In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influences to improve the world around us. We are America's largest youth development organization–empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. and 140,000 across Nebraska with the skills to lead for a lifetime.
Ready . . . or Not?
Our nation's youth are at risk.
It's evident from declining test scores, plummeting mental health, and rising levels of hopelessness that America's largest generation urgently needs help. They are growing up in tumultous times that are steeped in uncertainty, division, and disconnection. Many of them haven't had the chance to learn and practice foundational life skills. Their future has become a moving target, and they're longing for a clear path ahead; for a reason to believe it's all going to turn out okay.
Youth are growing and emerging into adulthood during an ever-changing, uncertain, complex and ambiguous time. Youth need developmentally appropriate opportunities to prepare them to navigate their futures.
As the world changes rapidly, young people are bearing the brunt of the unexpected and the unknown. But 4-H has a time-tested solution. Decades of youth development research shows that kids need to be ready at every milestone to succeed in the next. And, if they're simply not ready? This has implications for every aspect of their future -- from family life and community involvement to college and career prospects. Our country's future depends on a talent pipeline to solve society's greatest challenges. And our youth depend on us to equip them.
There's still time to turn things around. As the nation's largest youth organization, 4-H has a powerful solution to ensure young people are beyond ready for whatever comes next.
The 4-H Solution
4-H has been around since 1902; so, we've seen a thing or two.
4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension–a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. Youth complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and citizenship, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country.
The Nebraska 4-H Mission is:
To provide Nebraska youth with positive youth development opportunities that prepare them to become healthy, capable, and ready to engage in school, work, and life.
With our scientifically-proven approach to youth development and an unparallelled national network, 4-H is the only youth organization that can tackle this massive challenge. K-12 schools can't do this alone. Our 4-H educators teach youth the skills that traditional classrooms can't always guarantee, like resilience, confidence, adaptability, leadership, and lifelong personal growth. We empower young people to conquer life's obstacles. Our volunteers instill hope, tenacity, and positive identity in a generation that is struggling to find belonging and purpose. Our programs offer a place to learn where it's fun to try, okay to fail, and easy to grow.
Our 6 million 4-H'ers are living proof that a Ready Generation is possible.
The Ways of Participating in 4-H
In Nebraska, youth, ages 5-18, participate in 4-H through:
- Afterschool - Afterschool programs meet between 3-6 PM to offer youth a safe, fun, and educational experience through hands-on activities and 4-H curriculum. Enrollment is not required unless the afterschool program is also an official 4-H club. 50,000 youth in Nebraska participate in 4-H afterschool programs each year.
- Camps - 4-H overnight and day camps offer recreational, educational, and even career exploration opportunities. Enrollment is not required for participation. 10,000 youth in Nebraska participate in 4-H camp programs each year.
- Clubs - 4-H clubs are an organized group that meets regularly to focus on a series of educational experiences. Official enrollment is required. 25,000 youth in Nebraska participate in 4-H club programs each year.
- School Enrichment - School enrichment programs offer non-formal, hands-on educational experiences in classrooms in support of the school curriculum. Enrollment is not required. 80,000 youth in Nebraska participate in 4-H school enrichment programs each year.
- Special Interest Programs - Special interest programs include short-term experiences, such as workshops or clinics, as well as experiences focused on a single topic or interest. Special interest programs are not part of a school enrichment curriculum and are not restricted to 4-H members. 80,000 youth in Nebraska participate in 4-H special interest programs each year.
- Virtual - Virtual programs include short-term, web-based experiences where youth access educational learning experiences on their own time, or participate in opportunities that occur at the same time but not in the same place. These experiences focus on a single topic or interest and are designed for individual, self-paced learning, or for groups of youth meeting for specific learning experiences that involve direct teaching by Extension staff or trained volunteers, including teachers. These programs are not restricted to 4-H club members and are open to all youth.
Additionally, youth may enroll in 4-H as:
- Clover Kids - Clover Kids are youth between the ages of 5 and 7. Clover Kids may participate in 4-H through a variety of delivery modes, such as clubs and camps. As an enrolled member, Clover Kids may also exhibit at county fairs.
- Independent Members - Youth who choose not to be involved in a formal 4-H club may still join 4-H as independent members. These youth have the opportunity to participate in their county fair, the Nebraska State Fair, and additional statewide events and events.
The 4-H Educational Focus Areas
The citizens of Nebraska help shape the program priorities which build the framework for the Nebraska 4-H program:
The 4-H Organizational Structure
Nebraska 4-H is delivered primarily on a local level by county-based Extension faculty and staff. County 4-H programs are supported, in part, by county commissioners and their communities in delivering educational youth programs. Statewide, Nebraska 4-H sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, a division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, commonly referred to as IANR. Nationally, 4-H is part of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the United State Department of Agriculture, or USDA. Additionally, the Nebraska 4-H Foundation works closely with Nebraska 4-H through fund generation efforts.
The 4-H Educational Philosophy
Nebraska 4-H prepares young people for successful futures. Educational programs place a strong emphasis on life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, social skills, communication, responsibility, citizenship, and leadership. These skills are fostered through educational programming based on an experiential learning model. This gives youth the opportunity to participate in hands-on learning experiences built around the concept of positive youth development, which is centered on structured out-of-school time learning, leadership experiences, and adult mentoring. View the video below to learn more about positive youth development in Nebraska 4-H.
The Impact of 4-H
Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country–through in-school and afterschool programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps. These 4-H experiences grow young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthy decisions, and two times more likely to pursue STEM opportunities outside of school.
4-H'ers have risen to high points of achievement and leadership in virtually every industry and sector. Including such "true leaders" as Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Nettles; Facebook executive and "News Feed" inventor Andrew Bosworth; former U.S. vice president Al Gore; tech guru and founder of Aspera Software Michelle Munson; business leader and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Javier Palomarez; retired NBA play and business entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson; and former NASA Chief Astronaut Peggy Whitson, to name a few.
Explore Research & Impact Results
To learn more about 4-H in your community or to get involved, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.