4-H Instills, Grows Lifelong Skills
Published: Friday, August 15, 2025
The following is from the Kosciusko County Extension website.
In a world where trends change overnight and screens dominate our attention, some may wonder: Does a 120-year-old youth program still have a place in kids' lives today?
The answer, especially in 2025, is a resounding yes.
While many people associate 4-H with livestock and ribbons, it's really about growing leaders who are ready to meet the world head-on. From robotics clubs to community service initiatives, today's 4-H members are tackling real-world challenges with confidence, curiosity, and compassion.
Youth need 4-H more than ever according to recent national studies on youth development: Only 46% of teens say they feel prepared for the real world, rates of anxiety and disconnection are at an all-time high among youth, and employers report a skills gap in communication, responsibility, and problem-solving.
That's where 4-H steps in—not just to teach "how to" skills, but to build resilience, responsibility and relationships.
Take Ella, a 5th grader who used to freeze up when asked to speak in front of a group. After a year of 4-H demonstrations and showing her goat at the fair, she now confidently speaks to large groups—and even led her club's community clean-up project.
Or Jamal, a quiet high schooler who never thought of himself as a leader. Through 4-H Junior Leaders, he planned a service day, mentored younger members, and discovered a passion for public service.
These stories aren't rare—they're the heartbeat of 4-H in every county across the country.
In a fast-moving world, 4-H teaches what endures: leadership that starts with listening and lifts others up, service that reminds youth they can make a difference now—not just "someday," and responsibility that's learned in the barn, at the meeting table, or behind the scenes of a project.
These values never go out of style. In fact, they're more critical now than ever before.
Four-H isn't about recreating the past. It's about equipping youth for the future—with purpose, passion, and the kind of confidence that can't be downloaded from an app.
So yes, 4-H still matters in 2025. And for every young person who finds their voice, builds their skills, or learns to lead with kindness, it matters more than ever.
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