4-H Youth Development
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Valyn Bodensteiner
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Sara Nelson, state STEM specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will join the NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium leadership team as assistant director for education and outreach.
As COVID-19 safety considerations have led to the postponement of the 2020 Iowa State Fair, a decision on 4-H youth learning exhibits is still underway.
The Iowa State Fairgrounds will host a Fair Special Edition: Iowa 4-H and FFA Livestock Show this summer, following the postponement of the 2020 Iowa State Fair. The revised schedule for 4-H livestock shows will be spread out over three weeks and held Thursday through Saturday – Aug. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22.
A special exhibition, 4-H Show Iowa, will provide state level recognition to partially replace the loss of learning opportunities due to the postponement of this year’s Iowa State Fair. Included in these virtual celebrations are 4-H Exhibits, Communication Events and the Awardrobe Clothing Selection.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, county fair boards across the state are partnering with county extension councils and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff to create safe, quality 4-H county fair experiences for youth. In some counties, that means postponing the entire fair or canceling many activities, focusing only on youth shows and moving activities to a virtual platform. Others are moving forward with some type of in-person experience for youth, though it may be limited.
To highlight the importance of youth in agriculture, Fareway has partnered with Iowa 4-H and FFA to wrap a semi-trailer promoting the two youth development organizations. The semi-trailer will be showcased at select locations in Iowa, before permanently hitting the road later this summer.
STEM Bags containing hands-on activities for families are available for free at the La Luz Centro Cultural, 7 2nd Ave. NE, Hampton, Iowa, during food bank hours on Sept. 28.
Registration is now open for families to sign up for the free, On Their Own and OK program, offered virtually this fall.
In the midst of many changes over the last year, two teams of youth showcased their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, competing in the second annual AgOvation program finals. The research-based 4-H competition challenges youth to explore and develop innovative, science-based solutions to agricultural problems that they identify in their own communities.
When you are trying to connect with newcomers, it helps to speak their language. Café con Amigos de Extensión is a platform for interested ISU Extension and Outreach staff to practice their Spanish skills and learn how to better use them in the workplace when delivering 4-H youth development programming.