AgSouth 4-H award
While some teens were spending their summers chasing Pokémon, a group of youth from South Carolina visited Washington, D.C., to develop a community action plan at National 4-H Council’s Citizenship Washington Focus. Out of all of the groups that created plans, Farm Credit chose the plan developed by the city/county youth as the most impactful, and awarded the teen team with $500 to enact their project back in the community.
The potholes in Anderson have become a danger to the community, and the teen delegation from South Carolina has a plan to fix them. Using the program as an opportunity for youth to mentor one another, the teens plan to create a map of the potholes in the community and work with local government to assess the issues and begin filling the potholes. In doing this, the roadways will become safer and the teens will develop leadership skills that will stay with them for a lifetime.
For more than 50 years, National 4-H Youth Conference Center has invited 4-H members from across the country to travel to Washington, D.C. and participate in civic workshops, committees, and field trips before returning home to make positive changes in their own communities. During CWF, youth experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the nation’s capital while meeting with members of congress to learn more about how their government works. At the end of the program, youth drafted step-by-step action plans to address important issues in their communities.
“The action plan developed by the teens from South Carolina is a great example of how youth are taking the skills they are learning in 4-H and applying them to real world issues,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “These teens exemplify the confidence, independence, resilience and compassion that develop in our 4-H’ers across the country.”
“The future of our communities, states, country and world are dependent on our youth. Investing in the development of these young people is vital and something that we are proud to participate in,” said Al Baldwin, regional business development manager for AgSouth Farm Credit. “This plan by these Anderson youth through this program is a great example of how this generation can be engaged in their local community and have a positive impact on current issues.”
Since 2011, Farm Credit has provided scholarships for diverse and underserved youth to participate in CWF. The partnership has allowed Farm Credit and 4-H to positively impact approximately 60 youth annually. Click here to learn more about CWF and projects like this.
About 4‑H
4‑H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4‑H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4‑H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4‑H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4‑H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
Learn more about 4‑H at www.4‑H.org, find us on FACEBOOK and on TWITTER.