Dunn County 4-H and Positive Youth Development
Welcome to Dunn County 4-H!
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
For more than a century, Wisconsin has been a leader in 4-H youth development, giving young people throughout the state an opportunity to learn new skills, gain self-confidence and contribute to their communities. Using real-life experiences from a team of devoted educators and volunteers, 4-H members benefit from leadership training, community-building experiences and experiential-learning opportunities to better their own lives and the lives of the people around them.
The wide array of 4-H programs enriches the lives of participants and their families and strengthens Wisconsin’s communities through volunteer service, civic involvement, and leadership.
What is 4-H all about?
4-H members get involved in their communities as volunteers and youth leaders. They learn new things by completing dozens of different kinds of projects, going on trips, having parties, hosting international students, participating in local government, experimenting with science, making art, going to camp, learning to canoe or taking care of an animal. These activities are largely facilitated though, research-based youth programming, learning-by-doing, regular 4-H club meetings, and adult mentorship. 4-H fosters healthy youth and adult relationships through process solving, project development, and interactive learning. 4-H is fun. 4-H grows here!
According to the 4‑H Study of Positive Youth Development by Tufts University, 4‑H youth are:
- 6 times more likely to be at the highest levels of positive development
- More likely to see themselves going to college compared to other youth
- 25% more likely to contribute to themselves, their families, and communities
- 41% less likely to engage in high risk behaviors
The Positive Development of Youth: Comprehensive Findings from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study that began in 2002 and was repeated annually for eight years, surveying more than 7,000 adolescents from diverse backgrounds across 42 U.S. states. Check out the Full Report (pdf) | Fact Sheet (pdf)
Resources
If you have any questions regarding Dunn County 4-H, please contact:
Extension Dunn County
3001 US Hwy 12 E, Suite 216
Menomonie WI 54751-3045
Phone: 715-232-1636
Statewide 4-H News
- Join beloved Wisconsin author and storyteller Jerry Apps as he takes viewers on a joy ride of the over 180-year history of Wisconsin fairs. This documentary explores the significance that the fair represents for our agricultural communities — especially within 4-H — and celebrates the dedication and rewarding experiences of these communities. Watch Jerry Apps: […]
- The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation will award more than $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding Wisconsin 4-H members and alumni pursuing higher education in 2025. To be considered for financial support, applications will be accepted starting December 15, 2024, and must be received by the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation via mail, postmarked by March 1, 2025. Wisconsin 4-H […]
- Cedar Crest Ice Cream, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation are excited to announce the winner and finalists of the 2024 Cedar Crest Ice Cream Flavor Creation Contest: The Sunnyside Climbers 4-H Club of Portage County! The Sunnyside Climbers’ winning flavor, Demo Derby, features Chocolate Ice Cream Dented with Chocolate Cookie Crumbles, Smashed M&M’s® […]
- Who’s Got the Beat! As we settle into the rhythms of winter, it is a perfect time to think about art and our next major 4-H State Arts activity, Art Beat! Actually, when isn’t a good time to think about art? Art Beat is for any 4-H member in grades 3-5 and will be held […]
- Community service is a backbone of 4-H. Research shows that generosity toward your community helps develop young people to be civically engaged as adults. 4-H Volunteer, Norm Joseph, dreamed of getting fresh produce from local farms to local food banks. 4-H Educator, Rachel Hart-Brinson, helped him develop the concept of volunteers picking produce at local […]
