Professional Development
Connections and Community are such a beloved part of our 4-H program. Creating spaces where all 4-H professionals can gather to reflect on the joyful pieces, roadblocks and problem solving creates a roadway for blooming. Whether you are brand new to 4-H, have spent your career in 4-H or fall somewhere in between the NYS 4-H team has created a virtual, shared coworking space to support our collaborative work across NYS. We imagine the coworking space as an opportunity to strengthen the 4-H community through relationship building, shared resources and storytelling.
We are excited to listen to your feedback, brainstorm and network together on topics along with using this space as a way to support connections and professional development in our 4-H program.
Scheduled Sessions
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 10-11:30am
Topic: Supporting Youth With Different Abilities in Our Programming
In this session, we will explore guidance drawn from ACT for Youth’s Creating Inclusive Program Environments for Youth with Different Abilities training resources. Together we’ll dive into:
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General strategies for inclusion
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Promoting a strong sense of belonging
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Addressing challenging behaviors
✨ Join us as we learn, share, and cultivate truly inclusive 4‑H experiences across New York State—so all youth feel supported, welcomed, and empowered.
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Resources from past gatherings
Northeast Clover Academy
Professional Development for ALL 4-H Staff
Register Here
Join us for four engaging professional development sessions designed to strengthen our practice through connection, content, and application. Each session offers timely learning you can immediately apply in your work with youth, volunteers, and communities—while also providing time to connect with colleagues and other youth development professionals across the Northeast region. Whether you are looking for practical tools, fresh strategies, or shared ideas, Clover Academy is a chance to learn together and strengthen our collective impact.
All sessions are held via Zoom from 9:30–11:00 AM.
April 9 | Program Planning Tools: From Ideas to Action
Have a program idea but need a structure to move it forward? This session will highlight planning tools and strategies to turn goals into actionable steps, strengthen program design, and improve follow-through. Walk away with methods you can use right away to plan, organize, and evaluate your work more effectively.
May 14 | Youth–Adult Partnerships and Shared Decision Making
Explore ways to deepen youth engagement by strengthening youth–adult partnerships. This session will focus on shared decision making and practical strategies to increase youth leadership, voice, and ownership in programs and clubs—supporting meaningful participation while building stronger outcomes for young people and adults alike.
December 10 | Volunteer Management: Recruiting and Retention
Volunteers are essential to strong 4-H programs. This session will focus on strategies for recruiting, onboarding, supporting, and retaining volunteers—while building a volunteer culture that feels purposeful, welcoming, and sustainable. Leave with practical approaches and ideas to strengthen volunteer engagement across your program.
