Hamilton County
311 Bank Street
Webster City, IA 50595
Phone:515-832-9597
FAX: 515-832-9599
www.extension.iastate.edu/hamilton
Date: 5-5-08
4-H Gets Results
You may assume that adolescents are inherently “at risk” and try to “fix” their problems. Or you may
take another perspective –- positive youth development – believing that youth have assets and can
become constructive contributors to society. That’s the perspective of ISU Extension 4-H Youth
Development. A new national study confirms that 4-H and positive youth development get better
results.
A Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development has found that youth involved in highquality, structured programs during out-of-school-time, such as those offered by 4-H in every county in
Iowa, are more likely to experience positive youth development.
“This study confirms that youth involved in 4-H are leaders, contribute to their communities and are
civically engaged, which strengthens communities,” said David Brown, County Extension Education
Director in Hamilton County. .
The Tufts’ study is a first-of-its-kind, longitudinal study measuring the impact personal and social
factors have on youth as they develop. Findings reveal that all youth have the capacity to thrive,
regardless of where they live, their family situations, their socioeconomic status, races and genders.
“We’re excited about this research and will be applying what we learn to Iowa 4-H,” said Chuck
Morris, director of ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development. “We want to ensure that our 4-H program
continues to provide opportunities that will help our youth become successful, contributing members of
their communities.”
The 4-H study, conducted by Tufts University and sponsored by the National 4-H Council, involved
more than 4,000 youth and 2,000 parents from 25 states to measure the impact personal and social
factors have on a young person’s development.
-30Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age,
or disability.