Author: Lisa Hagman
Planning Unit: Hancock County CES
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Plan of Work: Developing Leadership, Life Skills, and Volunteer Skills
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
A piece of mail lands on a desk…return address is a correctional facility with a stamp in red ink across it that reads, “This mail is from an inmate of the Orange County Jail.” The hand-written letter inside this envelope was heartfelt words from a former Hancock County 4-H member.
For more than 10 years, 4-H has partnered with Tufts University to study the effectiveness of its youth development programs. This first of its kind research study found that 4-H’s unique hands-on approach gives kids the opportunity to learn by doing and build life skills. 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study that began in 2002 and was repeated annually for eight years, surveying more than 7,000 adolescents from diverse backgrounds across 42 U.S. states. The study showed that 4-H members showed higher levels of competence, confidence, character, connection and caring. These core areas led these 4-H members to a reduced risk behavior. (SOURCE: The Positive Development of Youth: Comprehensive Findings from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development: Richard M. Lerner, Jacqueline V. Lerner, and Colleagues)
The words of this young man proved this study correct. The young man said, “I can tell you one thing; 4-H helps kids out a lot. I didn’t really start bad life decisions until I moved away and didn’t have things like 4-H Camp and 4-H Teen Conference. When I had those, I didn’t do drugs and stuff.” “I’ve set a lot of goals to accomplish when I get out. I hope to become active in the community again and make something of my life. 4-H meant a lot to me growing up and I know others say the same.”
The longitudinal study discovered that the structured out-of-school time learning, leadership experiences, and adult mentoring that young people receive through their participation in 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve success. This young man was on the right path until 4-H was no longer a part of his youth development process. While heartbreaking, it reinforces the importance of 4-H and positive youth development and the impact on our young people. Hancock County 4-H is part of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service-College of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.
Through the 94th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, 4-Hers from across the Commonwealth developed ... Read More
A piece of mail lands on a desk…return address is a correctional facility with a stamp in red ink ac... Read More
Leadership has long been recognized as the reason some communities advance while othersstrugg... Read More
Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Resid... Read More
The Kentucky 4-H Program holds the mission of improving people through intentional life skill develo... Read More
The Estill County Agricultural Fair has been a long-standing event in the local community. Allowing ... Read More