March Alumni & Friends eNews for California 4-H!

4-H Way: Message from Mary

Mary Ciricillo, Director of California 4-H Foundation

2022 has brought great news and good energy to our 4-H programs. It was exciting to learn that in-person 4-H activities, including travel and overnights, are resuming with updated Basic Safety Standards. And this week National 4-H Council received a transformational gift in the amount of $50 Million from MacKenzie Scott, American novelist and philanthropist, and her husband, Dan Jewett. Their gift is the largest single gift in the 120 year history of the 4-H program, and a true testament of their belief in the power of 4-H and the positive outcomes it provides youth throughout the nation.

Philanthropic support allows 4-H educators to provide opportunities for all youth, embracing innovation and honoring the diversity of our next generation of leaders. Please keep an eye out next month for the spring direct mail letter where you can make a gift to your local 4-H program, council, or the statewide program.

In addition, I hope you will participate in one or more of this spring’s campaigns including the JOANN Clovers for Kids Campaign which kicked off this month and runs through April 30th, and the spring Tractor Supply Paper Clover Campaign (April 27 – May 8). Thank you for your belief in, and support of, California 4-H youth!

4-H Community: California Shines

California 4-H Alumni Share the Impact of 4-H

In the fall of 2021, the UC 4-H Alumni Study Team collected 695 online survey responses from California 4-H alumni between the ages of 19 and 35. The survey was created to assess the impact of the 4-H youth development program on young adult outcomes including economic stability, health and well-being, and community involvement.

The results are overwhelmingly positive. 4-H Alumni reported higher rates than the general population for college and career readiness, satisfaction with mental health, voter turnout, volunteering, and connection to their communities. It is clear that the investment made in our 4-H youth benefits them as individuals and as citizens in our world.

Visit our social media channels linked below to see more infographics with statistics sharing the long lasting positive impact the 4-H youth development program has on participating youth in California.

4-H Programming: Looking Ahead

Local, statewide and national leaders of 4-H will develop and present both in-person and virtual learning opportunities to engage 4-H youth in California. We are excited to welcome back in-person opportunities for youth to network, collaborate and share with their peers.

2022 National 4-H Conference

Washington DC; March 20-24, 2022

Travel and conference expenses are paid for by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.

The National 4-H Conference is the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture's premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Participants will engage in roundtable discussions to explore current issues affecting youth and the role 4-H can play in addressing them. The conference will be led by Collegiate Facilitators (4-H alumni) with an expanded focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) for 4-H delegates, with conference participation reflective of our nation’s youth population. The conference provides the opportunity to engage with U.S. Senators and Representatives and present outcomes from discussions with federal partner agencies.

See video testimonials from past attendees and learn more about this high-level opportunity for youth to engage at the national level of 4-H. Go to the National 4-H Conference event page.

California 4-H State Field Day

Virtual: May 11 - 21, 2022

In-person: May 28, 2022

Award Ceremony: May 29, 2022 via Zoom and Facebook Live

This year both virtual and in-person options are being offered to give 4-H members a choice for how they want to participate.

The State 4-H Field Day is California’s largest educational event for 4-H youth members and volunteers. This event was initiated by a 4-H youth member and 4-H staff partner in 2002 as a public speaking evaluation activity for 100 youth. It has grown to include contests and activities engaging participants of all ages. 4-H youth and adult volunteers and staff partner to plan and implement all of the activities and contests. The goal of the event is to provide a culminating experience for 4-H members in their year-long 4-H education. Visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/sfd/ for more information.

4-H Giving: Donor Impact

2021 Year-End Fundraising Report

The show of support for 4-H programs across the state demonstrates the impact we are having in our communities and the value that donors place on our work.

Donations we received from the fall fundraising appeal, Tractor Supply, Joann's, and GivingTuesday will help us continue to present high quality programs, reaching youth across California and helping them get on a path of college and career readiness.

Again, thank you for your generosity and for inspiring kids to do!

The California 4-H Foundation is on Amazon Smile

If you shop on Amazon, it is easy to make your shopping benefit the California 4-H Foundation. Just start each shopping session at http://smile.amazon.com. Log into your Amazon account the way you normally do, then search for and select “California 4-H Foundation.” Bookmark the page and then every time you shop, 0.5% of your eligible purchases will support 4-H in California.

If you have questions or need help getting set up, you can contact Tammie Erhard, tlerhard@ucanr.edu or (530) 750-1301.

Thank you to our Sponsoring Partners

National Partners

For more ways to support California 4-H programs,

click the button below!

Make A Gift!