HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 10-03-23; 4-a - National 4-H Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 3, 2023
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: National 4-H Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Jonathon Smith, County Extension
Director, 919-245-2057
PURPOSE: To consider approval of a proclamation recognizing October 1-7, 2023, as National
4-H Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: National 4-H Week is October 1-7, 2023, and is promoted by both the National
4-H Council and North Carolina 4-H and celebrated in states and counties from coast to coast.
The overall goals of National 4-H Week are to promote the ways in which 4-H serves families and
youth in grades kindergarten through twelfth, and to promote the 4-H "learn by doing" experiential
learning model that sparks youth interest in future careers, leadership, and community service.
Orange County boasts eight community-based clubs from Cedar Grove to Carrboro and continues
to grow to meet the needs of Orange County residents.
Orange County Cooperative Extension, a partnership between Orange County Government,
North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University,
continues to promote 4-H Youth Development as the premier vehicle for inspiring youth interest
in the fields of science, technology, engineering, agriculture, arts, mathematics, and more.
Orange County 4-H offers a wide variety of programming across the County, employing the
following modes of delivery: day and residential camps, school enrichment, afterschool
programming, and community-based clubs. Considerable research has been published to
highlight the role 4-H plays in helping youth thrive as participants and throughout life. Samples of
that research include:
• Arnold, M. E. & Gagnon, R. J. (2019). Illuminating the process of youth development: The
mediating effect of thriving on youth development program outcomes. Journal of Human
Sciences and Extension, 7(3), 24-51.
• Noble, R., Hall, K., Hensley, S., & Arnold, M.E. (2021). Aligning 4-H youth development
frameworks with the 4-H Thriving Model. Available at: https://helping-youth-
thrive.extension.org/.
• National 4-H Council. (2023, January 1). What is 4-H?. 4-H. https://4-h.org/about/.
• Search Institute (2014b). The developmental relationships framework. Minneapolis, MN:
Author.
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The Strategic Vision for 4-H, as outlined in the National 4-H Council Strategic Plan 4-H Youth
Development A 2025 Vision is bV 2025, states "4-H will reflect the population demographics,
vulnerable populations, diverse needs and social conditions of the country. This vision has the
elements of inclusion, caring adults, serving at minimum 1 in 5 youth, and the volunteers and staff
reflect the diversity of the population."
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign.
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NCCOOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
Ai.C.ART
NATIONAL 4-H WEEK PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, 4-H youth across the nation are leading efforts to solve problems in their communities
and make a difference for their futures; and
WHEREAS, 4-H is the largest youth development organization in North Carolina and the largest in
the nation with nearly six million participants; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, 4-H in North Carolina provided 20,787 educational activities impacting 188,425
youth; and
WHEREAS, Orange County's 4-H program numbers more than 260 members and more than 40
volunteers engaged in camps, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and eight community clubs;
and
WHEREAS, 4-H, as part of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of NC State University
and NC A&T State University, is a program where youth are engaged in experiential learning
opportunities in 4-H's mission mandates of science, engineering, technology, healthy living, and
citizenship; and
WHEREAS, 4-H has connected youth and their communities with the innovative research and
resources from our nation's 112 land-grant universities and colleges for more than 120 years;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim October
1-7, 2023, as National 4-H Week in Orange County, and urge the people of this County to take
advantage of the opportunity to become more aware of this research-based program that enhances
our young people's interests in their futures as part of Orange County 4-H Youth Development and
to join us in recognizing this unique partnership between our County and the University of North
Carolina System.
Adopted this 3rd day of October, 2023.
r-
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair ;
Orange County Board of Commissioners