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.