BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – This week, Oct. 5-11, local communities are celebrating National 4-H Week to bring awareness and recognition of 4-H youth across the country. The 4-H program began as an afterschool opportunity to help young people build agricultural skills and has evolved into the program it is today. Administered by University of Illinois Extension in Illinois, the program is the state's largest out-of-school youth development organization that builds career and life skills that empower youth to be 'Beyond Ready' for the future.
"4-H didn’t just teach me skills," said Perry Harlow, a Grundy County 4-H alumnus who now works as Young Leader program coordinator for Illinois Farm Bureau, "it forged the courage to stand alone for what I believe in, a strength that has become my compass in every professional challenge I face. The confidence to be the lone voice of integrity in a room full of doubt is the greatest career asset 4-H ever gave me, and it’s the one that defines my leadership every single day."
Harlow is just one local 4-H alumni who speaks to the positive outcomes of 4-H in his life and started participating in 4-H when he was 8 years old in the Highland Ag 4-H Club in Grundy County. Through his 11-year career as a 4-H member, Harlow participated in a variety of projects, including Public Speaking, Leadership, Cooking, Photography, Sheep, Cattle, Rabbits, and more.
As he progressed in his 4-H career, Harlow forged a path of leadership and civic engagement as he became involved in various county and regional leadership opportunities. As he explored these skills in a safe and supportive environment, he was able to thrive.
Harlow made a career of civic engagement, working on Capitol Hill for various governmental advocacy groups, where he spoke to decision-makers about issues that matter. Eventually, he returned home to serve as the Illinois Young Leader program coordinator for Illinois Farm Bureau.
"This is what 'Beyond Ready' means," says Emilia Elabed, Illinois Extension 4-H youth development educator, "for Perry, 4-H empowered him to be 'Beyond Ready' for his future career, giving him the confidence to speak out on issues that matter, and building skills that now allows him to be a role model for young people today."
Harlow is the subject of a recent video showcasing the impact of 4-H on young people as the organization moves to continue to empower youth to be 'Beyond Ready' for life today.
"To me, 'Beyond Ready' means helping youth build the skills and confidence they need not just for the next step in life, but for whatever opportunities or challenges come their way. It’s about making sure they can think critically, adapt, and lead in their own way. It’s about being empowered to take on the future with resilience and a sense of purpose," said Elabed.
For more information about 4-H, visit go.illinois.edu/about4hgkw.
"Illinois 4-H empowers youth to be 'Beyond Ready' for life today. Through hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and real-world experiences, 4-H members sit in the driver's seat to find their spark and explore their interests. Whether it’s science, health, agriculture, or civic engagement, 4-H helps young people grow the confidence, skills, and passion to make a difference today and thrive tomorrow."
Writer: Anthony Warmack, Communications & Marketing Coordinator; Brooke Katcher, 4-H Engagement and Recruitment Coordinator
Sources: Emilia Elabed, 4-H Youth Development Educator; National 4-H Council.
Image Caption: "Perry Harlow, a 4-H alumnus from Grundy County, reflects on how his 4-H experience impacted his future career."
Media Access: The photo in this story, along with a complete print, radio, and video assets, can be downloaded for media use. For press inquiries, contact Anthony Warmack, warmacka@illinois.edu, 217-244-5813. Want to keep in touch with news from Illinois Extension? Sign up for press updates.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.