Program areas at National 4-H Council
Educational programs: in 4-h, we believe in creating opportunity for all young people so they are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in life and career. When young people are empowered to pursue their passions, their unique skills grow and take shape, helping them drive positive change in their lives, careers and communities. 4-H started more than a century ago with the intention of driving economic opportunity through youth innovation. As the largest youth development organization serving every u.s. county and territory, 4-H is delivered by 100+ land-grant universities and more than half a million caring adult mentors. 4-H applies university research to positive youth development programs (pyd) in workforce development, health equity, civic engagement, food & agriculture. Access to programs and relationships of 4-H pyd create a proven pathway to wellbeing, employability, and increased opportunity for 6 million youth. Independent research proves the unparalleled impact of the 4-H pyd model. 4-h'ers are four times more likely than peers to be civically engaged, two times more likely to make healthy choices and lower risk behaviors, and two times more likely than peers to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (stem) college majors and careers. National 4-H Council exists to support the cooperative extension system's 4-H program through three unique roles: (1) convene the 4-H movement to stimulate collective action on the most pressing issues; (2) tell the 4-H story by leveraging the power of trusted brand partners and alumni; and (3) increase capital to grow 4-H pyd access for all youth. Council highlights for the current fiscal year include: -National mentoring program - in partnership with the office of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention (ojjdp), the 4-H National mentoring program supports initiatives and community programs that provide mentoring services to high-risk populations. The goal is to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other high-risk behaviors through 4-H pyd one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, or peer-mentoring programs. -well-connected communities - in partnership with the robert wood johnson foundation, the well connected communities initiative helps build diverse, multigenerational, cross-sector coalitions that can recognize and address systemic health inequities. By intentionally forging connections, building capacity, and taking action in these communities and across the extension network we can ensure that life-long health and well-being are within everyone's reach. -tech changemakers - National 4-H Council, microsoft, verizon and tractor supply company are working together to close the connectivity gap in rural areas by empowering teens to bring technology and digital skills access to their communities. The 4-H tech changemakers program puts teens at the forefront of creating change in their communities, empowering them to serve as digital ambassadors by equipping them with the tools, resources, and technical partners to help them be successful. -youth voice thought leadership - Council coordinates opportunities to give young people across the nation a forum to put their voices into positive action and rally the nation to invest in the next generation of true leaders. Through the young alumni advisory committee, youth in action program, citizenship Washington focus and programmatic ambassador roles, National 4-H Council has scaled youth voice thought leadership in critical areas of mental health, broadband access, civic engagement and food security. -4-h summit series: the National youth summit series are immersive, three-day experiences where youth dive into the issues, expand your career horizons and grow as a leader while working with and learning from other teens and experts with shared passions. 4-H at home: 4-H at home is a hybrid on and offline platform that supports the frontline educators and families who need us most. This platform provides immersive online and mobile 4-H experiences where the public can access 4-H's research-backed, developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning.
The National 4-H Conference Center closed to guests on March 22, 2020 and did not re-open. The buildings and land were sold on December 16, 2021.
National 4-H supply service: since 1924, 4-H supply has provided high-quality branded products and curriculum to meet the needs of 4-H offices, clubs, and families, alike. Today, 4-H supply takes its customer-friendly approach to new levels, with convenient online shopping and expert advice at shop4-h.org. 4-H members show their pride every day by purchasing items with the 4-H name and emblem. 4-H supply shows the same devotion, providing the best products and the highest level of customer service to keep these dedicated customers coming back, year after year.