Media Room

4‑H Receives $3 Million Grant from the Walmart Foundation to Improve Health Equity in Communities Across the Country

The Walmart Foundation awarded a $3 million grant to National 4‑H Council to help reach more than 269,000 youth, families, 4‑H professionals and volunteers across the country with essential nutrition education through the 4‑H Healthy Habits program. The program focuses on rural and underserved communities to leverage youth – and their voices – as catalysts to build healthier lifestyles with education and activities in nutrition, wellness, cooking skills, physical activity and budgeting.

National 4‑H Council Awarded $3 Million to Support 4‑H at Home

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) announced last week an investment of more than $10.5 million to support educators at technical schools, community and junior colleges, and youth development programs, including Cooperative Extension’s 4‑H program. USDA-NIFA will invest in eight regional and national projects, including a $3 million grant to National 4‑H Council to support the continued development of 4‑H at Home, Cooperative Extension’s positive youth development digital platform on 4‑H.org.

National 4‑H Council President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo Wins Gold Stevie® Award in 2020 Stevie Awards for Women in Business

Jennifer Sirangelo has been named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Female Executive of the Year category in the 17th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

300,000 Young People Explore STEM Through a "Mission to Mars" in the 2020 4‑H STEM Challenge

Throughout the month of October, youth from across the country will apply their knowledge, creativity, and innovation in learning about STEM topics during the 13th annual 4‑H STEM Challenge. Formerly known as 4‑H National Youth Science Day, this year’s STEM Challenge, Mars Base Camp, will explore the theme of sending humans on a mission to Mars.

Celebrity Chef Carla Hall and University Chancellor Dr. Robert Jones Elected to National 4‑H Council Board of Trustees

National 4‑H Council has announced the election of two new Trustees to its Board, Carla Hall and Dr. Robert Jones. Both Trustees and 4‑H alums share a deep passion for diversity in agriculture and food equity, and will further support the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Leading Executives from YouTube and Pet Retail Brands Elected to National 4‑H Council Board of Trustees

National 4‑H Council has announced the election of two new Trustees to its Board – Danielle Tiedt, Chief Marketing Officer, YouTube and Richard Maltsbarger, President and CEO, Pet Retail Brands.

Bayer, Nutrien Executives Elected to National 4‑H Council Board of Trustees

National 4‑H Council announced the election of two new Trustees to its Board, Lisa Safarian, Bayer and Kaye Reitzenstein, Nutrien Ag Solutions. These appointments bring the board to 52 percent female representation, a reflection of the gender dynamics of 4‑H youth served and a critical milestone for the board as it looks for members to provide diverse expertise and perspectives. Both Trustees bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in the agriculture industry and will be integral in supporting Cooperative Extension’s goal of growing 4‑H to reach 10 million young people by 2025.

4‑H Identifies Best Practices to Engage Diverse Youth Populations with Health Programming

National 4‑H Council, in partnership with the University of Arizona, announces the release of a special report highlighting key learnings of youth-focused healthy living programming through its 4‑H Healthy Habits program. Administered by land-grant universities across the country, and funded through grants from the Walmart Foundation, 4‑H Healthy Habits offers promising practices to build inclusive environments for a diverse array of youth, their families and communities.

National 4‑H Council and Lockheed Martin Grow Partnership to Expand Access to Computer Science Education

National 4‑H Council today announced a $500,000 grant from Lockheed Martin to bring computer science (CS) education to underserved youth in five communities where Lockheed Martin has a significant presence: Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; King of Prussia, PA; Moorestown, NJ and the San Francisco Bay Area, CA.

4‑H Names Clyde Van Dyke as the 2019 4‑H Youth in Action National Winner

National 4‑H Council announced that Clyde Van Dyke, 18, of Johnson City, NY, was selected as the national winner of the 2019 4‑H Youth in Action Award. Van Dyke, who also won the 4‑H Youth in Action STEM Pillar Award sponsored by HughesNet®, was honored at National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C., among notable 4‑H alumni including singer and songwriter Jennifer Nettles and celebrity chef Carla Hall.

Study of Rural Communities Whose Youth are Thriving Reveals Six Common Factors that May Drive Upward Mobility

A study published today illuminates factors that may support upward social mobility in rural America—the possibility that children will grow up to earn more than their parents. The “Social Mobility in Rural America: Insights from Communities Whose Young People Are Climbing the Income Ladder,” a field report from National 4‑H Council and The Bridgespan Group, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, provides ideas and guiding questions that other communities might build upon, as they work to expand economic opportunity for their young people.

The CHS Foundation Helps Grow Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders

The CHS Foundation recently partnered with National 4‑H Council as a sponsor of the 2019 National Youth Summit on Agri-Science. The Summit, held at the National 4‑H Center outside of Washington, D.C., brings together hundreds of the best and brightest high school students to develop their skills and knowledge to address today’s most pressing agricultural challenges.

4‑H and New York Life Foundation Inspire More Latino Youth to Pursue Higher Education

National 4‑H Council recently received a three year, $1.5 million grant from the New York Life Foundation to enable more Latino students to successfully transition from middle school to high school, graduate on time and pursue a college education. The grant will provide continued support to the Juntos 4‑H program launched in 2015 while expanding the program to new markets in California and Illinois.

4‑H Names Cassandra Ivie as the 2018 National 4‑H Youth in Action Winner

Cassandra Ivie, 17, of West Jordan, Utah, was selected as the national winner of the 2018 National Youth In Action Award. Ivie who also won the Youth in Action STEM Pillar Award, was honored at National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. As the national Youth in Action winner, Ivie will receive $10,000 in scholarships for higher education.

Prominent Leaders/4‑H Alums Elected to National 4‑H Council Board

Two new Trustees have joined the National 4‑H Council Board, bringing with them a wealth of experience from a diverse range of industries, including education, government, agriculture and business.

Dr. Juliette Bell, who leads the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as its president, is known as an educator who encourages her students to pursue careers in STEM. In addition, Krysta Harden joins the board having served in various leadership roles, including previously at the United States Department of Agriculture with a focus on conservation and sustainability as well as expanding opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and emboldening rural communities with the resources they need to thrive.

4‑H and JOANN Stores Partner to Inspire Creativity, Support Learning and Grow Local Programs

National 4‑H Council and JOANN Stores today announced a partnership that will help more kids learn by doing, creating and making. Through a combination of material donations, member discounts, special programs and in-store giving, current and future 4‑H members across the U.S. will benefit from the collaboration.

Win a Trip to Washington D.C. with Bayer and National 4‑H Council

Youth ages 14-18 are invited to enter the “Why Science Matters to Me” photo contest to win a trip to the National Youth Summit on Agri-Science.

4‑H, Bayer to Grow Tomorrow's Science Leaders

Nationwide partnership will fuel passion for science among young people and cultivate the next generation of innovators shaping agriculture, food and health.

4‑H and Google Team Up to Bring Computer Science Education to Kids

A $1.5 million grant from Google.org and co-authored skills playbook will help 4‑H deliver computer science to new communities, reaching 100,000 youth in year one.

National 4‑H Council and Subway® Launch “4‑H Sundays at Subway®” to Promote Healthy Living

Every year, 4‑Hers’s across the country lead community programs to promote the importance of eating well and being physically active. This summer, participating Subway® restaurants are partnering with 4‑H to bring more resources for local Healthy Living programming with 4‑H Sundays at Subway®.

4‑H Invites Students to Explore Wearable Technology

Wearable technology has been improving our lives for centuries, starting with such enduring inventions as eyeglasses and watches. As new wearable technology innovations capture the world’s attention, 4‑H – America’s largest youth development organization – is engaging young people to explore the field of wearable technology.

Students Learn About Soil Health in the 2017 4‑H Ag Innovators Experience

Students from five states across the Midwest are set to take on the Healthy Soils Carbon Soil Investigation Challenge as part of the 2017 4‑H Ag Innovators Experience (4‑H AIE) activity.

4‑H Names Amelia Day as the 2017 National 4‑H Youth in Action Winner

National 4‑H Council today announced that Amelia Day, 18, of Fort Valley, Ga., was selected as the national winner of the 2017 Youth in Action Award. Day, who also won the Youth in Action Civic Engagement Pillar Award, was honored at National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. As the national Youth in Action winner, Day will receive $10,000 in scholarships for higher education.

Ohio's Ava Lonneman Selected as 4‑H Youth In Action Winner for STEM

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).

Georgia's Amelia Day Selected as 4‑H Youth In Action Award Winner for Civic Engagement

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.

California’s Samuel Sugarman Selected as Nationwide 4‑H Youth In Action Award Winner for Agriculture

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.

California’s Bryanne Sanchez Selected as Nationwide 4‑H Youth In Action Award Winner for Healthy Living

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.

Distinguished Retail Industry Leader Re-elected to National 4‑H Council Board of Trustees

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.

National 4‑H Council, American Farm Bureau Federation Establish Partnership to Promote Agriculture Education and Connect Young People to Careers of Tomorrow

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.

National 4‑H Council Awarded $7 Million to Support 4‑H National Mentoring Program

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.

Walmart Foundation Lends Support to National 4‑H Council

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.

National 4‑H Council and Disney Conservation Fund Inspire 10,000 Urban Youth to Become Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

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.

National 4‑H Council Awarded Youth Wellness Grant by Target

National 4‑H Council announced it has been awarded a grant from Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) for $100,000 as part of Target’s ongoing youth wellness efforts. The grant will engage more than 750 youth and their family members in the greater Chicago area in the 4‑H Food Smart Families program.

Youth to Explore Drones in World's Largest Youth-Led Engineering Design Challenge

Drones are revolutionizing the way we work and play, whether you are a filmmaker looking for the perfect aerial shot, a rescue worker mapping damage from natural disaster or a farmer determining how to increase crop yield. As drones play an increasingly important role in the world around us, 4‑H National Youth Science Day (4‑H NYSD) 2016 introduces youth to the burgeoning field of drones in a hands-on, interactive design challenge.

Survey shows American youth feel today's leaders have a different agenda: they lack skills to lead themselves

As the presidential election hoists leadership to the forefront of national dialogue, a new survey asks America’s youth to weigh in on the topic – finding that today’s leaders are believed to have their own agendas and demonstrate weak leadership. Additionally, young people would like better preparation as leaders.

Kids Celebrate Motion Commotion for World's Largest Youth-Led Science Experiment

Hundreds of thousands of youth across the United States, and some globally, are conducting the world’s largest, youth-led science experiment as part of 4‑H National Youth Science Day (4‑H NYSD) which launched today in communities across the nation.

Filling the STEM Pipeline: National 4‑H Council and Lockheed Martin to Prepare More Diverse Youth for STEM Careers

National 4‑H Council and Lockheed Martin announced today the launch of a new national program, STEM Futures, to inspire more American youth to discover and explore career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The three year, $3 million commitment will build a STEM pipeline of future scientists, engineers and community science professionals who will become the next generation of leaders at work and in their communities.