Starting from the Bottom: How to Revitalize and Grow an Inactive 4-H Program
4-H and Youth Programming
Daniel Leonard
County Extension Director
UF/IFAS Calhoun County Extension
Blountstown
Abstract
Calhoun County is a small, rural county in the Florida Panhandle. Historically, many families were involved in agriculture, lived on small farms, and were involved in the local 4-H program. However, that tradition faded over time, the county Extension program stagnated, and by 2019, the Calhoun County 4-H program had dwindled to 0 clubs, 5 active volunteers, and 9 youth. Due to the overwhelming positive benefits of 4-H on youth development, revitalizing the county 4-H program was a priority for the Board of County Commissioners, UF/IFAS Extension Administration, and the new CED (hired in fall 2019). The CED and the District 4-H Regional Specialized Agent began a county 4-H program review in October 2019. This review found clear program deficiencies in volunteer recruitment, club involvement, non-club program activities, and overall visibility in the community. The review also outlined benchmarks to be met, including a minimum of 5 new active clubs, 5 new volunteers recruited annually, 5 summer day camps, and 50 youth enrolled in 4-H. During the search for the next 4-H agent, emphasis was placed on hiring a motivated, outgoing individual with a love for youth and community. After identifying and selecting the new agent, she and the CED developed a strategic plan based on a local needs assessment for resetting and growing the program. The plan included a comprehensive outreach campaign, increased community/in-school presence, reimplementation of the 4-H club model, volunteer recruitment initiative, and a tiered sponsorship program to improve program funding. The Calhoun County Extension team has successfully revitalized the county 4-H program over the past three years. There are now 11 active clubs (0 in 2020), 84 volunteers (1580% increase), 60 youth registered in clubs (567% increase), 739 youth enrolled in other 4-H projects (over 1/3 of all county youth), and the program is receiving $2,700 in ongoing annual community sponsorships. By developing a strategic plan based on local needs assessment, hiring well, and providing the new agent with mentoring and other resources needed to be successful, the 4-H program has become a thriving hub of youth education and life skills development in Calhoun County.
Authors: Daniel Leonard, Claire Davis
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Daniel Leonard County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32424
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Claire Davis 4-H Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Florida, 32424