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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.