4-H Has Grown With Youths Over Century

Monday, March 18, 2002 - The Lakeland Ledger
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By ADAM PUTNAM

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 challenged Americans to redefine the roles of "hero" and "leader" in our culture. We now understand more fully that the leadership qualities exhibited by adults are initially cultivated during youth through activities emphasizing citizenship, teamwork, character and self-confidence. In this changed environment it is important that we stop to consider, who will become our leaders of tomorrow? While the answer seems simple -- today's youths -- there are innumerable paths to acquiring the leadership skills necessary to become tomorrow's police and fire department captains, teachers, ministers and rabbis, mayors and presidents, and corporate CEOs.

There are many adults who may play an important role in helping our youths develop those skills, including parents, teachers, coaches and volunteers. Likewise, there are many organizations that provide our youths with opportunities to apply these skills in real-life situations, including school, athletics, churches and community-based organizations. One organization provided me with both and, therefore, was a driving force in helping me accomplish many of my personal and professional goals: 4-H.

This year, 4-H commemorates its 100th anniversary as one of America's oldest and most influential youth development organizations. I am proud to be one of more than 50 million 4-H alumni who benefited from this fantastic public-private partnership.

As a 10-year member, 4-H taught me the citizenship and leadership skills I use today and exposed me to volunteers and mentors who helped to mold me. I began as an 8-year-old showing a Hereford bull and worked up through the program to become president of the Florida 4-H Foundation. My experiences shaped my outlook on life and prepared me for the world way beyond county fairs and livestock shows. From public speaking to running an organized meeting,

4-H continues to instill a set of life skills in today's youths.

Since its inception, 4-H has changed with America. When the organization was founded 100 years ago, the U.S. economy was largely agriculture-based. So, too, were many of 4-H's programs. Yet, just as our nation's economy-and the interests of America's youths-have grown more diverse, so, too, have the organization's programs. Today, 4-H has a presence in every county in America and offers more than 1,000 programs ranging from robotics and biotechnology to skateboarding and, yes, plants and animals. 4-H membership reflects the diversity of America. Today, 30 percent of 4-H youths represent minority populations, which is the fastest-growing segment of our membership. Thirty-five percent of 4-H's members reside in the nation's cities and suburban areas, whereas only one in 10 members lives on America's farms.

What has remained unchanged about 4-H is the commitment of its volunteer leaders who teach 4-Hers lifelong skills centered around teamwork, citizenship and the benefits of community service. These skills are priceless and represent the essential framework in which the leaders are developed.

In true form, 4-H is commemorating its centennial not by erecting a monument to itself, but by making a gift to America, which is to identify the needs of our communities nationwide and to develop a youth-led action plan that addresses these needs. Therefore, 4-H is sponsoring a series of local, state and national conversations uniting youths, adults, community and civic leaders throughout America to discuss ways to improve their communities. The findings of these conversations will serve as the basis for the action plan, which will be delivered to President Bush, members of Congress, governors and others in April.

An outgrowth of the conversations is the Power of Youth Pledge Campaign, a nationwide drive to encourage youths and adults to volunteer their time in service to their local communities. More than one million hours have been pledged thus far, and another million hours are expected to be pledged.

The 4-H motto is "To Make The Best Better." Not only has 4-H continued to make our youths better citizens over the years, the organization has successfully challenged itself to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. At a time when the need for leadership has never been greater, I cannot imagine an organization serving a more important role in our society.