Youth development programs like 4-H play a critical role in equipping young people with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the workforce and beyond. As the future workforce faces increasingly complex challenges and critical issues, it is important to understand the impacts of programs like 4-H. Working with a team of amazing colleagues we developed and validated the Impacts of 4-H Scale, an instrument to measure the program's contributions to positive youth development, identifying key areas where 4-H fosters growth in its participants.
Key Findings
Sense of Belonging: Participants reported that 4-H fostered a strong sense of connection, influenced by supportive volunteers and engaged alumni, which contributed to their personal and leadership growth.
Caring and Citizenship: Opportunities to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and engage in service-learning projects helped participants develop empathy and a commitment to civic engagement.
Workforce Readiness: Through experiential learning, participants gained competencies like public speaking, planning, and teaching, preparing them for success in professional environments.
Practical Recommendations
Evaluate Program Impact: Use the validated Impacts of 4-H Scale to assess the effectiveness of 4-H programs, ensuring alignment with positive youth development goals.
Expand Inclusivity: Foster diverse learning environments and promote meaningful interactions among participants from varied backgrounds.
Enhance Workforce Preparation: Integrate opportunities for participants to develop transferable skills relevant to future careers, emphasizing experiential learning.
The validated Impacts of 4-H Scale provides a reliable framework for measuring the program’s success and identifying areas for improvement. By using this tool, stakeholders can ensure that 4-H continues to prepare youth for success while fostering personal growth, a commitment to service, while strengthening communities and the future workforce. Please be sure to share your insights using the comments below. I've also attached the full manuscript if you would like to read more.
Lamm, K. W., Pike, L., Edgar, D. W., & Powell, A. (2022). Evaluating the impacts of 4-H participation: Development and preliminary validation of a scale. Journal of Agricultural Education, 63(2), 115-126. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2022.02115