The 4-H Youth Development movement has accumulated a wealth of practical experience related to supporting and developing young people in rural areas. That is why 4-H’s Rural Youth Development programs continue to empower rural youth, giving them the skills and tools they need to strengthen and sustain their communities.

Through opportunities provided by the USDA Rural Youth Development Grant Program, National 4-H Council collaborates with a nationwide network of land-grant college and university partners to lead the charge for positive youth development tailored to the unique needs of rural youth.

Engaging Youth, Serving Community began with a grassroots effort to recognize the 4-H Centennial in 2002. As a result, the National Conversation on Positive Youth Development in the 21^st Century brought together youth and adults in local communities, at the state level, and finally in Washington, D.C. to discuss how to develop a positive future for youth in America’s communities.

The following national goals were established:

• empower rural communities to involve youth as partners in decision-making and governance
• improve the quality of afterschool programs in rural communities by increasing the competencies of providers and integrating 4-H curricula
• provide professional staff and volunteer development to increase the capacity of regions, states, and local communities to accomplish the first two goals.

Engaging Youth, Serving Community aims to impart youth with the life skills and experience they need to emerge as effective leaders and contributing members of society.

Another objective is to improve the ability of youth and adults to collaborate with diverse community members to identify local issues and develop strategies for addressing them.

The end result is that young people and adults will begin to have a more positive attitude toward the role of youth in communities.

View reports and information on past projects.