Youth Venture

The 4-H emblem is a four-leaf clover with an “H” in every leaf. The letters stand for HEAD, HEART, HANDS, and HEALTH; the foundation of all 4-H programs. Through 4-H programs youth develop:
• HEAD – clearer thinking and decision making, knowledge useful through life;
• HEART – greater loyalty, strong personal values, positive self-concept, concern for others;
• HANDS – larger service, workforce preparedness, useful skills, science and technology literacy;
• HEALTH – better living, healthy lifestyles.

4-H Youth Venture offers youth the opportunity to create their own community-benefiting projects by expanding on the skills they have learned throughout their 4-H experience. By focusing on youth who already create sustainable projects for fair exhibits, this partnership is a natural fit. All the youth need to realize is that by adding a community benefiting aspect to their fair exhibits, these projects have the potential to become 4-H Youth Ventures and create social change in their communities.

4-H Youth Ventures are designed to build on the strengths and interests of young people, resulting in 4-Hers having a unique sense of ownership and accomplishment. These ventures allow youth the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in 4-H to create a long-lasting, community benefiting project. The projects have to be a least 18 months long and can either be passed on to 4-H club groups or to other 4-H individuals.

A 4-H Youth Venture team consists of at least two 4-H youth that develop an idea from a passion or a dream to create a community-benefiting project that uses their talents, energy, or interests in creating some kind of community change . Teams present their proposals to a panel of 4-H community members and if approved, can receive up to $1,000 to launch their organization.

In the first year of the partnership, 4-H produced six venture teams: Suncook Valley Sports Swap, Peppermint Ponies Venture Team, Beads for Needs, Night Riders Renovation Team, Global Connect, and Pig Tales. Each of these teams addresses different issues in their community, ranging from creating a sports scholarship fund to organic vegetable production to jewelry making. Expect to see this partnership produce many more teams over the next months.

A special thanks to the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire for providing financial support to 4-H Youth Venture teams.