Jefferson County Extension promotes more community and youth involvement

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Jefferson County strives to meet the needs of all Iowans through research based programming and education. One of its program areas is the 4-H Youth Development Program which serves youth in Kindergarten through 12th grade. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States. Jefferson County 4-H has over 250 members. The 4-H program relies heavily on Youth-Adult Partnerships. Adult volunteers serve in a wide variety of roles such as club leaders, project leaders, summer programming, committee members etc.

The Jefferson County Extension Council is excited to announce a restructured 4-H & Youth Committee. The restructure is designed to promote more community & youth involvement, assist the existing committees in being more efficient, as well as protect existing volunteers from burnout. This transition has already begun and the goal is to be fully transitioned within the next couple of months.

The 4-H Youth Committee is youth and adults from the county who are committed to taking an active role in the decision-making, planning, conducting and evaluating of county 4-H programs. Currently the volunteers are active in every role, and meet as one large committee monthly. The restructure is designed for each volunteer to be active in one or two sub-committees that they are passionate about. Focusing on one or two sub-committees will help to reduce volunteer burnout.

Ashtin Walker County Youth Coordinator commented, 'Our volunteers contribute so much to our successful 4-H program in Jefferson County; their ideas, their passion and their energy is so important in meeting the needs of the youth.”

As of now the new sub-committees include Program Growth, Recruitment, Retention/Recognition, Livestock, Non-Livestock Projects, Showmanship, and Fundraising.

Program Growth: Plan and develop a county 4-H program based on the needs of youth and the county.

Recruitment: Be an advocate for the 4-H program and help to increase membership.

Retention & Recognition: Help support membership and show appreciation to youth and adults.

Livestock: Play a vital roles with livestock projects before, during, and after the county fair.

Non-Livestock Projects: Play vital roles with non-livestock projects (photography, food & nutrition & creative arts etc.) before, during, and after the county fair.

Showmanship: Help to host clinics before county fair and recognize youth at county fair.

Fundraising: Secure funds to support the county 4-H youth program.

Jefferson County 4-H welcomes volunteers of any ability. Please call 641-472-4166 to speak to Ashtin Walker the Jefferson County Youth Coordinator about how your passion can be utilized to help the Jefferson County 4-H program grow.