respect for animals and the earth.

“As a teen leader, I hosted lots of project meetings at my farm and saw how beneficial it was for urban children to interact with the animals,” Sugarman said. “When children grow up disconnected from their food, from animals and from the earth, they miss opportunities to develop qualities of stewardship, compassion, patience, and gratitude.”

Sugarman will receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education and will serve as spokesperson for 4-H Agriculture programming. He will be officially recognized as the 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Winner for Agriculture at the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

Sugarman is joined is his role as a 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Winner by Amelia Day, Georgia 4-H’er and Citizenship pillar winner; Ava Lonneman, Ohio 4-H’er and STEM pillar winner; and Bryanne Sanchez, California 4-H’er and Healthy living pillar winner.

The 4-H Youth In Action Awards, sponsored in part by Bayer, began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. This award highlights youth in each of our core areas of Agriculture, Citizenship, Healthy Living and STEM. These four pillars represent the fields in which 4-H youth excel on a national level and align with the mission mandates of National 4-H Council.

To learn more about Youth In Action or to see the other pillar winners from around the country, please visit Youth in Action.

To schedule an interview contact Sue Manglallan, 4-H Educator, ssmanglallan@ucanr.edu 858-822-7773. OR, Suzanne Morikawa, State 4-H Staff, morikawa@ucanr.edu 530-750-1381.

About 4-H

 

As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In the U.S., 4-H serves every county and parish through our network of 110 universities and more than 3,000 local 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. 4-H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations and professional associations. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Learn more about 4-H at 4-h.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4-H.

About Bayer

 

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015.
For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Chevy Chase, MD (February 22, 2017) — National 4-H Council today announced that Ava Lonneman, 17, of Mogadore, Ohio, was selected as winner of the 2017 Youth In Action Pillar Award for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Lonneman will be recognized nationally for establishing herself as a leading youth advocate and organizer for STEM education, reaching more than 1,600 youth with hands-on programming in three years.

Since she began high school, Lonneman has engaged more than 1,000 of her peers in large-scale events designed to help young people develop interest in STEM fields. Last year Lonneman built on this success by founding the Bio-Med Science Academy 4-H Afterschool Makers Club. Through the club, she and her classmates use hands-on learning to both deepen their STEM skills and help other young people find a passion for STEM. The club’s mentoring project reached more than 600 middle schoolers last year, and Lonneman is planning to expand its reach this year.

“When I was young, I remember hearing from a classmate, ‘STEM isn’t for girls,” recalls Lonneman. “But even from an early age, I knew that STEM was my passion. My goal is to help other young people – and especially other girls – realize that STEM is fun, and that success is within your reach. Through STEM and 4-H, I’ve seen an incredible improvement in the confidence, leadership skills, and sense of community of the teen STEM leaders in my after-school Makers Club.”

Lonneman will receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education and will serve as an advocate and spokesperson for 4-H STEM programming. She will be officially recognized as the 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Winner for STEM, sponsored by HughesNet, at the 4-H Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
“Ava’s passion for STEM is contagious and sharing that passion with her peers is exactly what is needed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians,” said Peter Gulla, senior vice president of marketing, Hughes Network Systems. “Together with 4-H, we are bringing hands-on STEM learning to the communities we serve. Ava’s work is a true inspiration to see what one individual can do to help others uncover, encourage and empower their STEM knowledge and skills.”

Lonneman is joined in her role as a 2017 Youth in Action Pillar Winner by Samuel Sugarman, Agriculture Pillar Winner; Amelia Day, Citizenship Pillar Winner; and Bryanne Sanchez, Healthy Living Pillar Winner.

The 4-H Youth In Action Awards, sponsored in part by HughesNet, began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. This award highlights youth in each of 4-H’s core areas of Agriculture, Citizenship, Healthy Living and STEM. These four pillars represent the fields in which 4-H youth excel on a national level and align with the mission mandates of National 4-H Council.

To learn more about Youth In Action or to see the other pillar winners from around the country, please visit Youth in Action.

To schedule an interview contact: Ashley Hughley, Ohio 4‑H Educator (hughey.28@osu.edu | 330-296-6432) or Sally McClaskey, Ohio State 4‑H Staff (mcclaskey.12@osu.edu |614-247-8141).

About 4-H

As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In the U.S., 4-H serves every county and parish through our network of 110 universities and more than 3,000 local 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. 4-H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations and professional associations. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Learn more about 4-H at prod.four-h.himumsaiddad.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4-H.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the global leader in satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative solutions and a comprehensive suite of HughesON™ managed services for enterprises and governments worldwide. HughesNet® is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 5 million systems to customers in more than 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

Chevy Chase, MD (February 21, 2017) — National 4-H Council today announced that Amelia Day, 18, of Fort Valley, Ga., was selected as winner of the 2017 4-H Youth In Action Award for Civic Engagement. Day will be recognized nationally for the true leadership she has demonstrated as founder of the Operation: Veteran Smiles (OVS) community service initiative that she started at age 13.

In five years, Day has grown OVS from a local program in Dublin, Ga. into a regional initiative that has served more than 4,000 veterans and engaged more than 6,500 volunteers nationwide to hand-deliver custom care packages, notes of encouragement and musical therapy to veteran patients.

“I got the idea to start Operation: Veteran Smiles when I joined my dad on his appointment at a veteran’s hospital in 2012,” said Day. “During that visit, I saw that many veterans live far away from where they receive treatment, meaning that their family and friends are often unable to visit regularly. I realized that without regular visits and support from loved ones, many veteran patients feel isolated and even lack access to basic toiletries and comforts that family members would normally supply.”

Day will receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education and will serve as spokesperson for 4-H Civic Engagement programming. She will be officially recognized as the 2017 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Winner for Civic Engagement, sponsored by U.S. Cellular, at the National 4-H Council Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

“We’re proud to support the National 4-H Council’s Civic Engagement pillar and to support the work Amelia does for our veterans,” said Grant Leech, vice president of brand management at U.S. Cellular. “She is a remarkable young adult and her efforts have been exemplary throughout the communities she’s impacted.”

Headshot-YIA-Press-Release-Amelia-Day-Final-2017

Day is joined in her role as a 2017 4-H Youth In Action Pillar Winner by Samuel Sugarman, California 4-H’er and Agriculture pillar winner; Ava Lonneman, Ohio 4-H’er and STEM pillar winner; and Bryanne Sanchez, California 4-H’er and Healthy Living pillar winner.

The 4-H Youth In Action Awards, sponsored in part by U.S. Cellular, began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. This award highlights youth in each of our core areas of Agriculture, Civic Engagement, Healthy Living and STEM. These four pillars represent the fields in which 4-H youth excel on a national level and align with the mission mandates of National 4-H Council.

To learn more about Youth In Action or to see the other pillar winners from around the country, please visit Youth in Action.

To schedule an interview contact: April Baggs, GA 4-H State Educator April4h@uga.edu 478-987-2028. OR, Arch Smith, asmith@uga.edu 706-542-4444.

About 4-H

As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In the U.S., 4-H serves every county and parish through our network of 110 universities and more than 3,000 local 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. 4-H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations and professional associations. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Learn more about 4-H at 4-h.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4-H.

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier offers coverage where the other carriers don’t and a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. U.S. Cellular has the Highest Wireless Network Quality Performance in the North Central Region, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, and 99 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com.

To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.

Chevy Chase, MD (January 9, 2017) – National 4‑H Council has announced the re-election of a new Trustee to its Board of Trustees, which comes as the Board strives to engage alumni, increase investment in 4‑H and reach millions more young people with a 4‑H experience.

Ken Hicks brings extensive business expertise to his role with 4‑H, having been a leader in the retail industry for over 30 years until his retirement as Foot Locker, Inc.’s Executive Chairman in May 2015. Prior to this role, Mr. Hicks served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foot Locker, Inc. for five years.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Hicks’ passion for merchandising and marketing was evident during his time at Payless ShoeSource, where his role as President saw him overseeing all elements of merchandising, marketing, product distribution, direct product development and sourcing for 4,900 stores in seven countries. He then spent seven years at J.C. Penney Company, Inc., which he joined in 2002 as Chief Operating Officer for all of J.C. Penney’s stores and became President in 2005 overseeing all merchandising and marketing. During this time, in 2006, Mr. Hicks was first elected to serve on Council’s Board of Trustees.

“I’m excited to re-join 4‑H and support the continued expansion of 4‑H in all communities throughout America,” said newly elected Trustee Ken Hicks. “4‑H helps instill a sense of responsibility, courage and leadership in young people. In order to succeed and prosper as a nation, we need to have young people who have the skills and desire to grow and develop. 4‑H can help serve that need.”

This local and international experience, combined with Mr. Hicks’ learnings from his earlier roles as executive vice president and general merchandise manager for the Home Shopping Network, numerous senior executive roles at May Department Stores Co. and as senior engagement manager for McKinsey and Company, will assist National 4‑H Council’s Board of Trustees with its vision of growing 4‑H in partnership with America’s Cooperative Extension and land-grant university system and USDA. In addition, Mr. Hicks’ unique skill set will support the brand development of 4‑H nationwide.

Prior to entering the business world, Mr. Hicks graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of captain. Upon leaving the Army, he earned an MBA with highest distinction from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Hicks currently serves on the board of Avery Dennison Corporation and the advisory board of The NPD Group, and is a former member of the board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association and Board of Trustees of the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Mr. Hicks joins a diverse board made up of corporate executives, leaders from the nation’s land-grant universities, Cooperative Extension System and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as 4 H alumni and youth leaders.

About 4‑H

As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4‑H grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4‑H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. In the U.S., 4‑H serves every county and parish through our network of 110 universities and more than 3,000 local 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. 4‑H is led by a unique private-public partnership of universities, federal and local government agencies, foundations and professional associations. National 4‑H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4‑H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Learn more about 4‑H at www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4‑H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 12, 2016 – Leaders of National 4-H Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation today announced a newly established partnership during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two groups.

Recognizing the need to support agricultural education and highlight the impact ag plays in our daily lives, National 4-H Council and AFBF aim to ignite the desire of young people to embrace agriculture, cultivate innovation and empower them with opportunities to improve the world around them. Through collaboration on thought leadership and ag literacy initiatives, both organizations are committed to better link young people to agriculture of today and tomorrow.

“For more than a century, 4-H has provided young people with opportunities to spark and grow their interests in agriculture, giving them the courage, confidence and resilience to lead,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “National 4-H Council is proud and excited to join forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to help empower and develop young people with the workforce skills necessary to pursue careers in the agriculture industry.”

The Council-AFBF partnership will formally kick off in 2017.

“Farm Bureau has a long history of investing in young people with a demonstrated interest in not only farming and ranching but also agri-business and food-related careers,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’re pleased to build on our tradition of supporting youth in agriculture through this formal collaboration with National 4-H Council.”

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 career 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, find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/4-H and on Twitter at HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/4-H.

Contacts

National 4-H Council Dvon Holland, Director, Integrated Marketing, 301-385-0430

About the American Farm Bureau Federation

With family members at the county or parish level in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, the American Farm Bureau Federation is the unified national “Voice of Agriculture,” working to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities. AFBF is the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots organization of farm and ranch families. Follow AFBF on Twitter (@FarmBureau) and Facebook.

Chevy Chase, MD, (November 15, 2016) – The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has awarded a $7 million grant to National 4-H Council in support of the 4-H National Mentoring Program. The grant comes as a part of the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s national effort to strengthen, expand and implement youth mentoring activities to improve the lives of millions of at-risk and underserved young Americans.

This generous grant will provide funding to facilitate 4-H mentoring programs in nearly every state to keep kids safe, improve academic outcomes and prevent youth delinquency. These programs, led by Cooperative Extension and its network of 100 colleges and universities, were developed in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Children, Youth and Families at Risk Program which sparks innovation in community-based educational programs for children, youth, parents and families.

According to The Mentoring Effect: Young People’s Perspective on the Outcomes and Availability of Mentoring, 76 percent of at-risk young adults who had a mentor aspire to enroll in and graduate from college versus half of at-risk young adults who had not had a mentor.1

“With the support of caring adult mentors, 4-H provides the guidance, tools and encouragement young people need to be prepared, confident and ready to tackle the challenges facing their communities, their families, and our nation,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president & CEO, National 4-H Council. “This significant grant will allow 4-H program staff the opportunity to replicate proven 4-H mentoring programs that are producing positive outcomes in underrepresented communities across the country including reduced school drop-out rates and strengthened family relationships.”
As of 2015, the 4-H National Mentoring Program has served over 40,000 youth, resulting in significant outcomes in areas such as family relationships, perceptions of social support, and social competence.

__________________________________
1 Civic Enterprises/Hart Research Associates, 2014

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 career 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 www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4-H.

Contacts

National 4-H Council Dvon Holland, Director, Integrated Marketing, 301-385-0430

Grant expands Youth Voice: Youth Choice to 32 states and will fund programming focused on improving health of under-served youth and their families.

Chevy Chase, Maryland – October 20, 2016 – National 4-H Council announced it has been awarded a grant from the Walmart Foundation for $2,500,000 to deliver 4-H Healthy Living experiences under the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program.

The 2016-2017 grant expands Youth Voice: Youth Choice programming from 26 to 32 states and will reach more than 134,000 under-served youth and their families, encouraging them to take action to improve dietary choices, increase physical fitness and share information regarding locally available healthy living resources. The grant includes targeted outreach to Hispanic and African American youth and this year will expand culturally relevant programs to Native American youth.

“Collaboration and dedication are key to making a positive impact on the issue of hunger in under-served communities across the U.S.,” stated Carol May, Program Manager for the Walmart Foundation. “The Walmart Foundation is proud to support National 4-H as they expand their programming to address nutrition education gaps for youth in America.”

The program provides grants to state-level 4-H programs and focuses on developing and enhancing healthy living programs at the community level. The goal is to teach youth about healthy living practices and to mobilize youth to implement action plans for nutrition, physical fitness and safety in their communities. The program utilizes the 4-H ‘Teens as Teachers’ model to allow teens to be trained as teachers and to mentor younger participants, providing them with valuable leadership skills they can use for a lifetime.

“4-H National Council is thrilled to once again be moving forward with the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program with generous support from the Walmart Foundation,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “The activation of the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program not only empowers youth and their families with quality healthy living educational opportunities but also mobilizes teens to help improve the lives of their families and their communities.”

The grant is part of the Walmart Foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthen communities by committing to provide nutrition education to four million people by 2020.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. We have stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit WWW.FOUNDATION.WALMART.COM.

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 career 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 www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/4‑H and on Twitter at HTTPS://TWITTER.COM/4H.

Contacts

National 4‑H Council Dvon Holland, Director, Integrated Marketing, 301-385-0430

4‑H and Disney Conservation Fund collaborate for third year to promote first-hand conservation experiences through Connecting Youth to Nature (4‑H CYN) program.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. (September 9, 2016) — Kids are spending less time outdoors today. In fact, a new study estimates that the average child spends less than an hour outdoors each day. To combat this trend, National 4‑H Council will engage more than 10,000 urban youth to increase the time kids spend in nature through the 4‑H Connecting Youth to Nature (4‑H CYN) program. Disney Conservation Fund has supported 4‑H CYN for the past three years to bring youth into nature through programming that introduces them to local ecosystems and hands-on experiences. Connecting Youth to Nature also helps children develop a lasting interest in protecting and caring for the environment.

“Spending time in nature is one of the most important things a child can do,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of National 4‑H Council. “If you look at how nature affects young people, it really is miraculous: it can reduce obesity, alleviate stress and anxiety, boost creativity and cognition— and the list goes on. The beauty of 4‑H Connecting Youth to Nature is that it not only allows underserved youth to experience the wonders and benefits of nature first-hand, it prepares these youth to be good stewards of the environment as adults. It starts kids down a path where they learn to appreciate, understand and ultimately protect the environment.”

With immersive environmental activities that range from growing butterflies to testing water quality, the 4‑H CYN program will engage youth in urban communities across eight states where they will learn fun ways to protect and preserve the planet. Participating youth in California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas will engage in hands-on experiences through 4‑H afterschool clubs and summer camps.

Last year, the 4‑H CYN program exceeded its goals by exposing more than 13,000 youth, families and volunteers to the joys of nature and the outdoors. Through camps, field trips, afterschool programs, in-school projects, and teen-led enrichment programs, urban youth spent more than 100,000 hours in nature over the course of 10 months. As a result of the program, 90 percent of participating youth said they felt good when they are outdoors, 88 percent said they care more about the environment, and 78 percent said they feel it’s their responsibility to protect nature.

4‑H Connecting Youth to Nature ties into the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time initiative, which launched in April 2016 in honor of the fund’s 20th anniversary. The effort build on DCF’s conservation work over the last two decades and brings focus to two specific impact areas: 1) reversing the decline of 10 endangered animals and 2) increasing the time kids spend in nature to inspire them to care for the planet.

About Disney Conservation Fund

Established on Earth Day in 1995, DCF helps to protect the planet and connect kids with nature. Supported by Disney and guest purchases and contributions at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, DCF has proudly contributed $40 million in grants to nonprofit organizations working in 115 countries. For more information visit www.disney.com/conservation.

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 career 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 3,000 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 www.4‑H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4‑H and Twitter at www.twitter.com/4H.