Update from National 4H HQ

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Update from National 4-H HQ

• Cathann A. Kress
• Director, Youth Development
• National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA

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The Dreams of 4-H
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• In 1900, Liberty Hyde
• Bailey dreamed of a
• world in which learning
• about the world we
• live in was valued and
• that learning extended
• beyond the classroom
• walls.

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• In 1901, Will B. Otwell
• dreamed that young
• people could change
• the world through their
• eagerness to try
• something new and
• inspire others.

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• In 1902, A.B. Graham and
• O.J.Kern shared a dream
• that young people could
• become excited about
• practical science which
• would allow them to better
• understand their world and
• to dignify the lives of
• the common people.

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• In 1907, Jesse Fields had a dream that
• youth should matter to their families,
• their communities and to our nation

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1902-1907The Years of the Valiant Pioneers

• Our pioneers dreamed of a nation that did not
  neglect its children
• They dreamed of communities in which building
  youth character was not done through the three
  Rs but by three Hs head, heart and hand--
  making youth fit for self-government,
  self-control, self-help
• They dreamed of fostering youth to become living,
  thinking beings or as they called it
  contributing citizens of character.

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• In 1909, O.H. Benson boldly changed schools to
  meet the everyday needs of the people in his
  community and when children welcomed him with the
  symbol of good luck, he struck on the image that
  has become our 4-H emblem.

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• In 1910, Gertrude Warren dreamed that youth could
  be engaged in more than just activities- but
  should be encouraged in programs which would
  inspire them to be lifelong learners of science,
  of beauty, and of service.

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Keepers of the Dream

• What do you dream?
• For young people?
• For 4-H?

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What is 4-H?
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What is 4-H?

• Programmatic outreach of the Land Grant
  University through CES to our youngest citizens
  in their communities.
• The Land Grant Idea taken to youth.

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The Land Grant Idea

• The Land Grant vision was of an institution that
  could
• be a training ground for democratic life and
  civic practice
• quickly move knowledge from the laboratory to
  the community.

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What is the Land Grant Idea?

• A set of beliefs about the Universitys social
  role-
• Educating and training the professional cadres of
  an industrial, increasingly urban, society
• Providing broad access to higher education,
  irrespective of wealth or social status
• Working to improve the welfare and social status
  of the largest and most disadvantaged groups in
  society.

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Approaches to 4-H Youth Development
Focus Skills Knowledge
Focus Developmental Needs
Target Individual Learners
Target Opportunities for Youth
Goal Competency in knowledge or skill
Goal Maturity
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Approaches to 4-H Youth Development
CONTENT
Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity
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Approaches to 4-H Youth Development
CONTENT
Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity
School Enrichment
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Youth Development Opportunities

• Opportunities to feel and believe that they are
  cared about by others
• (Attachment, Belonging, Connection)
• Opportunities to feel and believe they are
  capable and successful
• (Achievement, Mastery, Competence)
• Opportunities to know they are able to influence
  people and events
• (Autonomy, Power, Confidence)
• Opportunities to practice helping others through
  their own generosity
• (Altruism, Purpose, Contribution)

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Some things cannot be taught, but must be
experienced.

• Learning by Doing - Children and youth learn best
  when they can do Experiential Education
• Leading by Example Youth are early adopters and
  will change their communities.

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The Good News in 4-H

• More clearly articulating What is 4-H?
• Essential Elements
• Youth Development Research Base
• Belonging, Mastery, Independence, Generosity
• Mission Areas
• CES and LGU Knowledge Base
• Science, Engineering, Technology Healthy
  Lifestyles and Citizenship

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The Good News

• Increased visibility for 4-H
• Across youth development field
• Across other federal agencies

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Important Tasks

• Effectively and efficiently function as a system
• Build the unique character of 4-H and strengthen
  its identity and
• Strengthen the value relationship between 4-H and
  the Land Grant University

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Is it worth it?

• Three Foundations of the Land Grant Idea
• On Learning
• On Discovery
• On Service
• The common factor of all three is that the most
  vital thing in our lives is connecting with
  others.
• -Dennis Kirschbaum, Director of Operations for
  Hillel

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4-H connects our youngest citizens to their past
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their present
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their future
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I pledge

• My head to clearer thinking,
• My heart to greater loyalty,
• My hands to larger service and
• My health to better living,
• for my Club, my Community, my Country and my
  World.