More than 100 years ago 4-H began.  Its approach at the time was to work with young rural kids to help them adapt to new thinking, learn new methods, and gain confidence in a learning-by-doing approach that allowed them to see their achievements.  It began with college educators sharing new knowledge and methods.  And it resulted in young rural youth becoming leaders in the home, in the field, in the community and in their career.

According to www.4-h-learns.org/pyd, this learning-by-doing approach is known as Positive Youth Development. It’s a strengths-based approach that builds on assets, interests, and strengths already within the young people.  4-H creates opportunities for youth to develop to their full potential to help them master skills, develop confidence, take on leadership roles, and make healthy, responsible choices and decisions.

Achievement simply stated is accomplishing a set goal…and recognizing that you have accomplished the goal – mastering a new skill; developing confidence; stepping up to serve in a leadership position; or making a good choice or responsible decision.  

4-H encourages young people to record these accomplishments…or achievements through record-keeping.   Each 4-H member who completes the Kentucky 4-H Achievement report form gains a valuable insight into their success story. Their profiles tell the story of the impact 4-H has had on their young lives, as one member shares, “I was a timid, self-conscious little girl, little did I know the impact 4-H would have…helping me become a leader I did not know I was capable of being.  Because of 4-H, I am better.  I am confident.”  

As the 4-H program year concludes at the end of August each year, 4-H members are encouraged to complete the “achievement form.”   They are encouraged to fill out the blanks of the form and allow their success story to be told.  They are recognized for their level of achievement—Clover 1, Clover 2, Clover 3, Bronze, Silver, and/or Gold.  Regardless of their level of 4-H achievement, they gain the development awards of self-confidence, self-satisfaction, and self-empowerment.

This fall 2024, eleven 4-H members gained these development awards. As they completed the achievement form, they wrote their success story of skills mastered, confidence gained, leader role served, and responsible decisions made. 

 because of the program/outreach.