AMES, Iowa – Iowa 4-H has a new look online, and tech-savvy teens say it’s “better than Facebook.”

“That was the quote from our State 4-H Technology Team when they ‘test-drove’ the new Iowa 4-H Web site last week,” said Shelly Greving, marketing coordinator for the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

The site, www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/, includes an interactive map to help kids and teens connect with 4-H, project links, games, event calendars, an interactive networking site for members and more, Greving explained.

Find a 4-H Club uses interactive Google Maps to help kids find 4-H contact information within their county. This feature will be expanded over the next few months to include links to all Iowa 4-H clubs.

Project Pages include links, exhibit ideas and community service ideas for each 4-H project area.
 
Why 4-H features current 4-H members and why they have chosen 4-H. Roll over each of their photos to see their quotes about the impact 4-H has had on their lives.
 
Teen Network is a ning site specifically for teens (ages 13-18) who are in 4-H to connect, network, share photos and videos and talk about their 4-H experiences.  It’s a community with content generated by 4-H youth for 4-H youth. Teens must be 4-H members to participate in this social network.
 
The new 4-H site also includes an expanded search feature and information for parents, teachers and 4-H volunteers, Greving added.

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ABOUT THE IOWA 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM -- 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. One quarter of Iowa’s young people are involved in 4-H. In Iowa, 4-H Youth Development is headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames. For more information about joining 4-H, contact your Iowa State University Extension county office at www.extension.iastate.edu/content/county-offices/ or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4H.