4-H Today
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Increasing Investment in Rural Communities
Young people have a vision for their future that takes root in their community. The homegrown experiences and hometown connections, many of which originate in rural communities, drive their personal and career growth journey. But far too often, those rural communities are forgotten, resulting in a lack of resources for basic, yet essential, needs like education, career opportunities, and healthcare.
How Do You Become an Astronaut? Astronaut Peggy Whitson on Her Journey to Space
Dr. Peggy Whitson has spent more time in space than any other American. She is the first woman to command the International Space Station, the first non-military Chief of the Astronaut Corps, and has completed 10 spacewalks – the most of any female astronaut.
4-H Teens Drive Digital Inclusion in Under-Resourced Communities by Teaching Digital Employability Skills to Over 50,000 Adults
National 4-H Council is announcing a vast expansion of its 4-H Tech Changemakers program supported by Verizon, Microsoft, Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Tractor Supply Company. Established in 2017 with support from Microsoft, 4-H Tech Changemakers trains and equips teens to teach adults digital employability skills that include online job seeking, social media marketing, software use, and more.
Honoring Differences + Eliminating Barriers = Creating Opportunities
The need for access, equity and belonging remains critical, as we continue to bear witness to the devastating effects of discrimination and injustice on our communities. As the chairs of the 4-H Program Leaders Working Group, Access, Equity and Belonging Committee (AEBC), we believe that the Cooperative Extension System is ideally placed to advance the important work of ensuring access, equity and belonging amongst our youth.
The 4-H Military Partnership: Providing Stability in an Unstable World
Young people are resilient. However, there are moments that we all face that can sometimes turn our world upside down. This was the case for Ben, who was faced with uncertain circumstances when his father was deployed to Iraq—a challenge many military families face. Thankfully, 4-H offered Ben and his family the support they needed during a difficult time.
Got PPE? This 4-H Club Created 3D-Printed Face Shields for First Responders During the Pandemic
As life came to a grinding halt and health officials called on the public’s help to flatten the curve, nearly all group, in-person activities were cancelled due to social distancing. For a 4-H teen robotics team in Elgin, Ill., that meant a competition season lost, but also an opportunity to help their community.
A Long and Winding Road Back to Ag
National Agriculture Day is March 23 here in the U.S., and it has me thinking about the long, unlikely road that led me to agriculture and the importance it plays to the future of my own family and this bigger global community I’m a part of. Despite my role today and the great pride I have in my work, the truth is, I didn’t think agriculture was for me.
Youth Voices: A Passion for Agriculture at Home
Although I’ve grown up on a farm my whole life, I didn’t come from a 4-H family. In fact, it wasn’t until I was in third grade that I even began to understand what 4-H was. Some family friends encouraged me to get involved with some of the programming that 4-H has to offer, and after talking to them, I knew I wanted to get involved.
Expert Series: How the Invisalign® Brand is Empowering ChangeMakers
Jennifer SIrangelo, President & CEO National 4-H Council, caught up with Kamal Bhandal, VP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing for Align Technology, to talk more about the Invisalign® ChangeMakers Initiative and how the mother of two is inspiring her children to be a positive influence in their community.
Creating Opportunities in Global Ag Innovation
Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Jehiel Oliver, an Ohio 4-H alumnus who is leading ag innovation on a global scale. He is the founder and CEO of Hello Tractor, an agricultural technology company that connects tractor owners with smallholder farmers in need of tractor services. Under his leadership, Hello Tractor serves more than 500,000 small farmers in Africa with access to over 3,000 tractor owners.
Creating Opportunities through a Passion for Agriculture
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Avery Williamson has quite an impressive NFL career that spans seven years. What’s also inspiring is his love of farming. The fourth-generation farmer and Tennessee 4-H alumnus has a passion for agriculture, and he’s paying it forward to the next generation of diverse farmers.
Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation of Farmers
Young leaders in every industry are using their voices and stories to create a legacy of success and inspire the next generation. Kyle Bridgeforth—partner at the fifth-generation Bridgeforth Farms—is lending his voice and passion to the advancement of diversity in agriculture.