Leadership & Civic Engagement Programs

Photos of youth in Washington D.C. at the State capitol and images of public speaking plauqes. Words 'Beyond Ready' in the corner

Our Goal

UConn 4-H is committed to providing young people with access to leadership and civic engagement programs. Not only do these programs educate young people about issues that affect them and those around them but also empower them to be voices of change and active participants in positively directing what happens around them. Local, state and national 4-H events are key parts of instilling this growth. Through these events, youth are shown how to build skills to achieve lifelong success. 

Why Support Now

  • 65% of youth said 4-H is influential in their desire for community engagement. (National Index Study of 4-H Youth 2024).  
  • 4-H youth are 4X more likely to positively contribute to their community and 2X more likely to be civically active. (4-H Study of Positive Youth Development). 
  • 22,825 youth with served in UConn 4-H in 2023-2024, equipping them with skills for the future.  

      Funding Priorities

      1. National 4-H Conference

      • Participants learn to use their voices, talents, and ideas to make a positive difference. Youth are empowered to generalize what is learned to affect change in their own communities.  
      • Focus areas: leadership, civic engagement, and cultural competence. 

        2. National 4-H Congress

          • Delegates develop leadership skills, participate in a service-learning project, hear outstanding speakers, and tour sites of historical and national significance in the heart of Atlanta, GA.  
          • Focus areas: leadership, community networking, service learning 

          3. Ignite by 4-H

              • Delegates focus on their chosen track by listening to subject matter experts, as well as participating in hands-on workshops and offsite experiences in the heart of Washington, DC. 
              • Focus areas: civic education, STEM, Agri-science, healthy living 

                4. National 4-H Dairy Conference

                  • Participants experience workshops, speakers, educational field trips and networking with dairy industry professionals, providing 4-Hers with information to strengthen their futures in the dairy industry.  
                  • Focus areas: Agri-science, animal health, dairy production and marketing