Posted: March 22, 2024
During Pennsylvania 4-H Week, March 17-23, the 4-H State Council announced this year's theme to guide program participants: "Unlocking the Power Within."
According to the State Council team, the theme is aimed at encouraging youth to build their confidence, motivation and ambition to reach their goals in life. Over the next year, State Council challenges 4-H members to use 4-H to unlock their power and potential within.
From animal science to STEM, Pennsylvania 4-H offers dozens of project areas. State Council encourages participating youth to submit their stories of how 4-H has helped them grow in life.
Jeanette Stackhouse, Penn State Extension 4-H education specialist for leadership and civic engagement, serves as advisor to the State Council. She appealed to 4-H members to help State Council spread stories of how 4-H empowered them in their project areas.
"Your story will then be used to show how 4-H can help youth unlock their own power within," she said.
The council is a premier group of young people selected from around the state as the official spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program.
"State Council is the highest youth leadership opportunity in Pennsylvania 4-H," Stackhouse said. "These young people give a year of their time to serve a program that has had an impact on them."
Throughout their yearlong term, these individuals plan state-level events, such as the 4-H State Leadership Conference and SLC Junior. Council members represent the program at various events around the state, including the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Penn State's Ag Progress Days.
They also discuss the program with government officials, industry representatives, community organizations, Penn State leadership, and external stakeholders. In addition, they promote opportunities to current 4-H members and volunteers, while working to grow the program and introduce it to new families.
Council members serve as role models in teaching their peers and younger 4-H'ers about leadership and engage in professional development activities to enhance their own skills.
Serving on the council offers opportunities to learn about government and develop further skills in public speaking, time management, and team building.
More information about the 4-H State Council is available on the Penn State Extension 4-H website.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
