4-H Teens as Teachers & Agriculture in the Classroom

Preparing young teachers to engage young consumers to the importance of agriculture in

their daily lives

About our DonorIn this inaugural year the BRANDT Foundation has awarded three grants:• 4-H Teens as Teachers & Ag in the Classroom• Progressive Agriculture Foundation promoting safe

behaviors on farms• Kidzeum of Health & Science of Springfield – Farm to

Market exhibit of where food comes from

Objectives•Engage 100 4-H Teen Teachers (13-18 years of age)•Engage 1,000 youth (8-12 years of age) in 10-15 counties•In six (6) hours of sequential learning experiences about Agriculture and its role in our daily life

4-H Teens as Teachers

• 2013 - piloted with 59 teen teachers in four Metro communities

• 2014 - expanded to nearly 500 teens in 21 counties – Topics included Gardening, Robotics, Food

and Nutrition, Videography, Crop Production, and Environmental Science

Success Indicators• 4-H Teens

Gain knowledge about agriculture

Skill development in Positive Youth Development (PYD), teaching, communication, career exploration

Recognize and value adult mentors

• AITC Coordinator Recognize value

of Youth and Adult Partnerships

Appreciate and value 4-H teens skill and ability in expanding audience reach

Guiding 4-H teens in leadership opportunities

• Youth Participants Greater

understanding of agriculture in their daily lives

Greater understanding of where their food comes from.

Appreciation for teen role models.

According to 4-H Teen Teachers (2014)

• Most important skills gained:– Teamwork and

understanding– Responsibility– Ownership and personal

commitment– Patience– Public speaking– Teaching younger youth– Comfort in front of groups

Youth and Adult Partnerships

• Youth as Objects– Adults know what is best and control

situations in which they allow youth to be involved

• Youth as Recipients– Adults allow young people to take part in

decision-making because they think the experience will be “good for them”

Youth and Adult Partnerships

• Youth as Partners– Adults respect young people as having

something significant to offer now, and youth are encouraged to become involved

Partner Roles

4-H Youth Development Educator

• Recruitment of teens• Training 4-H Teens:

– What is 4-H?, Ages and Stages, Teambuilding, Group Management, Preparing to Teach and Experiential Learning

• Evaluation of Teen Teachers• Recognition of Teens• Summary report for Donor

AITC Coordinator (Adult Mentor)

• Identify multiple curricula for Teens to choose among

• Be the guide-on-the-side as teens prepare and teach (teach-backs)

• Support teens with timely and frequent feed back

• Conduct any needed AITC Evaluation

• Guide career exploration as teens deepen their own learning in agriculture

Financial Resources • Funding is available to provide:

– Training and preparation retreats for 4-H Teen Teachers and AITC (Adult Mentor) ($200/county)*

– Teaching supplies and materials ($250/county)**– 4-H Teen Teacher Recognition ($60/teen teacher)

*Funding is based upon 10-15 counties participating and 10 Teen Teachers. If it is unit wide focus then funding is for Extension Unit and

not individual county. **If estimated program costs exceed available funds then participant registration fees may be needed.

4-H Teen Teacher Shirts

front back

Available at no cost to Youth Educators for Ag in the Classroom 4-H Teen Teachers

For Additional Information

• Bill Million• wmillion@illinois.edu

• Or• Your local 4-H Youth Development

Educator