Oct 08, 2024

This week, we celebrate National 4-H Week and the incredible impact the organization offers young people around the country. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), we pay special tribute to this observance as the 4-H Youth Development program is headquartered in USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This unique partnership with NIFA, the Cooperative Extension System through land-grant universities and the National 4-H Council empowers young people to lead for a lifetime.

Among USDA’s nearly 100,000 employees, many are proud 4-H alumni who attribute their career success to what they learned as members and past leaders in 4-H. Tyler Tucker, special advisor to the USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, was a lifelong 4-H member. He reflected on the personal and professional growth he experienced through 4-H programming, leadership opportunities, community volunteering, and serving as a county Extension staff member.

“4-H provides young people the opportunity to explore personal career interests while serving their communities, practicing decision-making, and building strong friendships,” Tucker said. “Because of these experiences, I have been able to give back by supporting 4-H on the federal level through my service at USDA. By investing in 4-H, we are ensuring a stronger, more productive society for our nation’s future.”

Adrian Hendricks, a USDA Liaison, remarked on his previous role working with the 4-H organization for 15 years as an Extension agent in Missouri. “For many kids across the United States, 4-H has become the embodiment of family and is the place where skills are learned, hope is forged, life-changing experiences are born, and brotherhood and sisterhood are cultivated into friendships that last a lifetime,” he said. “My time with 4-H has strengthened my understanding of the importance and the mission of ‘The People’s Department’ — USDA.”

USDA has supported youth development for the past 110 years, and 4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with lifetime leadership skills. 4-H uses experiential learning—learning by doing—as a primary teaching approach to learn life skills such as leadership, citizenship, community service, STEM education and public speaking. Membership is open to all youth beginning at age 8 or fourth grade. Land-grant university Extension 4-H offices deliver local programs. Additionally, military 4-H clubs offer quality educational experiences that allow youth to continue their 4-H work wherever they move when their parents are deployed. Find your local 4-H chapter at National 4-H Council.

From all of us at USDA, Happy National 4-H Week!