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4-H Youth Development Top 5 Frequently asked questions about 4-H Youth Development Program within

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

This resource provides a general overview and introduction to the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information,

marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran. (Not all

prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Ross Wilburn, Diversity Officer, 2150

Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, 515-294-1482,

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Table of Contents

WHAT 3 What is 4-H?

How do we connect within Extension and Outreach?

WHY 4 Why is 4-H important?

WHO 5 Who do we serve?

Who carries out our programs?

HOW 6 How are 4-H programs delivered?

WHERE 7 Where can I find 4-H resources?

How do I handle 4-H questions if I don’t have a 4-H background?

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WHAT?

What is 4-H?

4-H is a community of 6 million young people across the world who are learning to live healthy lives, be

leaders, become engaged in their communities, and use science and technology to make good decisions for

themselves and their communities’ futures. 4-H youth programs provide opportunities for youth to develop

skills they can use now and throughout their life. We want a strong Iowa!

Iowa 4-H builds upon a century of experience as it

fosters positive youth development that is based on

the needs and strengths of youth, their families,

and communities. The 4-H Equation encompasses

the reasons for our work, methods used, and our

mission through program priorities to achieve the

desired outcomes for Iowa’s youth.

Studies indicate that youth whose needs are met in

positive ways are likely to develop into active

citizens and contributing members of their families

and communities. The Iowa 4-H program ensures

every youth will have the opportunity to

participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a

young person’s sense of belonging, generosity,

independence, and mastery. There are

developmentally appropriate educational activities

and programs available for all youth in Iowa

between Kindergarten and 12th grade. 4-H provides short- and long-term learning experiences for youth through

efforts by ISU Extension and Outreach staff, volunteers and partners.

How do we connect within Extension and Outreach?

ISU Extension and Outreach provides education and partnerships designed to solve today’s problems and

prepare for the future. As 4-H, we serve as a 99-county campus, connecting the needs of Iowans with Iowa State

University research and resources.

4-H is one of four program areas within Extension and Outreach. The other program areas are Agriculture and

Natural Resources, Community and Economic Development, and Human Sciences. 4-H serves as a youth

outreach partner for each of our academic colleges at Iowa State University.

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WHY?

Why is 4-H important?

Through our 4-H Youth Development programs, we empower Iowa’s young people to reach their full potential

through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences. Our vision is to prepare youth to be

successful, contributing members of society.

Positive Youth Development (PYD) views young people as vital resources with assets and potentials to be

developed rather than as problems to be managed. Guiding principles of positive youth development programs

include:

All youth have the capacity for positive growth

and development

PYD enables youth to thrive and flourish, and

prepares them for a healthy, happy, and safe

adulthood

PYD involves civic involvement and

engagement- youth contribute through service

learning for their communities

PYD is an investment that communities make

in young people

Youth assets are both acknowledged and

employed through PYD

We aim to address the following three goals for a

strong Iowa:

Reverse the brain drain in rural Iowa by inspiring youth to remain in or return to their communities and

use their skills to shape Iowa’s future

Close the achievement/opportunity gap via motivating youth to develop their capacity for academic

success

Improve college and career readiness through encouraging youth to gain the knowledge and skills they

need for college and career success

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WHO?

Who do we serve?

Iowa 4-H serves Kindergarten through 12th grade in all 99

counties, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or

ethnicity. Kindergarten to 3rd grade youth are involved in

Clover Kids. Grades 4-12 are in 4-H clubs or other learning

community opportunities.

Who carries out our programs?

4-H has campus- and field-based staff, and nearly 10,000

volunteers working together to carry out our 4-H programs.

Iowa is broken up into 6 field teams (West, Central, North,

US Hwy 30, East, and South).

Campus Staff

The campus office houses state 4-H program teams such as Educational Opportunities, Organizational Learning

& Accountability, and Stakeholder & Partnership Development.

Field Staff

Within each field team, there is a Field Supervisor who oversees all field staff, and

maintains quality and consistency of 4-H programing. Youth Program Specialists

ensure fidelity of 4-H positive youth development and provide support to County

Youth Coordinators. County Youth Coordinators manage volunteers, encourage

participation in clubs, and interact with youth.

Volunteers

4-H volunteers provide overall leadership to clubs, learning communities, or group

organizations, overseeing the structure, operation, and serving as the contact for

Extension staff and other 4-H volunteers. They help 4-H members grow and reach

their fullest potential by supporting them to conduct meaningful, educational

experiences.

Project volunteers help members plan and conduct projects. Sometimes project

volunteers assist with clubs or learning communities organized around one project

area and assist youth interested in specific project areas.

Clover Kids volunteers promote positive youth development for children ages K-3

through cooperative learning and developmentally appropriate practices. They provide opportunities for youth

to practice five life skills: self-understanding, social interactions, mastering physical skills, learning to learn,

and decision-making.

4-H judges support learning and growth opportunities for youth through project judging at local county fairs. It

allows adults to share their expertise with 4-H youth by judging projects.

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HOW?

How are 4-H programs delivered?

The Iowa 4-H Program’s four program priorities (content areas)-

Healthy Living

Leadership and Civic Engagement

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,

and Mathematics)

Communication and the Arts

align with Iowa State University, Iowa State

University Extension and Outreach, 4-H National

Headquarters, and statewide initiatives.

It is important to ensure all 4-H delivery modes-

Afterschool Programs

Camps

Schools

Clubs/Learning Communities

Events

are intentionally moving youth and their parents toward sustainable

learning communities (4-H clubs). Iowa considers 4-H Clubs/Learning

Communities as the deepest and most sustainable level of involvement.

The Experiential Learning Model is a tool used to draw on the knowledge

base of 4-H youth. 4-H uses this hands-on learning approach to teach

new topics and life skills. Within the model, youth experience what they

are learning through hands on action, then they reflect upon and process

their experience by describing feelings, emotions, or problems. Finally,

youth can connect learning to real life experiences and apply their learned

knowledge to future situations.

The curriculum catalog offers a list of approved 4-H educational

products. The list can be found through the “Educational Resources” tab

on public 4-H page or by this link

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/product.

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WHERE?

Where can I find 4-H resources?

Information on 4-H can be found through the public 4-H page and MyExtension. Educational Resources,

Volunteer information, and Project Areas are some of the content on the public 4-H page.

MyExtension can be accessed through Iowa State

University Extension and Outreach page by scrolling

to the bottom and clicking on “For Staff”. 4-H

Professional Development, 4-H Risk Management,

and 4-H Volunteer Development are some of the

resources on MyExtension.

The state 4-H office sends weekly news (4-H

FOCUS), via email subscription, with updates on

opportunities, events, grants, forms, and fair

information every Wednesday afternoon.

How do I handle 4-H questions if I don’t have a

4-H background?

Answering questions with little to no 4-H background can be tricky; however, there are resources for this type

of situation. Questions that are most likely include the following topics:

Risk Management- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/4-h-risk-management

How to Join 4-H- https://form.jotform.com/11174808959?

Clubs- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/4hclubs

4-H Project Areas- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/projects-list

Programs- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/program-list

Ways to volunteer- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/waystovolunteer

My Extension (For Staff)- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/

4-H Online- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/4honline-information-families-and-leaders

Public 4-H Page- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/

Local county staff (County Youth Coordinator, Youth Program Specialist) and campus 4-H staff are resources

for questions or referrals if the above links don’t answer the question. Campus 4-H staff contacts can be found

under the “Contact Us” tab on the public 4-H page or by this link, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/people.