4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council
Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Media Contact: Jennifer Martin, (202) 720-8188
WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 22, 2009) – 4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council (Council) signed a memorandum of understanding today signaling a renewed commitment between both organizations to jointly advocate for the 4-H Youth Development Program and the Cooperative Extension System.
“This agreement clearly outlines the responsibilities between 4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council and represents continued efforts to promote positive youth development in the areas of citizenship; healthy living; and science, engineering and technology,” said Colien Hefferan, Administrator of USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), the home of 4-H National Headquarters.
CSREES, through 4-H National Headquarters, agrees to administer a cohesive 4-H program with the land-grant universities to advance the 4-H Youth Development Program through professional and volunteer development, research and evaluation, curricular development, policies and procedures.
”Council’s partnership with 4-H National Headquarters and the Cooperative Extension System has never been stronger or more effective than it is today,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council president and CEO. “The memorandum clearly articulates the important role that each organization plays in advancing the 4-H movement—and that will help us keep the partnership strong and help more young people to reach their full potential.”
National 4-H Council agrees to be the primary facilitator of resource development for 4-H at the national level, including soliciting, maintaining and disbursing funds in support of 4-H programs emanating from a strategic plan developed in collaboration with 4-H National Headquarters and the Cooperative Extension System. In addition, Council provides national-level support to the 4-H field through a broad range of activities that include marketing, licensing, managing the 4-H supply service and operating the National 4-H Conference Center.
4-H National Headquarters seeks to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning and engage youth in the work of the land-grant universities and USDA to enhance their quality of life. Nearly 6 million youth, ages 5-19, participate in 4-H youth development experiences in all 50 states, territories and military installations worldwide. More information is available at www.national4-hheadquarters.gov.
Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.
National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters at USDA. 4-H programs are implemented by the 106 Land-Grant Universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices in every county across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org.
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