• Conducted in the spring of 2005• Cooperated with CSU College of Business

Marketing Research class• 5th, 7th, and 9th grade students• 15 randomly selected counties

– then 4 schools in each county randomly selected

• 1,906 students surveyed– 395 were 4-H members

Counties Involved• Alamosa• Archuleta• Baca• Chaffee• Conejos• Eagle• El Paso• Garfield

• Kit Carson• Las Animas• Montezuma• Phillips• Rio Grande• Washington• Yuma

Grades Involved

Grade Number Percent

5th 795 41.7

7th 717 37.6

9th 394 20.7

1,906 100

4-H members were more likely to report that they:

• Have control over the things that happen to them **

• Like themselves **• Have much to be proud of **• Have a sense of purpose in their life **• Are glad they are who they are*

4-H members were more likely to report that they are able to:

• Speak with ease in front of others **• Set goals **• Plan ahead *• Manage money wisely **

4-H members were more likely to report that:• Adults in their town make them feel important **• Adults in their town listen to what they have to say *• In their hometown, they feel like they matter

to people **• Within their own family, they feel useful and

important *• They are given lots of chances to help make their

town or city a better place to live **• In the last month, they have had conversation with

an adult other than a parent that lasted 10 minutes or more.*

Colorado 4-H enrollment

• The community club program has 16,310 youth• 89,696 youth are involved in K-12 school enrichment• 8,041 youth involved in K-12 after school programs• 121,477 total number of youth involved

A majority of 4-H members in this study reported:

• 4-H allows them to explore their own interests

• 4-H provides a safe place for learning and growing

• 4-H clubs are supportive environments where youth feel accepted for who they are

• Participation in 4-H has been critical to their individual success in life