Wisconsin 4-H Retention Study Summary
2011-2012
Prepared by UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Retention Team Members:
Sara Donnerbauer, Eau Claire County
Betsy Olson, Grant County
Marie Witzel, St. Croix County
The Wisconsin 4-H Retention Study asked 4-H members who left the program why they decided
not to re-enroll. A joint effort team between Wisconsin and Minnesota designed a survey
containing questions based on youth participation, retention research and staff observations.
The first survey was conducted in late 2008. It was sent to youth who were members in 20072008, but did not enroll for 2008-2009. The 110 responses represented all youth who
completed grades K through one year past high school.
The survey was revised and conducted in fall and spring of 2009-2010. The survey was again
conducted in fall and spring of 2010-2011. Surveys were sent voluntarily by 4-H Youth
Development staff to youth who had enrolled in 2009-2010 but had not enrolled in 2010-2011.
Demographics
This report contains the results of 68 respondents from 21 counties. The majority of responses
came from females (69%) and most respondents reported living in either a rural area or a farm
(70%). The majority of respondents left 4-H prior to graduation (66%). Almost all of the
respondents identified as non-Hispanic with 1 respondent reported a two or more races.
About 25% of youth who did not graduate from 4-H were in 4-H less than one year. Onefourth of the youth were in 4-H from 11 to 13 years. About 41% of the sample began 4-H as a
Cloverbud (grades K, 1 or 2) and 32% began in third, fourth or fifth grade.
Reasons Youth Joined 4-H
Most youth indicated they joined 4-H because they wanted to have fun (92%), try new things
(90%), participate in 4-H activities like county fair and other show events (87%), and
participate in 4-H activities and events (84%). Less common responses included joining
because their friend (s) were in 4-H (49%), or they were asked to join (37%).
Our findings indicate that it did not matter why youth joined 4-H. If they became involved in
other activities, they lost interest or the experience was not fun, their continued participation
in the 4-H program ended. Time was not a significant factor in a youth’s decision to continue
their participation in 4-H.
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TABLE 1 – Reasons Youth Joined 4-H
Please tell us whether or not each of the following were reasons you joined 4-H:
I wanted to have fun
I wanted to try some new things
I wanted to participate in county fair and other show events
I wanted to participate in 4-H activities and events
I wanted to help others and the community
I wanted to participate in 4-H project learning
My parent(s)/guardian(s) signed me up
My family was in 4-H
My friends were in 4-H
I was asked to join
“Yes"
responses
N= 67
93% (62)
90% (60)
87% (58)
84% (56)
73% (49)
67% (45)
67% (44)
51% (34)
49% (33)
37% (25)
Why Youth Stayed in 4-H
The following were primary reasons youth participants stayed in 4-H: like being with other kids
(86%), having fun (85%), participating in county fair and other show events (82%),
participating in 4-H activities and events (80%), learning new things (74%) and helping others
and the community (74%). Other less significant reasons included: Awards and recognition
(71%), parents wanting them to stay involved (70%), working on projects (68%)and teaching
others (65%).
It is important to note the top reasons why youth indicated they left 4-H. Seventy-three
percent said they left because they became involved with other activities, lost interest in 4-H
(62%), they did not have fun (38%), they did not learn anything new (33%), or did not feel
welcome at club or project meetings (29%).
TABLE 2 – Why Youth Stayed in 4-H
Next, please indicate the reasons you stayed involved in 4-H:
I liked being with other kids
I had fun
I enjoyed participating in county fair and other show events
I enjoyed participating in 4-H activities and events
I like to help others and the community
I learned new things
I liked the awards and recognition I achieved and worked toward
My parent/guardian wanted me to stay involved
I enjoyed working on my 4-H projects
I liked teaching others things I knew how to do
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“Yes" responses
N = 66
86% (57)
85% (56)
82% (54)
80% (53)
74% (49)
74% (49)
71% (47)
70% (46)
68% (45)
42% (27)
Reasons Youth Left the 4-H Program
The following were primary reasons youth participants left 4-H: became involved with other
activities (73%), lost interest in 4-H (63%), did not have fun (38%), did not learn anything new
(33%), did not feel welcome at club or project meetings (74%) and my friends were not in 4-H
(27%).
TABLE 2 – Why Youth Left 4-H
Next, please indicate the reasons you stayed involved in 4-H:
“Yes" responses
N = 45
73% (33)
63% (28)
38% (17)
33% (15)
29% (13)
27% (12)
27% (12)
22% (10)
16% (7)
16% (7)
16% (7)
2% (1)
I became involved with other activities
I lost interest in 4-H
I did not have fun
I did not learn anything new
I did not feel welcome at club or project meetings
My friends were not in 4-H
I did not get enough help
I did not get to choose what I wanted to do
I was not able to help others and community
I was not able to teach or help other youth
I did what I set out to do in 4-H
I moved
Satisfaction with Information Received from Extension Office/4-H Club
The data indicated that youth received a majority of their information via their club and a
lesser amount from the Extension Office. Information they received most often included
County Fair information, re-enrollment materials, record keeping/book information, and club
meeting information. It is worth noting that 37% of youth reported not receiving an
orientation to 4-H, with 30% indicating they did not received new family handbooks/materials
and 22% did not receive information on starting their 4-H projects.
Those members who left 4-H reported receiving the least amount of help from the Extension
Office/4-H Club in the areas of orientation to 4-H, starting your 4-H project, and new family
handbook/materials.
TABLE 3 – Where Youth Receive Information
Please check all that you felt you
received from any or all of the
following:
N=69
Extension Office/4-H
Office
4-H Club
Did not
receive
County Fair Information
48%
(33)
61%
(42) 14%
(10)
New Family handbook/materials
32%
(22)
51%
(35) 30%
(21)
Re-enrollment information
32%
(22)
75%
(52) 10%
(7)
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Information on starting your 4-H
projects
30%
(21)
Record Keeping/Books
23%
(16)
Orientation to 4-H (event or
meeting)
20%
(14)
Regular club meeting materials and
information
16%
(11)
58%
(40) 22%
(15)
(48) 19%
(13)
49%
(34) 38%
(26)
83%
(57) 10%
(7)
70%
4-H Club Meetings
At 4-H club meetings youth participants indicated that they felt safe (83%), youth run the
meetings (79%), the club encourage parent(s)/guardian(s) to attend and participate (75%), and
that youth and adults were working together (71%). The least frequent responses were that
youth had fun (56%), youth were in charge of something (54%), and the youth were
recognized (54%).
TABLE 4 – 4-H Club Meetings
Please respond to all of the
following statements about 4-H
club meetings:
N=68
Yes
No
Don't Know
Did you feel safe and accepted for
who you are?
83%
(57)
8%
(6)
4%
(3)
Did youth run the meetings?
79%
(54)
18%
(12)
3%
(2)
Did the club encourage
parent(s)/guardian(s) to attend and
participate
75%
(51)
15%
(10) 10%
(7)
Were youth and adults working
together?
71%
(48)
18%
(12) 10%
(7)
Were you included in discussions
and decisions?
69%
(47)
25%
(17)
4%
(3)
Did the meeting have different
programs, speakers and activities?
65%
(44)
31%
(21)
3%
(2)
Did you have fun?
56%
(38)
26%
(18) 15%
(10)
Did you have a chance to be in
charge of something?
54%
(37)
38%
(26)
6%
(4)
Did you feel recognized for your
contributions?
54%
(37)
32%
(22) 12%
(8)
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4-H Projects and Project Meetings
Youth were asked questions regarding project meetings based on the answer to their favorite
4-H project. A majority of youth (71%) stated that they did exhibit their work at the fair or
another event. A large number found project meetings fun and interesting (69%) and had a
chance to set their own goals (67%). However, 40% of the youth surveyed said they did not
have an opportunity to teach other youth. In this section, anywhere from one to two
responses were left blank for each question, equaling about two to four percent of responses.
What was your favorite 4-H project? _________________________________________
(Please use this project to answer the next three questions)
Did you participate in project meetings (of 65 responses)? 55% (36)-Yes
No
44% (29)-
If you attended project meetings, please answer the
following questions:
“Yes”
Responses
n=45
“No”
Responses
Did you have a chance to exhibit your work at the fair
or an event?
Were project meetings fun and interesting?
71% (32)
20% (9)
“Don’t
Know”
Responses
4% (2)
69% (31)
11% (5)
18% (8)
Did you get a chance to set your own goals and work
towards them?
Did you get the help you needed?
67% (30)
16% (7)
16% (7)
58% (26)
18% (8)
20% (9)
Did you get recognized for reaching your goals?
51% (23)
22% (10)
22% (10)
Did you get a chance to teach other youth?
44% (20)
40% (18)
11% (5)
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4-H Club Participation
Youth participated in a variety of club level activities. Over three quarters (78%) of youth
participated in club recreation or games, and 75% participated in community service. Just over
half (59%) participated in speeches or demonstrations. However, only 44% of youth had club
officer leadership opportunities. In this section, anywhere from one to four responses were
left blank for each question, equaling about two to six percent of responses.
What activities did you participate in at your 4-H club?
n=68
“Yes” Responses
Recreation and games
Community service
Fund raisers
Speech or demonstrations
Programs at meetings
Club committees
Club trips
Club officer
78% (53)
75% (51)
66% (45)
59% (40)
57% (39)
53% (36)
46% (31)
44% (30)
“No”
Responses
21% (14)
24% (16)
32% (22)
38% (26)
37% (25)
46% (31)
53% (36)
54% (37)
4-H Participation Beyond the Club
Youth participated in a variety of experiences outside of the 4-H community club. A majority
(61%) took part in community service activities. This activity was significantly ranked higher
than any other county-wide 4-H activity, including camp (38%), Youth Leader/Teen Leader
(23%), and Market Animal Program (20%). Very few participated as Ambassadors (3%) or
attended national or international trips (8% and 0% respectively). In this section, anywhere
from one to four responses were left blank for each question, equaling about two to six
percent of responses.
What 4-H county-wide activities did you participate in?
Community Service
Camp
Communication Arts or Music, Drama or Performing Arts
Youth Leader/Teen Leader
Market Animal Program
Foods or Clothing Revue
Shooting Sports Competitions and Events
County Project Workshop
State Youth Conference
County Project Committee
Citizenship Washington Focus or National
Conference/Congress
Ambassador
4-H International Programs
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n=66
“Yes” Responses
61% (40)
38% (25)
29% (19)
23% (15)
20% (13)
18% (12)
17% (11)
15% (10)
14% (9)
12% (8)
8% (5)
“No”
Responses
39% (26)
59% (39)
70% (46)
71% (47)
79% (52)
79% (52)
79% (52)
82% (54)
82% (54)
85% (56)
89% (59)
3% (2)
0% (0)
92% (61)
96% (63)
Participation in Youth Activities Beyond 4-H
While enrolled in 4-H, youth were still active in other youth organizations. A significant
majority of the youth (85%) participated in school clubs or activities, while 74% were members
of sports. Almost half (46%) of youth were employed, and about 43% of youth were involved
in other youth groups. In this section, anywhere from two to five were left blank for each
question, equaling about three to eight percent of responses.
In what activities outside of 4-H did you participate in
while you were a 4-H member?
School Clubs/Activities
Sports
Faith-based Youth Groups
Job/Employment
Other Youth Groups
n=65
“Yes” Responses
85% (55)
74% (48)
52% (34)
46% (30)
43% (28)
“No”
Responses
12% (8)
26% (17)
43% (28)
49% (32)
49% (32)
Once un-enrolled from the 4-H program, a significant group (76%) still participated in other
school clubs or activities, as well as over half (54%) remained in sports. About the same
percentage (46%) were employed while out of 4-H. Again in this section there were higher
numbers of youth who did not complete the question, ranging from 1 (2%) to 6 (9%).
What activities do you participate in after leaving 4-H?
n=67
“Yes” Responses
School Clubs/Activities
Sports
Faith-based Youth Groups
Job/Employment
Other Youth Groups
76% (51)
54% (36)
52% (35)
46% (31)
37% (25)
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“No”
Responses
21% (14)
45% (30)
42% (28)
46% (31)
54% (26)
What Youth Liked Most About 4-H
At the end of the survey respondents could offer open ended answers. They were able to list
what they liked most about 4-H (58 responses) and what they liked least about 4-H (57
responses). The following pie charts summarize their responses.
Chart 1 – Things Youth Like Most About 4-H (N= 57)
What Youth Liked Least About 4-H
Chart 2 – Things Youth Like Least About 4-H (N = 57)
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Limitations of the Study
A 2010 follow up electronic survey of staff indicated that 24 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties had
distributed the survey or notice of the survey. Staff members were encouraged to cooperate in
distributing the survey. Limited county cooperation may be attributed in some cases to a
staffing vacancy, budgetary constraints or time priority issues. The response rate has been
difficult to calculate but is quite a low percentage of the number of members who do not reenroll. This may limit the representative nature of the responses. We also recognize that those
receiving the survey request may have chosen not to respond or have some difficulties
completing responses online. Very few counties sent out the survey in a paper copy limiting
the results to families that have greater access to technology.
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