# Presentation: 910813

##  Update from National 4-H HQ 

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

## The Dreams of 4-H

## 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.

- Bailey dreamed of a
- world in which ***learning ***
***about the world we ***
***live in was valued*** and
- that learning extended
- beyond the classroom
- walls.

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

- dreamed that young
- people ***could change ***
***the world*** through their
- eagerness to try
- something new and
- inspire others.

## 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”.

- 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”.

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

- youth ***should matter*** to their families,
- their communities and to our nation

## 1902-1907The 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 R’s but by three H’s – 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***.

##    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.

## 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.

## Keepers of the Dream

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

## What is 4-H?

## 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.

## 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.

**Notes:**
Alperovitz & Howard, 2005

## What is the Land Grant Idea?

- A set of beliefs about the University’s *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.

**Notes:**
Bonnen, 1998

## 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

**Notes:**
Over the years, our 4-H Educators have used many approaches in their work with youth.  Understanding these approaches and how they differ is critical in our effectiveness.

Prevention
Education
Youth Development

## Approaches to 4-H Youth Development

- Belonging
- Mastery
- Independence
- Generosity

- CONTENT

**Notes:**
Over the years, our 4-H Educators have used many approaches in their work with youth.  Understanding these approaches and how they differ is critical in our effectiveness.

Prevention
Education
Youth Development

## Approaches to 4-H Youth Development 

- Belonging
- Mastery
- Independence
- Generosity

- CONTENT

- School Enrichment

**Notes:**
Over the years, our 4-H Educators have used many approaches in their work with youth.  Understanding these approaches and how they differ is critical in our effectiveness.

Prevention
Education
Youth Development

## 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)

## 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.*

## 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*

## The Good News 

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

## 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;

## 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*

## 4-H connects our youngest citizens to their past...

## ...their present...

## ...their future...

## 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.**