Success StoryGrowing the Skills of County 4-H Agents



Growing the Skills of County 4-H Agents

Author: Julie N. Zimmerman

Planning Unit: Community & Leadership Development

Major Program: Staff Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Continuing to upgrade the skills of county agents is important for all Extension program areas.  Organized by Kim Ledger and Chuck Stamper, the 4-H Youth Development Institute is geared toward 4-H agents who have established themselves in the county, and who have begun to take a critical look at their 4-H program and ask “why we do what we do.”  As a result of participating in the Institute, agents gain a better understanding of Positive Youth Development concepts, how to apply the concepts in designing their local 4-H program, and they learn not only how to go into more depth in programming but also in making a greater impact.

The Instituted was first conducted in 2016 for which I was asked to provide a presentation that not only addressed how to use secondary data, but included a discussion of the importance of research ethics and how a philosophy of knowledge is embedded in the research-based approach of Cooperative Extension.   Since participants in the 2016 Institute ranked my presentation as among the most influential, in 2018, I was again asked to be a part of the 4-H Youth Development Institute and have already be asked to return for the 2020 Institute.  






Stories by Julie N. Zimmerman


Going Beyond Just Numbers

about 6 years ago by Julie N. Zimmerman

As I often say, numbers alone do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a much larger landscape of ... Read More


Growing the Skills of County 4-H Agents

about 6 years ago by Julie N. Zimmerman

Continuing to upgrade the skills of county agents is important for all Extension program areas. Orga... Read More


Stories by Community & Leadership Development


Coaching Coalitions to Success

about 6 years ago by Daniel Kahl

Coaches can help groups support and sustain successful community change initiatives. University of K... Read More


Going Beyond Just Numbers

about 6 years ago by Julie N. Zimmerman

As I often say, numbers alone do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a much larger landscape of ... Read More


Stories by Staff Development


Mentorship Program

Mentorship Program

about 6 years ago by Karli Giles

I completed the Cooperative Extension Mentorship Program this past year with my mentor, Elizabeth Co... Read More


Going Beyond Just Numbers

about 6 years ago by Julie N. Zimmerman

As I often say, numbers alone do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a much larger landscape of ... Read More