- Author: Saoimanu Sope
The 4-H Youth Development Program in Santa Barbara County believes that true leaders are not born, they're grown. With the support of its generous donors, strong volunteer base, and community support, the 4-H Program in Santa Barbara County successfully equips and empowers young leaders to develop essential leadership skills; build confidence and skills in healthy living, science, technology, engineering and math; and explore college and career pathways.
Recognizing its significant impact in the community, the Edwin and Jeanne Woods Foundation committed a $5,000 matching incentive to the Forever 4-H Endowment of Santa Barbara County. As longtime supporters of 4-H, the Edwin and Jeanne Woods Foundation believes in the program's mission and vision to engage youth in reaching their fullest potential while providing meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.
“I was able to learn more about how I can improve myself in order to help improve my community. From becoming more confident in my knowledge and abilities to my ability to connect with people of all ages,” said a 4-H youth participant regarding their overall experience in the program.
4-H Club based projects focus on animal science, career and leadership, civic engagement, healthy living and nutrition, outdoor education, and STEM. Currently there are twelve 4-H community clubs located throughout Santa Barbara County in Carpinteria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Solvang. In addition, there are five school-based clubs at elementary schools located in Santa Maria with a focus on leadership in health and nutrition.
Established in June 2019, the Santa Barbara County Forever 4-H Endowment's market value as of October 31, 2024, was $242,265. The payout from this endowment will provide a sustainable revenue source contributing to the program's continued efforts in providing hands-on learning and leadership opportunities, and empowering youth to excel academically, socially, and personally well into the future.
Consider doubling your impact with a gift to the Santa Barbara County Forever 4-H Endowment during this year's Giving Tuesday Campaign, Dec. 3 by making a donation at the link found here https://give4h.ucanr.edu/forms/SantaBarbara-4H.
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Many of our UC Agriculture and Natural Resources colleagues have already had the opportunity to chat – in an informal, online setting – with UC ANR leadership about a wide range of topics.
June 20 (1 to 2 p.m.) is your next chance to take part in the series, “Open Conversations with UC ANR Senior Leadership” (submit interest form to participate).
Within this small group format, you can voice your questions, comments, suggestions – or whatever is on your mind – with Vice President Glenda Humiston, Associate Vice President-Business Operations Tu Tran and interim Associate Vice President-Programs Deanne Meyer.
Past participants, such as Ricardo Vela, manager of News & Information Outreach in Spanish, recommend these sessions as a forum for candid, meaningful engagement with leadership.
“I encourage every UC ANR staff member to participate,” Vela said. “Open Conversations with UC ANR Leadership were precisely that – a very casual, open conversation about topics I was interested in. The meeting was not one-sided, and senior leadership showed genuine interest in what I had to say; in the end, participating made me feel that I mattered at UC ANR.”
Organizers seek to limit enrollment to 20 participants to allow for more in-depth dialogue, so submit your interest form early. Attendees are expected to have mic and camera on for the duration of the online session.
Contact the Program Support Unit at anrprogramsupport@ucanr.edu with any questions.
