UF/IFAS Extension Initiative 7: 4-H Youth Development

Targeting Life Skills in 4-H

Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan

Do a Visual Presentation

Stacey Ellison

This publication covers the method of delivery, the plan, the visuals, how to look sharp and to have a sharp presentation.  

Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training Guide

Jessica Altum Cooper

Reviewing Youth Development Principles

Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan

Because 4-H is the youth development arm of Land Grant University outreach, 4-H youth development professionals are responsible for knowing and applying to their programs the most current and valid information regarding support for the growth and development of the youth in their communities.

4-H FAQs

Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan

This article answers common questions about 4-H in Florida.

Introducing 4-H Youth Development

Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan

Youth development has been defined as an ongoing process through which young people attempt to meet their needs and to develop the competencies they perceive as necessary for survival and transition to adulthood. Positive Youth Development is development that is positive and productive for both youth and their communities.

Promising Practices for Working With Youth With Disabilities

Vanessa Spero, Darcy Cole, Vera Bullard, Jennifer Cushman, Tara Dorn, Kelsey Dugan, Crystal Perry, and Jennifer Taylor-Winney

The most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics report that 15% of individuals aged 3–21 are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This means that 15% of youth are diagnosed with a disability that has the potential to affect their success academically and in the workforce.  As a youth development organization, 4-H programs should anticipate at least 15% of their population, if not more, to have a diagnosed disability. As youth development professionals, we are tasked with meeting the needs of youth with disabilities through proactive and reactive planning strategies. This also includes professionals being flexible, accommodating, and ready to foster Positive Youth Development best practices.

The Value of 4-H to Youth in Florida and Beyond

Keith G. Diem

To maximize the strengths of the 4-H Youth Development Program and to promote its value to the public and funding agencies, Extension staff must know the value of 4-H as it is perceived by others. Since parents are key stakeholders in the 4-H program because they approve of their children being members and they are taxpayers and voters, this descriptive survey research involving a randomly selected sample of parents of 4-H club members in Florida aimed to determine what value 4-H brings to youth members, what problems 4-H faces, and what other beliefs parents have about 4-H.

The Extension Services-237: Everything You Need to Know

Matthew Olson and Andrew Toelle

The Extension Services-237 (ES-237) is a report of University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension that consists of statistics for youth ages 5–18 participating in UF/IFAS Extension youth programs and the volunteers providing service to these programs. Family Nutrition Programs (FNP) are the only youth Extension programs that are exempt from ES-237 reporting. In Florida, an annual ES-237 report is completed for each UF/IFAS Extension County office based off total 4-H enrollments entered into 4-H Online. County reports are compiled into a single state report and submitted to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

UF/IFAS Extension Florida 4-H Youth Protection Policy

Candi Dierenfield, Kathryn Hartman, Janet Waters, Matthew Olson, and Sophia Andrews

Updated UF/IFAS Extension Florida 4-H Youth Protection Policy

Strategies to Engage 4-H Parents

Julia S. Kelly

Parent engagement makes a significant impact on a 4-H club’s success in fostering the development of targeted life skills in youth participants. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development Program presents 13 concrete strategies for engaging with parents and also addresses some potential challenges with communicating with parents. Written by Julia S. Kelly.

4-H Agent Guide for Managing the Approval, Denial, and Releasing of Volunteers in Florida 4-H

Andrew Toelle, Heather Kent, and Sophia Cooney

The purpose of these Volunteer Management Guidelines is to provide Extension faculty assistance with approving, denying, and releasing volunteers. This document contains several example letters that may be used and other useful tools to assist you with this process. It also demonstrates steps in approving, denying, and releasing volunteers. Written by Andrew Toelle, Heather Kent, and Sophia Cooney; 7 pp.

Utilizing Mindfulness as an Evening Reflection at Residential Camp

Heather Janney

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Youth development