By Marla Lowder
When people walk through the Tanana Valley State Fair, they see exhibits by youth belonging to a group called 4-H. Shortly after the fair, I get lots of phone calls asking me questions about 4-H. I would like to take a minute to answer a few of those questions in advance for any of you who might be wondering.
4-H is a part of the Cooperative Extension Service, which is a part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It started in 1902 in Ohio with corn clubs for young men as a way to help educate farmers on new growing methods. The first 4-H clubs were formed in Fairbanks in 1930. 4-H is the largest youth organization in the United States, outside of school.
It has spread to more than 80 countries worldwide. 4-H is in big cities, small towns and rural areas in every country. It doesn’t matter where you live, 4-H isn’t far away.
So what is 4-H? 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
What do the four H’s stand for? They are head, heart, hands and health.
How does 4-H meet the needs of today’s youth?
According to Cathann Kress, past director of youth development at national 4-H headquarters, “Youth development research emphasizes the importance of meeting four basic needs — belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the group.”
This represents the heart of 4-H. 4-H gives youth the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe while participating in a group.
“To meet the need to master, youth need to feel and believe they are capable and experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence,” Kress said. By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive career and life choices. This represents the health of 4-H.
“4-H helps meet the need to be independent by allowing youth to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision making and action,” she said.
By exercising independence through 4-H leadership opportunities, youth mature in self-discipline and responsibility and learn to better understand themselves.
This represents the head of 4-H.
“Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose to meet the need to be generous,” Kress said. By exploring 4-H community service and citizenship activities, youth can connect to communities and learn to give back to others. This represents the hands of 4-H.
Who is in charge of 4-H? At the state level, 4-H is sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. Locally, it’s district Extension agents or 4-H coordinators.
Funding for 4-H is provided through a partnership between the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, along with other funding from the university and the state of Alaska.
4-H is for youth ages 5-18 as of Aug. 15 each year. The 4-H year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
It is led by volunteers who are certified after completing background checks and the training that UAF requires yearly.
These volunteers lead projects they are interested in, know about or are interested in learning about. The volunteers set club meetings according to their schedule and with the youth in their club in mind.
Meetings can be held at the CES office or a convenient location for the leaders and club members. All clubs have two certified leaders present at all times.
How can you become a 4-H member or volunteer? Call the Tanana District Extension office at 907-474-2420 or a local 4-H leader if you know one. Talk to someone you know who belongs to 4-H. Find out if there is room in a club near you. If not, starting a new club with some of your friends or other interested young people and one or two adults willing to help is easy.
We always need more volunteers; all you need is the desire to share your knowledge.
To learn more about 4-H, contact Marla Lowder, Tanana District 4-H Agent, UAF Cooperative Extension Service, at 907-474-2427 or mklowder@alaska.edu. You also can find information by visiting www.uaf.edu/ces/4-h.
