Digital Commons Network^™

Youth Sparks Via 4-H: Relations With Program Quality, Dosage, And Involvement, Alexandra Skrocki, Gary Ellis, Andrea Ettekal, Darlene Locke

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Using a statewide sample of participants in 4-H programs, we tested associations among youth sparks, program quality, program dosage, and four types of involvement (breadth of participation in out-of-school-time beyond 4-H, scope of learning strategies, degree of specialization, and cumulative program immersion). Participants were 180 Texas 4-H alumni who graduated from high school in 2013 and 2014 and had two or more years of involvement in Texas 4-H programs. Data were collected via an electronic questionnaire based on a database of former Texas 4-H members. Twelve hypotheses were tested, linking program quality to sparks through indirect and direct relations. Eleven …

Response To Continuing 4-H Youth Development In Sc During A Pandemic: The Sc 4-H@Home Program, Alana W. West, Abigail T. Phillips, Susan T. Guynn, Nathan Nemire, Joe Bible, T. Ashley Burns

The Journal of Extension

State mandates imposed by governors during COVID-19 affected extracurricular activities for children and youth. To continue providing 4-H programming during quarantine, Clemson Extension 4-H Youth Development Agents created the SC 4-H@Home program. Daily activities were developed that could be completed at-home using common household items and were delivered via email to registered participants. A survey was conducted at the conclusion of the program that included open- and closed-ended questions to gauge the effectiveness of the program. Results indicate that, overall, the SC 4-H@Home program was beneficial to youth and contributed to their education during the COVID-19 crisis.

Assessing 4-H And Its Circle Of Courage In A Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility: A Case Study, Elizabeth Steering

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

This 4-H case study takes place in a psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) in Kentucky. The PRTF provides clinical services to youth that are not able to be safely maintained in their homes due to having demonstrated unsafe or harmful behaviors. Youth admitted to the PRTF stay for an average of three to six months while they receive intensive therapeutic and psychiatric care as well as medical treatment and public schooling. The current case study incorporates programming from 4-H, which is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), …

Camp Is For Everyone: Intentional Inclusion Of Gender-Expansive Teens At Camp, Ashley M. Hernandez-Hall, Kimberly H. Zemel

Journal of Youth Development

Camp remains a powerful experience for youth of any age, but special care must be taken to ensure camps are supportive of diverse audiences. This article describes the process by which 4-H camp organizers created a welcoming and affirming camp for teen dependents of active duty, retired, or veteran military personnel, especially those campers who identified as non-binary or LGBTQ+. This included careful consideration of language used in recruitment documents, evaluation documents, volunteer and staff training, as well as communication with campers and families. Through careful planning and implementation, the 4-H adventure camps engaged over 90 teens, and survey results …

Importance Of The Access, Equity, And Opportunity Competencies Among 4-H Professionals, Matt Benge, Jeff Wayne Howard

Journal of Youth Development

The 4-H Professional Research, Knowledge and Competencies (PRKC) is a professional development framework that can be used to identify competency gaps and training needs of 4-H professionals. The PRKC consists of 6 competency domains, 1 being access, equity, and opportunity (AEO). A tailored design method was used to gather data and sort the respondents between rural and urban community type. 4-H Extension agents serving urban communities perceived 12 out of the 14 AEO domain components as more important than agents serving rural communities did. The 2 AEO domain components that were not significantly different in perceived importance were values, norms, …

A Self-Assessment Approach To Understanding 4-H Professional Development Needs In The Northeast, Marycarmen Kunicki, Marissa Staffen, Jennifer Cushman, Rachel E. Lyons, Lisa Phelps, Kevin Sullivan

Journal of Youth Development

In 2017, the National 4-H professional research, knowledge, and competencies (PRKC) taxonomy was updated reflecting the current needs of 4-H youth development professionals. Knowledge and skill gaps of 4-H professionals need to be identified to optimize resource allocation for professional development on the state and regional level. We developed a web-based self-assessment of the PRKC tool using Qualtrics, that evaluated the core competencies across the 6 PRKC domains: (a) youth development; (b) youth program development; (c) volunteerism; (d) equity, access, and opportunity; (e) partnerships; and (f) organizational systems. The responses from 188 Extension 4-H professionals (approximately a quarter of the …

A Case Of Shifting Focus Friction: Extension Directors And State 4-H Program Leaders’ Perspectives On 4-H Lgbtq+ Inclusion, Jeremy Elliott-Engel, Donna Westfall-Rudd, Eric Kaufman, Megan Seibel, Rama Radhakrishna

The Journal of Extension

Contemporary Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth are identifying and communicating their identities earlier in childhood than generations before as a result of more awareness and more acceptance of gender identity and sexual minorities by society. A qualitative study of U.S. 4-H program leaders and Extension directors generated an emergent theme around the importance of serving LGBT youth and the resulting implementation challenges. The administrators of 4-H, the largest youth serving organization in the country, recognize the presence of LGBTQ+ youth in 4-H and believe the organization must be inclusive. But challenges remain in ensuring youth experience inclusion at …

The Recognition Preferences Of Ontario County 4-H Volunteers, Sarah Bagley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The 4-H program relies on volunteers to deliver quality youth programing to the local community. Therefore, volunteer management is an important job of a 4-H educator. The Ontario County 4-H program utilizes 94 volunteers who serve a variety of roles within the program, and the retention of these volunteers is important to the program’s continued success. Older volunteer studies have found that volunteer recognition is an important aspect of volunteer satisfaction and retention. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the characteristics of current Ontario county 4-H volunteers, understand the underlying motivations and recognition preferences of these volunteers, determine if correlations …

4-H Youth Leaders: Acquisition Of Leadership Skills Based On Perceived Influence, Cathy Bartlett Gray Ma

All Student Scholarship

This study focuses on youth perceptions of influence on others and leadership skills they may seek to acquire, particularly within the Maine 4-H program. Understanding the relationship between the youth perception of leadership influence and the skills they seek to acquire will enable 4-H club leaders and adult mentors to better facilitate acquisition of leadership skills. This study gains understanding from the perspective of current teen leaders in the Maine 4-H program through the use of personal interviews with active teen leaders. Findings indicate that Maine 4-H Teen Leaders do not necessarily recognize the influence they have with their peers …

Kentucky 4-H Minimizes Barriers To Stem Education, Rachel Elizabeth Noble

Online Theses and Dissertations

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs are a national priority. The increase in the number of jobs that require a STEM-minded workforce raises the demand for education systems and communities to focus on fostering the development of STEM competencies of students. American youth are not gaining the skills necessary to compete in the global workforce. This study investigates how Kentucky 4-H minimizes the barriers of accessing STEM programs for youth in grades 4-8. Barriers of accessing STEM programs investigated are: lack of funding and resources, time, professional development, integration across curriculum, and out-of-school experiences. 4-H is the largest youth …

Farley, Seth Thomas, Jr., 1917-1999 (Mss 617), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 617. Correspondence, documents, news clippings and ephemera from Seth Thomas Farley, Jr., a life-long educator. This collection includes a good deal of information about Farley’s teaching career prior to his work as a professor at WKU, his involvement in organizations that fought alcoholism and gambling (particularly the lottery in Kentucky), his church work, and his service on a committee to choose a federal magistrate for the western district of Kentucky. The collection includes an entire box of assessment related material related to Fort Knox Dependent Schools in the mid-1960s.

Hosting An International Exchange Youth: The Influence On The Family, Mark Mains

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

This study explores how hosting an international exchange youth influences families. Participants in the study took part in a four-week summer exchange by hosting a middle school aged Japanese youth through the Kentucky 4-H/Labo program. Labo is a Japanese club program that encourages youth to learn about American culture through international travel. As society becomes more globalized, the skills and abilities associated with international travel are increasingly important (Anderson, Lawton, Rexeisen & Hubbard, 2006). Hosting international youth through exchange programs is one method of developing these skills and abilities. This qualitative study uses thematic analysis to analyze three primary data …

Characteristics Of 4-H Participants And Their Psychosocial Development, Lauralee Lyons

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Volunteerism is an important component in the 4-H program. It was initially used as a method to help agents reach the many youth interested in participating in 4-H. Community service has since become a required component for every club project. Research shows that volunteering can impact youth in many different ways. Other research shows that 4-H youth are more likely to contribute or do some type of community service.

The present study uses the Modified Extended Version of the Object Measure of Ego Identity Status (EOMEIS), the Cognitive Autonomy and Self-Evaluation (CASE) inventory, and an instrument specifically designed to study …

Citizenship Programs For 4-H In South Dakota, Philip Favero

Economics Staff Paper Series

Citizenship programming for 4-H was the topic for two workshops held at the annual convention of the 4-H Leaders Association in Mitchell, South Dakota on February 13, 1981. This paper describes insights and plans offered by the fifty-seven 4-H leaders and Cooperative Extension Service field and state staff members who participated in the workshops. A list of participants and their addresses is included as an appendix.

Leader's Guide, Fun In 4-H With Jack And Judy : Extension Circular 4-03-76, Leon Rottmann

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Presents the leader's role in facilitating the beginning home economics projects for 4-H.

Fun In 4-H With Jack And Judy : Extension Circular 4-01-75, Leon Rottmann

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Discusses general beginning Home Economics projects for 4-H.

Creative Clothing...Opening The Door : Extension Circular 4-10-75, Gail Skinner

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Discusses different aspects of sewing such as: color coordination, sewing machine vocabulary, tools used, correct posture, customization of clothing and hygiene for 4-H.

4-H Leads The Way; Extension Circular 0-05-74

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Circulars, EC00574, Pamphlet promoting 4-H

4-H What's It All About? : Extension Circular 0-76-73

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

You are a 4-H Leader. Congratulations for being selected, and for your willingness to serve youth! You will have both responsibilities and opportunities. You will gain untold satisfactions as you see boys and girls grow and develop. Boys and girls will look to you as their friend, teacher, guide and helper. Your job will be challenging and rewarding. You may have been a 4-H member yourself, or you may have heard of 4-H only recently. As a leader you will want to know what 4-H is all about. Let's look at it.

4-H is a voluntary, educational program designed to …

Information About The Nebraska 4-H Camp

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Discusses and illustrates the Nebraska 4-H camp in Halsey, NE.

Games : Fun For Folks : Extension Circular 0-04-2, Willa E. Morava

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

A description of games that can be played at 4-H meetings.

Rural Life Sunday : Extension Circular 0-49-2

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Discusses the origin of 4-H Sunday which encourages members to attend a church of their choice. Includes suggestions for participation in church activities.

Writing 4-H News : Extension Circular 0-32-2, Dick Fleming, Dan Lutz

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Discusses the who, what, when, where, why, how of reporting 4-H news.

Let's Sew : Extension Circular 4-10-70, Gerda Petersen

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Discusses and illustrates all aspects of 4-H sewing; from the parts of the machine to hemming and preparing for a more difficult project.

4-H Animal Nutrition : Extension Circular 2-11-69, Dave C. Williams, Phil H. Cole

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Manual and lessons for teaching and assessing knowledge of animal nutrition.

Games That People Play : Extension Circular 0-04-69

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Games that can be played at club meetings.

4-H Dairy Beginning Manual--Grade School Age (4,5,6) : Extension Circular 2-51-68, Philip H. Cole

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Beginning manual for raising dairy cows in grades 4,5,6.

4-H Animal Nutrition : Extension Circular 2-11-66

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Booklet discussing all aspects of animal nutrition.

Good Lighting For Advanced 4-H Electrification Club Members And Leaders : Extension Circular 7-71-2, M. L. Mumgaard

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

You are about to participate in a 4-H project for members who have taken first-year electrification. During the year you will be expected to do the following: (1) Become acquainted with the principles of good lighting, and how to apply them. (2) Become acquainted with the various methods of lighting. (3) Select some room in your home or farm buildings that needs some improvement for good lighting and make at least one needed improvement. (4) Make or remodel a light unit for indoor or outdoor use. This unit may be a portable light, a study center, a light fixture, or …

4-H Range Management Project--Unit 2, Grades 7-9 : Extension Circular 1-32-65, John Valentine

Nebraska 4-H Clubs: Historical Materials and Publications

Curriculum set up for Unit 2 grades 7-9 of this Range management project in 4-H.