4-H Timeline of Events
Ninth Decade 1983-1992
In 1983, a Blueprint for the Future, Extension Service, USDA, introduced new models to enhance national leadership in Extension. Funding formerly used for special projects within particular states now went to: Centers of Excellence, Networking with Recognized Authorities, Extension personnel shared with other agencies, contractual arrangement with private sector, and intergovernmental Personnel Act appointments.
Begun in 1983, National 4-H Council's "Salute to Excellence" program brought an outstanding volunteer leader from each Sate to the National 4-H Center for a week of training, touring, and honors at a reception on Capitol Hill. Each went home with a grant to invest in a special volunteer project.
In 1983, the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) Task Force completed a 4-H International Report.
The 1985 4-H Alumni Study, a national evaluation of the long-term impact of the 4-H program, concluded that the powerful effects of 4-H expansion continues for decades. The study noted young people need to be given more of a voice in decision making and leadership of 4-H.
In 1985, the Ibero American Conference held in Washington, D.C. involved youth and youth-serving agencies from nearly all countries in North and South America, and Spain.
In 1986, a Professional Research and Knowledge (4-Hprk) Taxonomy for 4-H Youth Development was created by Ohio State University and Mississippi State University. It established a framework to catalog and access resource and knowledge sources relevant to 4-H Youth Development Work.
During 1986-1989, Volunteer for the Future project was funded by W.K. Kellogg Foundation for $1.6 million. It was focused on volunteer leader development. Eight states were funded for pilot programs in youth as resources, volunteer middle management, and working with advisory committees.
In 1987, the CAPS program began. CAPS was a collaborative effort with USAID and the 4-H program in Costa Rica which provided hosting of Costa Rica youth by U.S. families for nine months while they attended school.
In 1987, ". . . and My World" project was developed. The 4-H curriculum introduced international and cross-cultural education. It was funded by a grant from International Programs, Extension Service, USDA.
In 1987, the National 4-H Report Form was completely redesigned for the first time in decades. It eliminated the sometimes six-inch individual record books entered in competitions.
On July 25-August 1, 1987, the fifth World IFYE Conference was held in Coventry, England. It was entitled, "Our World Is: A Welcome International Fellowship, Heritage, The Family, Participation, Endeavor, IFYE, Friendship".
In 1988, Youth at Risk was identified by the Cooperative Extension System as a priority for action, focused on three areas: School-age child care and education; Collaborations that support community programming with high risk youth; and science and technological literacy in youth at risk.
In 1988, the National School Age Care Consortium was formed.
In 1989, a 4-H Staff Development Curriculum Conference, "Tomorrow's Child", was held in Orlando, Florida.
In 1990, the first of several National Youth at Risk Summit Conferences were held.
In 1990, a collaborative effort of the National 4-H Council and USDA's Extension Service 4-H, involved both staffs in joint planning and implementation of national 4-H efforts. One outcome was a redesign of curriculum categories within 4-H. This gave equal weight to all disciplines, rather than concentrating efforts and recognition on agriculture and home economics topics. It affected both county enrollment reporting and national awards.
In 1990, "Community Cares", a national 4-H project funded by Kellogg for $5.9 million, laid the groundwork for expanded outreach to youth at risk. Focus areas of the project were: fund development, staff development, volunteer management, and Centers for Action. Results of the project were Fund Developers Institutes; Youth Development Institute; TAXI curriculum; and six centers of Action, two each in childcare, collaboration, and science and technology literacy.
In 1991, the National 4-H Data Collections System (ES-237) was completely overhauled for the first time in thirty years. Changes resulted in less than half as many blanks for counties to fill in, while capturing a great deal of new data, such as youth involved in National Initiatives and identifying the specific land-grant universities and collaborations involved as the source of 4-H programs. Extension Service partnered with Texas to create a 4-H program management software, which would also complete the required enrollment report. The software was used until 1995, when a commercially developed software was introduced.
In 1991, the "Talking with T.J." curriculum was developed by Hallmark, Inc. in collaboration with 4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Girl Scouts, USA. One unit was on Communications, another on Conflict Resolution. Full color handouts and videos were featured. The curriculum was used primarily 1991 to 1993 and is still being used.
In 1991, Congress funded the Youth at Risk initiative for the first time, at the level of $7.5 million, to provide grants to communities. Congress appropriated $10 million for 1993.
In 1991, a National 4-H Strategic Plan was developed by 330 4-H youth, volunteers, and Extension professionals from 46 states. The Strategic Directions Team then spent nearly a year converting the newsprint into a comprehensive plan for 4-H. The Strategic Directions Team, in existence ever since, is broadly representative of all the stakeholders in 4-H, including five to eight 4-H youth. The plan included new mission and vision statements.
In 1991, U.S./Mexico Connects project was funded by USAID. This project centered on youth in community service and involved projects in Mexico and U.S. Connections were made on a university-to-university basis in the U.S. and in Mexico.
In 1991, the Global Connections Project was funded by USAID and focused on youth in development. The project involved developing materials and experiences in development education for 4-H.
In 1991 to 1992, Poland 4-H was established as part of the Extension International project. Staff, volunteer leaders, and youth from Michigan State spent a month in Poland conducting a camp and working with Polish Extension Staff. Michigan 4-H Foundation assisted in establishing a Polish 4-H Foundation. Connections with Michigan and Pennsylvania continue today.
In 1992, Strengthening Our Capacity to Care project was funded at $3 + million by DeWitt Wallace Readers Digest Foundation. The focus of the project was staff development for outreach to the under-served and youth at risk.
On August 23-29, 1992 the sixth World IFYE Conference was held in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. It was entitled, "Rural Youth for Tomorrow".
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