Leadership Development Pillars

Community engagement for 4-H’ers is about being involved in their school, neighborhood, town or city, and doing their best to make a positive impact by communicating thoughts, ideas, and solutions to challenges they see in the world around them. From building their confidence as a public speaker to volunteering their time at local events, they are able to demonstrate community leadership through 4-H. 

This generation of youth— Generation Z—is shaping and redefining how we communicate, from the technology we use to the words we write, to the way we talk with each other. 4-H believes in the ability of youth to make a meaningful difference both locally and globally. We work to ensure they have an authentic voice at the table. 

The opportunities are endless for active community involvement and positive change.

Through 4-H, youth can:

• Make a positive difference in the world around them
• Look for ways to lend a hand and to take action
• Speak up for what matters to them and help others to do the same
• Be a role model for the change they want to see in the world
• Connect to their peers in their community, across Canada and around the world

Examples of Community Engagement & Communications 4-H projects: 

• Junior Leadership
• Adopt-a-Grandparent
• Judging
• Public Speaking
• Events and Entertaining
• Paintballing
• Street Buskers!
• Babysitting
• Creative Writing

Science and technology impact our lives in so many ways. As agriculture evolves and farming practices become more modern and sustainable, we have STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) to thank for these innovations.

4-H believes that learning about the fascinating world of science and technology is important and will help youth make choices in the future. Choices about their careers, our food and the health of our planet. 

Through our science and technology programming, 4-H youth can dive right into hands-on, inquiry-based projects and activities that spark their curiosity by:

• Engaging in the science and technology world
• Exploring ideas and career opportunities related to STEM
• Explaining how systems work and how agriculture and other key industries are benefiting from STEM innovations
• Expanding their minds through experiential, inquiry-based learning

Examples of Science & Technology projects:

• Welding
• Small Engines
• Engineering
• Veterinary Science 
• Farm Tractor/Machinery
• Rocketry
• Bicycle
• Geocaching
• Astronomy

4-H has deep roots in rural agricultural communities and was founded on the innovation and energy of youth engaged in those communities. 4-H continues to build awareness of agricultural practices globally and showcase opportunities in the industry.

As global citizens, youth are more and more interested in where their food comes from, how it is grown and produced, and how to feed a growing global population sustainably. Through 4-H, youth can explore these issues and more. Youth engagement in this global issue is vital to understanding the food we grow and eat. 

With youth at the table, we are confident there will be so many creative and innovative solutions for feeding the planet.

Through 4-H, they can:

• Appreciate and learn about the food we eat and grow
• Explore innovative and sustainable farming practices
• Discover new ways of improving nutrition and food security
• Exchange ideas and solutions both locally and globally!

Examples of Community Engagement & Communications 4-H projects: 

• Animal and livestock projects 
• Horse
• Beef
• Sheep
• Goat 
• Rabbit
• Canine
• Field Crops
• Aquaculture
• Gardening
• Beekeeping
• Fishing

4-H is all about healthy living! Our programs and projects promote the health and well-being of youth, their community and our planet. It’s important for youth to be knowledgeable about their own health, what influences healthy living and how to support others in taking care of themselves.

Being aware of the environmental impact of our everyday behavior, routines and habits are a responsibility youth take very seriously.

Through experiential and outdoor educational programming, 4-H offers opportunities for them to:

• Be stewards of the environment and develop sustainable solutions
• Take care of themselves and others
• Learn positive ways to stay healthy and active
• Make informed choices about their health and the health of the planet
• Dig in and get their hands dirty!

Examples of The Environment and Healthy Living 4-H Projects:

• Outdoor living
• Creative Arts
• Leathercraft
• Sewing
• Photography
• Woodworking and Carving
• Cake decorating
• Bird Watching
• Archery