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
- On July 13th, 33 youth and adults from Extension and several organizations across Wisconsin met for a full day to plan for the 22nd annual Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership (YPCL) Conference, engaging in fun, interactive activities to set the stage for the full weekend in the fall.
- On July 20th, 125 high school students, college students and adult professionals representing almost 40 organizations from 13 counties across Wisconsin gathered at Madison College to attend the seventh annual Wisconsin Restorative Justice Summit.
- It is with GREAT excitement that we announce funding for the 2026-27 WI 4-H AmeriCorps program year! Now is the time to request to host AmeriCorps members in your county to help build community capacity. Sites will be filled as requests come in.
- Youth in 7th and 8th grade from Polk and Barron counties recently attended the True North Pathfinders Outpost Camp, a three-day 4-H camping experience designed to help young people build independence, resiliency and teamwork.
- Now every time you buy t-shirts, pins, record books and curriculum at Shop 4-H, you can support programs and opportunities for youth in Wisconsin!