Ames, Iowa – Iowa 4-H program club memberships increased during the 2017-2018 program year to over 23,000 young people in grades 4-12. This means more Iowa youth worked in partnership with caring adults through a 4-H club experience.
An additional 7,400 youth in grades K-3 had fun learning and exploring a wide variety of topics as members of the Iowa 4-H Clover Kids program. This is a 9 percent increase over the previous year.
Iowa 4-H is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Nationally, 4-H is the largest youth organization out there with more than 6 million young people and adult volunteers. There are almost 1,500 4-H clubs in Iowa.
The Iowa 4-H Youth Development program provides young people with leadership roles, giving them an opportunity to partner with staff and volunteers in the planning and implementation of their projects and programs. These engaging, hands-on educational activities and experiences encourage young people to explore the world around them and get excited about potential future career opportunities.
Andrea Nelson, an ISU Extension and Outreach interim state 4-H leader says, “The Iowa 4-H Youth Development program is a community. Our state and county 4-H youth professionals partner with nearly 7,000 gifted and talented adult volunteers who serve as club leaders, event volunteers and project area leaders year-round. Their dedication enables these Iowa youth to learn and discover things about their world and about themselves that will have a lasting impression.”
Iowa 4-H gives young people the opportunity to pursue their own interests, from photography to robotics, clothing design to veterinary science, or any subject that inspires them to learn and do. For more information on becoming a member of the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.
