DEPARTMENT: Communications
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Proclamation Of National 4-H Week In Dakota County October 7-12, 2024
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim October 7-12, 2024, National 4-H Week in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Minn. Stat. § 38.33 coordinates the work of the federal, state, and county government and the Minnesota Extension Service of the University of Minnesota to maintain county Extension work. Dakota County has a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Minnesota for a local 4-H Youth Development program.
4-H members in Dakota County will join the 6 million youth across the country in celebrating National 4-H Week annually starting the first Sunday in October. 4-H celebrates this week by highlighting the remarkable 4-H youth in their communities and showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people.
OUTCOMES
The Dakota County Extension Department works to create a healthy, thriving, and equitable community for all. Extension does this by bringing Minnesotans together to build a better future through University science-based knowledge, expertise and training. Extension is the front door to the University for all Minnesotans, providing tools to build the future they envision. More than 1 million people are reached annually by Extension education. In 2023:
• 1,859 youth (Kindergarten through 1-year past High School) were enrolled members in Dakota County 4-H in 2024 and remains the largest 4-H program in Minnesota.
• 31% of youth enrolled in Dakota County 4-H identify as youth of color.
• Dakota County first generation engagement is 14% higher than the state average at 36%. This is due to nurturing and supporting partnerships across the County.
• Executed 38 sustainable 4-H partnerships (Burnsville Youth Collaborative, Northfield PLUS and BLAST, and School Age Care in West St. Paul, Hastings and Kids N Kinship, Libraries) with 52% of youth enrolled being reached with programming while in community. Youth in these programs have a minimum of 4 contact hours and a maximum of 24 contact hours.
• The annual 4-H Youth Outcome Survey distributed in the fall of 2023 to Dakota County members indicated:
o 83% of youth who participated in 4-H can work with others to achieve a goal
o 82% of youth can actively listen to what others have to say
o 83% of youth enjoyed learning
o 80% of youth felt like they belonged
RECOMMENDATION
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Building a ready generation in a world of change, 4-H equips youth with skills for the future while meeting them where they are today. Becoming Beyond Ready encompasses opportunities and experiences, connections and discovery, shaping youth into their true and authentic selves. National 4-H Week is a time to celebrate the 4-H youth development program in Dakota County and across the nation and its many benefits, and to encourage more young people to join.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, supporting nearly six million youth across the country; and
WHEREAS, 4-H has helped 1,859 youth in Dakota County in 2024 to become confident, independent, resilient and compassionate leaders; and
WHEREAS, 4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension - a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn-by-doing through hands-on projects in the important areas of health, science, agriculture and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS 4-H is the largest youth organization in Minnesota, and Dakota County has the largest 4-H program in the state, with methods backed by university research, 4-H offers the opportunity for youth to learn how to solve problems, make decisions and communicate ideas; and
WHEREAS, National 4-H Week showcases the incredible ways that 4-H inspires kids to do and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Dakota County who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them, provide opportunities and experiences, connections and discovery, shaping youth into their true and authentic selves; and
WHEREAS, 4-H’s network of nearly 500,000 volunteers and 3,500 professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to all 4-H’ers, helping them to grow into true leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim October 7 -12, 2024, as National 4-H Week throughout Dakota County and encourage all of our communities to recognize 4-H for the significant impact they have made and continue to make by empowering youth with the skills they need to lead for a lifetime.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Tammy McCulloch
Author: Tammy McCulloch