The Benefits of 4-H Youth
Development
Participation
Karen Nelson
Columbia County
4-H Youth Development
Educator
Audience:
•Stakeholders
•User Groups
Purpose:
•Explains the background of 4-H Youth
Development programming.
•Discusses the value of non-formal educational programs.
•Shares research results that document the developmental benefits of 4-H Youth
Development

• Wisconsin 4-H Youth
Development - Making a
Difference Through Positive
Youth Development
• “4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.”

Number of youth participating in 4-H in the
United States in 2003.
A. 2 million
B. 4 million
C. 6 million
D. 7 million

Answer: Over 7 million young people in 3,051 counties.
Over 1.5 million were members of 4-H clubs.
Over 4 million participated in school-enrichment groups.
4H youth development facts in brief.” (2003)

Number of 4-H Club members in Wisconsin in 2003.
A. 10,000
B. 20,000
C. 33,000
D. 50,000

Answer: 50,000 members and 14,500 adult and youth volunteer leaders .
Source: Wisconsin ES-237 Report (2003)

Amount of money county government in Wisconsin invested in 4-H Youth
Development staff and support in 2001?
A. $2 million
B. $3.5 million
C. $4.5 million
D. $5 million

Answer: In 2001, County government in Wisconsin invested about $3.5 million in
4-H Youth Development staff and support, including both fully funded county 4-H staff and county-university costshared faculty and staff.
“Investing in Wisconsin’s youth – 4-H youth development.” (2001)

What did Wisconsin counties get for that investment?
A. Participation of 245,000 young people in 4-H programs.
B. Between $19.05 and $40.35 million return on investment.
C. 10,000 community service projects by 4-H members and their families.
D. All of the above .

Answer: D. All of the above.
Nearly 245,000 youth were reached through 4-H in 2003.
$3.7 million – $25 million for delinquency prevention
$1.25 million for volunteer work on behalf of communities
$4.6 million in state and federal funds.
$9.5 million for volunteer work for
Extension programs
More than 10,000 local service projects are conducted annually.
“Investing in Wisconsin’s youth – 4-H youth development.” (2001) and WI ES237 Report

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4-H Emphasis: Development of life skills, career preparation and leadership development .
•Provide young people a chance to learn new skills
•Programs are delivered in multiple ways
4-H Youth Development moves individuals, communities and programs toward positive youth development.

Positive Youth Development :
occurs from an intentional process that promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, choices, relationships, and the support necessary for youth to fully participate
Smith (2004)

How do we know that a positive youth development program like 4-
H makes a difference in the lives of youth, families and communities?
•Provides opportunities to master competencies that prepare them for adulthood
•Creates environments that meet their needs
•Typically take place during nonschool hours in a non-formal educational setting

Out-of-school, non-formal educational opportunities like 4-H are important because they involve :
•Personal choice
•Multiple leadership roles
•Hands-on learning
•Peer relationships outside of the classroom
•Access to multiple caring adults
•Access to multiple adult role models
•Sense of community through youth/adult partnerships
•Developing initiative
•Participation in diverse activities
Russell (2001)

A major strength of 4-H is the variety of activities in which youth can choose to be involved. Another strength is the emphasis in 4-H of providing family-based activities.

Family involvement is crucial to the development of healthy youth.
•Family access to community resources increases competence.
•Higher perception of academic ability and positive relationship with peers.
•Less time spent with peers.
•Stronger relationships within the family.
•Parental community ties predict academic success .
Russell
(2001)

Having considered the benefits of extracurricular activities for children, particularly those that involved parents, let’s consider some evidence about the benefits of
4-H in particular.
•Prevention
•Positive Youth Development
•Life Skill Development

4-H Youth Development
Research

4-H youth reported that they are less likely than other youth to :
•Shoplift or steal.
•Use illegal drugs of any kind to get high.
•Ride in a car with someone who has been drinking.
•Smoke cigarettes.
•Damage property for the fun of it.
•Skip school or cut class without permission.
Youth involved in positive out-of-school alternatives develop critical skills: leadership, self-confidence, caring.
Astroth (2001) - Montana

A lower percentage of 4-Hers than non-4-H members:
•Spend 6 or more hours/week playing computer/video games.
•Spend 8 hours or more hours/week watching television.
•Steal something (past year).
•Damage property (past year).
•Smoke cigarettes (past year).
•Drink alcohol (past year).
•Ride in a car whose driver was drinking
(past year).
Minnesota 4-H Youth Survey (2002)

Local Results:

4-H Youth Development
Research

•4-H youth have higher scores for community contribution than do youth involved in other youth development programs .
•Community contributions of youth involved in 4-H programs increases in relation how long they participate.
•Frequency of community participation is significantly predicted by 4-H program participation.
Lerner (2003) – National 4-H Impact Study

4-H Alumni remain more active in their communities throughout their lives than youth participants in other non-formal, structured youth organizations .
Ladewig (1987) - Texas

•Volunteer in the community.
•Are involved in other activities – sports.
•Are involved in other activities – arts.
Minnesota 4-H Youth Survey (2002)

4-H club members scored higher than youth
(with or without other club participation) who completed a Search Institute Survey on all developmental assets including:
•Educational aspiration
•Achievement motivation
.
•Desire to help others
•School grades
•Self-esteem
•Decision Making
•Having a value system
•Interaction with adults
•Ability to make friends
Mead (1999) – New York

Local Results :

4-H Youth Development
Research

A study of Wisconsin youth involved in animal science projects found that 4-H members compared to non-4-H members:
•Were more likely to set goals for themselves and achieve them.
•Understood and practiced ethical decision making.
•Were more likely to serve in a leadership position on a club, group or program.
•Take responsibility for the decisions they make.
Lackey (2004) - Wisconsin

Wisconsin 4-H Camp Counselors develop life skills including:
•Leadership
•People skills
•Communication
•Tolerance
•Responsibility
•Teamwork
•Problem solving
•Planning and organizing
Forsythe (2004) - Wisconsin

Wisconsin 4-H Camp Counselors identified the counselor experience as a unique opportunity. It helps young people :
•Understand and work with children.
•Develop responsibility.
•Be a role model.
In addition
•93% identified at least one skill they will use in their community.
•96% identified at least one skill that will help them in a future job.
Forsythe, Matysik & Nelson (2004) - Wisconsin

4-H Community Club Members indicate that:
•4-H teaches them to work out differences peacefully. (88%)
•4-H has taught them problem solving skills.
(86%)
•4-H has taught them decision making skills.
(89%)
•4-H has helped teach them how to develop a plan to reach their goals. (91%)
•4-H has helped them accept difference in others.
(94%)
•4-H helped teach them skills to be a leader.
(91%)
Texas 4-H impact assessment (2000)

Through 4-H, club members gain skills:
69 – 86% gained leadership skills.
45 – 49% improved their leadership skills in getting along with others, having a friendly personality, respecting other and setting goals.
45 – 61% improved in determining needs, using information to solve problems, showing responsible attitudes, and being tactful.
40 – 44% improved their skills in trusting other people and using logical thinking.
40 – 44% improved their skills in considering alternatives, solving problems, considering input from all group members, being flexible, selecting alternatives, handling mistakes, listening effectively, having positive self-concept, clarifying values, and having good manners.
Clark (1998) – Illinois

Local Results

4-H teaches lessons, habits, attitudes and skills that last a lifetime and continue to benefit local communities throughout Wisconsin.
Kress (2004)

References:
“4-H youth development facts in brief.” (2003) Retrieved on December
23, 2004 from http://www.national4hheadquarters.gov/library/2003factsbrief.pdf
Astroth, Kirk. (2001). “Research findings show the impact of 4-H”
Montana 4-H Research Summary, Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/www4h/4hsurvey.pdf
Astroth, Kirk, and George Haynes. (2002). “More than cows and cooking: Newest research shows the impact of 4-
H.” Journal of
Extension. 40(4). www.joe.org/joe/2002august/a6.shtml
Boyd, Barry L., Don R. Herring, and Gary E. Briers. (1992). “Developing life skills in youth.” Journal of Extension. 30 (4). www.joe.org/joe/1992winter/a4.html
Cantrell, Joy, Anne L. Heinsohn, and Melanie K Doebler. (1989). “Is it worth the costs?” Journal of Extension. 27(1). www.joe.org/joe/1989spring/a4.html
Clark, Charlie, Carol Wilcoxen, Cheryl Geitner, Dianne White, Sarah
Anderson, and Diane Baker. (1998). “Assessing leadership life skills gained through 4-
H.” Illinois Extension
Service.
Forsythe, Katie, Robert Matysik, and Karen Nelson. (2004) “Impact of the
4H camp counselor experience.” Department of Youth Development,
University of Wisconsin – Extension.
Gamon, Julia, and Ond Pedro Dehegedus-
Hetzel. (1994). “Swine project skill development.” Journal of Extension. 32(1). www.joe.org/joe/1994june/rb5.html

References (cont):
Investing in Wisconsin’s youth – 4-H youth development.” (2001)
Retrieved December 23, 2004 from UW-Extension Web site: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/admin/documents/youthvalue1.htm
Kress, Cathann A.. (2004.) “What does America need from 4-H?”
Prepared for Connecticut 4-H Newsletter. Retrieved December 23, 2004 from National 4-H Headquarters Web site: http://www.national4hheadquarters.gov/library/ct_article.pdf
Lackey, Jill Florence & Associates. “Evaluation of the Wisconsin 4-H animal science projects.” (2004.) A Youth Development Program of the
University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Ladewig, Howard and John Thomas. (1987). “Does 4-H make a difference?” The Texas A & M University System.
Lerner, Jacqueline. “4-H study on positive youth development.” Tufts
University. Retrieved December 23, 2004, from the California 4-H Youth
Development Program Web site: http://ca4h.org/4hresource/updates/attach/4HPYD.htm.
McLaughlin, M.W. (2000). “Community Counts: How youth organizations matter for youth development”, Executive Summary Abstract. Retrieved
January 11, 2005 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children & Families Web site: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/fysb/abstracts.htm

References (cont):
Mead, June, Eunice Rodriquez, Thomas Hirschl and Stephen Goggin.
(1999). Understanding the difference 4-H clubs make in the lives of New
York youth: How 4-H contributes to positive youth development. www.cce.cornell.edu/4h/resources/4-HClubStudy.htm
Miller, Jeffrey P. and Blannie E. Bowen. (1993). “Competency, coping, and contributory life skills development of early adolescents.” Journal of
Agricultural Education. Spring: 68-76. http://pubs.aged.tamu.edu/jae/pdf/Vol34/34-01-68.pdf
Russell, Stephen T. (2001). “The developmental benefits of nonformal education and youth development.” 4-H Center for Youth Development
Focus. The University of California, Davis.
Smith, Allan T., (2002). “4-H youth development facts in brief.” Retrieved
December 23, 2004 from National 4-H Headquarters Web site: http://4h.ifas.ufl.edu/newsandinfo/Stats/2002/4HFacts2002.pdf
“Texas 4-H impact assessment.” (2000) Retrieved June 30, 2004, from
University of Florida Extension Service Web site: http://4h.ifas.ufl.edu/newsandinfo/researchfindings.htm
Ward, Carol Knowlton. (1996). “Life skill development related to participation in 4-
H animal science projects.” Journal of Extension. 34(2). www.joe.org/joe/1996april/rb2.html