May 14, 2002

NDSU President Joseph Chapman Receives 4-H Report

Results from the 4-H "National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century" and the North Dakota’s portion of the effort were presented today to North Dakota State University President Joseph Chapman. The NDSU President served along with Governor John Hoeven as honorary co-chairs of the North Dakota conversation.

The conversations included youth, parents, teachers clergy and government leaders discussed steps that could be taken to impact youth development and make communities better places for youth. The conversations started at the county level to develop recommendations, went to a state level and eventually developed into a national conversation and report.

Key findings of the North Dakota conversation:

• Create youth leadership opportunities.
• Increase opportunities for youth and adult partnerships.
• Invest in key learning environments and programs.
• Shared leadership for youth, family and community well being.
• Develop adult role models and mentoring.

Key strategies developed from the national report:

• Involve youth directly in creating policy and making decisions at all levels of government and society.
• Seek multi-cultural acceptance and unity for all families, lifestyles and settings.
• Provide safe and inviting environments for a variety of learning strategies.
• Attract and retain exceptional people to youth development.
• Build collaboration among youth organizations and across government programs impacting young people.

The report to President Chapman included several key findings from the national conversation:

• Establish a National Office of Youth, a National Youth Advocate, or other youth advocates within each federal department agency.
• Design programs, educational opportunities and public relations initiatives to promote knowledge of and celebration for our diversity.
• Expand the use of mentoring, work-based and community service-learning and technology so that each young person reaches his or her full potential.
• Increase compensation and professional development opportunities for staff. Provide training, support and incentives to expand the quality and number of volunteers needed to fully serve America’s young people.
• Maximize the resources invested in youth development by creating procedures across youth development organizations and agencies that improve coordination and eliminate duplication.

The youth conversation report, the first of its kind, is being held in conjunction with 4-H’s centennial celebration this year. "Results of the conversation are 4-H’s gift to the nation during this centennial year," according to Linda Crow, 4-H Youth Development Center curriculum specialist.

Making the presentation to President Chapman were Rodney Bischof Jr. of Lisbon and Heather Haugen of Fargo. They were accompanied by Crow and Brad Cogdill, Center for 4-H Youth Development Center interim director.

While reviewing the report, President Chapman noted that the report ties in well with the central themes of the university. A 4-H conference will be held on the NDSU campus in June at which time 4-H members will discuss how the final report can be implemented. "There is still a great deal of work to do in implementing the plan," Cogdill says.

The national report was presented today to Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and members of congress. The report was presented to President George W. Bush in April.

North Dakota has 38,680 4-H members and 5,495 volunteers.

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Source: Linda Crow, (701) 231-7253, lcrow@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, rmattern@ndsuext.nodak.edu