Building a ready generation in a world of change.
NY 4-H'ers are Beyond Ready
4-H is pivotal in providing hands-on opportunities for skill development and cultivating the qualities essential for the success of today’s youth and the workforce of tomorrow.
Youth are growing up in a rapidly evolving landscape. Supporting youth thriving requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach that aligns with the evolving dynamics of education, work, and personal development. This includes a keen focus on experiential learning, relational skills, fostering growth and purpose-focused mindsets, and cultivating opportunities for youth to engage in personalized, balanced learning pathways.
Youth who experience high-quality 4-H positive youth development programs develop civic engagement, college and career readiness, healthy living and science skills.
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Through 4-H, youth explore careers, have their first job experiences, earn credentials, enter and complete vocational training, enter college, and become entrepreneurs.
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4-H engages youth directly in the agricultural community, developing relationships with farmers, engaging with innovative agricultural technologies, and bringing agriculture to life for youth from the country and cities. Youth are food systems leaders, developing greater awareness of the ways food and food production is intrinsically and dynamically connected to the environment.
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Youth pursue their interests and use what they learn to make the world a better place, for example using sewing skills to care for animals, building skills for community beautification projects, and growing food for their communities.
“Coding is fun, you can do a lot with it!” said a youth in a 4-H afterschool club. Another 4-Her said, “I want to go into computer programming for a career now!”
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Program Examples
NYS 4-H Career Explorations is an annual event that expands possibilities for youth by connecting them to Cornell University, New York’s Land Grant University; sparking interests in careers and career pathways; developing academic, leadership, and life skills; and providing opportunities to experience college life.
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In 2023, 233 youth and 66 adults participated from all across New York State.
4-H Welding programs spark youth interest in welding trades, ag technical careers and other career options, help them develop skills to further their career goals, and increase access so all youth can take advantage of these opportunities.
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Programs led in collaboration with local BOCES, business, and government agencies.
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Programs in Lewis, Essex, and Monroe counties and growing interest around the state.
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Youth used their experiences to earn promotions at work, explore more continuing education options to further their career goals, and even as a way to support mental well-being.
The Growing a 4-H Computer Science Pathway program aimed to increase access to computer science opportunities for youth across NYS throughout the program and beyond.
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12,474 youth (from 78% of CCE Associations) were involved in computer science learning experiences in NYS 4-H over 3 years (program completed in 2021).
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Computer science programs continue to grow in NYS 4-H for example through the statewide Esports program, the Orange County 4-H STEM Explorers, Rensselaer County 4-H STEM series, the RootED afterschool program in Broome County, the Saratoga County 4-H robotics program, and STEAM Day in Cayuga County.