Professional Development

Authors: Satana (Mays) Sparks - Karen Wood - Jessica Mellon - Torrey Silliman - Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins

Growing Impact: Multiplying Efforts in 4-H Programs" illustrates how to design initiatives that amplify your efforts and enhance the outcomes of your 4-H program. By developing capacity within 4-H, providing resources, and training educators and leaders, 4-H programs can generate ripple effects that broaden their reach over time. This publication shares four methods for multiplying efforts: delegating, collaborating internally and externally, and communicating through publishing. As these strategies are embraced, it will help improve 4-H Educator resiliency and strengthen programs to better the outcomes. The potential for positive change will grow, leaving a lasting impact on youth and communities served by 4-H. Authors: Santana Sparks (Mays), Karen Wood, Jessica Mellon, Torrey Silliman, and Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins Title: Growing Impact: Multiplying Efforts in 4-H Programs (FS-2024-0746).

Authors: Anna Glenn

This factsheet provides guidance for 4-H coaches to create successful competitive programs, focusing on judging contests, Skillathons, and quiz bowls. It emphasizes the importance of the 4-H Thriving Model, which fosters youth development by creating a supportive environment that encourages social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Key elements include igniting interest, fostering belonging, building supportive relationships, and encouraging meaningful engagement, leading to positive long-term outcomes for youth participants. Author: Anna Glenn; Title: Tips for 4-H Competitive Event Coaches: How to Create Thriving Programs (FS-2025-0760).

Authors: Troy Anthony Anderson

This paper delves into the multifaceted dynamics of consumer education and decision-making within diverse cultural contexts. It underscores the pivotal role consumer knowledge plays in navigating today's complex marketplace, addressing both individual and collective needs in a globalized world. By understanding essential consumer rights; such as safety, access to accurate information, and the art of choosing, individuals can enhance satisfaction and mitigate potential negative impacts. The discussion extends to exploring how consumer education enriches financial literacy and refines resource management, equipping individuals with the tools needed to understand guarantees and warranties comprehensively. The paper also highlights the consumer's crucial role in fostering ethical behavior, emphasizing the significance of laws designed to protect consumers. By merging these elements, the article presents a thorough view of how informed consumers contribute to a more equitable and efficient marketplace. Author: Troy Anthony Anderson, Ed.D.; Title: Understanding Choices: Navigating Consumer Education for a Better Tomorrow (FS-2024-0742).

Authors: Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins - Ashley Travis - Rachel Bayer

Extension educators are tasked with providing programs that meet the needs of their respective communities. One way to measure the current community assets and opportunities for growth is through needs assessments. A needs assessment is a tool that measures the interests and identifies gaps in current program offerings. It can also be used to check the status of ongoing programming in a community. The 4-H Needs Assessment Tool Kit is an extension manual that gives insight into using the materials and offers templates that can be adapted for various stakeholder groups. The documents contained in the Tool Kit have been tested in rural, urban, and suburban communities. Authors: Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins, Ashley Travis, and Rachael Bayer; Title: University of Maryland Extension (UME) 4-H Needs Assessment Tool Kit Overview (FS-2022-0636)

Authors: Rachel Bayer - Sara Arnold - Sheryl Bennett - Chris Rein

This factsheet highlights that public speaking is one of the most common fears among adults in the United States. However, it is also considered one of the most valuable life skills that young people can acquire through their involvement in 4-H. The Maryland 4-H Public Speaking contest is an excellent opportunity for youth to hone their public speaking skills. This publication contains valuable information about the contest and includes worksheets that can assist youth in the development of their speeches. Authors: Rachel Bayer, Sara Arnold, Sheryl Bennett, and Chris Rein; Title: Public Speaking-Making a Great Speech (FS-1135).

Authors: Jessica Mellon

A 4-H virtual activity club (VAC) meets over the internet to provide a focused learning experience on a single topic for a short period of time. During the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March 2020, 4-H programming was forced to adapt quickly to a virtual environment. Activity clubs are one of Maryland 4-H’s established delivery modes. Offering them online was a natural fit for filling the void created by cancelled 4-H club meetings, summer camps, and other out-of-school-time activities due to the pandemic. Author: Jessica Mellon; Incorporating the Essential Elements of 4-H into Online Environments through Virtual Activity Clubs (FS-1173)

Authors: Ashley Travis - Jessica Mellon - Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins - Chris Rein - Becky Ridgeway - Mark DeMorra - Thomas Hutson

4-H volunteers play a key role in helping youth with college and workforce preparation because they regularly create educational experiences that foster the development of life skills such as time management, responsibility, leadership, and teamwork. Authors: Ashley Travis, Jessica Mellon, Vernelle Mitchell-Hawkins, Chris Rein, Beckey Ridgeway, Mark DeMorra, and Thomas Hutson; Title: Empowering Volunteers to Incorporate Workforce Readiness into 4-H Programs (FS-2022-0628)

Authors: Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins

Extension Educators have been delivering research-based content to the community for over a century. These informal learning experiences for youth and adults are designed to be relevant, timely and age appropriate. Educators are considered experts in their respective content area and the community depends on their knowledge. Preparation for learning experiences is important for extension educators. The time and care that is taken align to University goals and meet intended learning objectives can make a difference in the amount of skills attained by learners. The tools presented in this document are designed to help the extension educator make written plans for single workshops, multi-session workshops, seminars, and short courses. The tools are intended to be easy to use across program areas and encourages efficient teaching. Author: Vernelle Mitchell Hawkins; Title: Planning Tools and Methods for Extension Educators (FS-1195).

Authors: Dr. Nia Imani Fields

There are a number of key strategies to successfully expand and sustain 4-H outreach programs. These strategies include (1) assessment and planning, (2) quality youth development training for facilitators, (3) participant recruitment, (4) quality program delivery, (5) sustainable partnerships, and (6) evaluation. This fact sheet will provide an overview of these six strategies and resources to begin your 4-H program outreach. Author: Dr. Nia Imani Fileds;Title: Strategies for 4-H Youth Development Educators on Outreach Programming (FS-927)