The 4-H Thriving Model is the science-grounded in practice that describes the “magic” of 4-H.  This model takes the science to explain the growth/thriving  process of youth because of their 4-H involvement.  Moving from the Develpmental Context (4-H Programs) to Youth Thriving (Social, Emetional and Cognitive Learning) to Development Outcomes (Positive Youth Development) to Long-Term Outcomes.  

The 4-H Thriving Model is best envisioned through what’s become commonly known as “The Flower Model.”  Thinking of the various stages of the 4-H Thriving Model as a flower growing and thriving is best way to envision the growth/impact on not only youth, but their families as well.  This series of success stories will show the impact Marshall County 4-H Youth Development programs have had on youth who are grown into positive, contributing members of society.

Marshall County 4-H’s first “In Their Own Words” for 2022-2023 features the story of one of our graduates who continues to serve 4-H…

I just wanted to take some time to write about how much 4-H has impacted my life and specifically how having YOU (Current Marshall County 4-HYD Agent) as an agent has helped guide me down a path towards success in my personal life and career.  You brought me into the 4-H fold by speaking at my elementary school about the fun activities and friends that we would meet at summer camp, and WOW were you right about that! I joined 4-H later than most, only coming to summer camp for a week each summer for the first 3-4 years. But I soon realized that I had met many of my closest friends through 4-H and decided to listen to your requests to become more involved as a Counselor, Club Meetings, and Issues Conference. I was lucky enough go to Issues Conference THREE TIMES over the years as a Member, Co-Chair and President.  I’ve been to camp now at least 18 times with multiple counties, with at least 12 of those being some form of counselor, creating some of the best memories of my entire life.  

 I can attribute much of my success in life to 4-H and the experiences that you helped lead me through.  I took my first rocket class at camp with Torey Earle (4-H Specialist for Science Engineering Technology), making water bottle rockets in the craft area in the old Sparks Dining Hall. Fast Forward to my current career as an Aerospace Engineer at SpaceX, building rockets, spacecraft, and satellites to help send NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. I can say that 4-H was a catalyst that sparked my interest in engineering and the Space Industry and I’m not sure what I would be doing otherwise.  Everything came full circle last year when you and Torey asked me to join the 2021 Galactic Quest 4-H STEM Summit as a guest speaker on the Career Panel next to some rockstar cohosts with the NASA Mars Rover Team and Cornell University about my experiences in STEM and how 4-H helped make me a successful employee at SpaceX. I’m extremely glad to be able to give back to the 4-H community because it has given so much to me over the years. I would just like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the best agent that I never knew I needed throughout my life.

 The Long-Term Outcomes (aka the “flower”) of the 4-H Thrive Model include academic or vocational success (Head); civic engagement (Heart), employability and econcomic stability (Hands), and happiness and wellbeing (Health).  In their own words, this Marshall County 4-H Alumn credits his involvement in the program for getting him to be thriving member of our world.