We are looking forward to another great year in 4-H! Last year, we launched an effort to strengthen and grow 4-H, with goals to triple enrollment over the next ten years.
We remain committed to increasing participation in the 4-H community club program. At the same time, we are looking at new ways for youth to participate in 4-H through in-school clubs, afterschool clubs, special interest (SPIN) clubs, family learning programs, and other innovative programming.
We remain committed to agricultural education and also offering youth opportunities to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
We remain committed and deeply value our 4-H volunteers who spend their time and money helping youth develop into productive young adults. 4-H is lucky and honored to have the dedication of so many of you who care so deeply about the program and the youth of California! We want to grow our volunteer family to help lead and support our effort to grow 4-H.
Over the last year our program has become even stronger:
- 4-H community club enrollment increased by 3% and 4-H membership grew with nearly 10,400 new members.
- Nearly 400 new volunteers joined 4-H - a 3% growth. Volunteers contributed over 1 million hours to improving the lives of youth in California! The time alone is valued at over $27,883,143.
- 4-H project participation increased in important ways - with an 85% increase in participation in animal science projects, 511% increase in civic engagement projects, 125% increase in leadership and personal development projects, a 51% increase in health projects, and a 160% increase in plant sciences to name a few.
- 4-H is reaching new audiences, with a 37% increase in Latino youth participation in 4-H.
We remain committed to the core values that has made 4-H great over the last 100 years and are excited to see the 4-H family grow.
Originally published in the August 2016 CA 4-H Newsletter.
