October 4, 2001

National 4-H Week Celebrated Oct. 7- 13

The celebration of National 4-H week starting Sunday is a chance for 4-H members and volunteers to show the public what opportunities there are through 4-H youth development programs.

4-H is the world’s largest youth serving organization with almost 7 million participants in all 50 states and over 80 countries worldwide. Membership in North Dakota is 38,680 youth and 5,495 adult volunteers. "4-H offers more than 200 projects and activities to choose from for youth ages 5 to 19," according to Nels Peterson, North Dakota State University Extension Service 4-H centennial coordinator. "The 4-H curriculum is research based and provides learning opportunities from aerospace to zoology and everything in between."

The 4-H program initially focused on agricultural projects but has followed the needs and interests of young people into urban and suburban communities. "Young people are given the opportunity to engage in activities that hold their personal interest while being guided by adult volunteers. I’d like to encourage adults to volunteer as local 4-H leaders. National 4-H week is also a chance for us to thank all of our 4-H friends, partners and donors."

The year 2002 is a landmark year for the 4-H program as it celebrates its centennial year. As part of the centennial celebration, 4-H is leading conversations in every county of the country. Patterned after successful national conferences on small business and aging, the National Conversation will capture the best ideas and programs for youth development in the 21^st century.

"The conversations will be presented, in report form, to President George W. Bush, his cabinet and Congress," Peterson says. "4-H intends to engage the nation in positive youth development programs, address youth problems, build youth skills, generate civic involvement and create better communities."

"This may be the largest single undertaking in the first 100 years of 4-H. It’s exciting to be involved in something that will have a dramatic impact on the young people of our communities."

The conversations will use discussion guides developed by a design team of youth and adults representing the Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H, the National 4-H Council, academia and other youth development organizations.

To find out more about 4-H call your local county extension agent or go to www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/4-h.htm on the Web.

###

Source: Nels Peterson, (701) 247-2521, npeterso@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu