University of Wisconsin - Extension

National 4-H Week October 7 - 13 marks a milestone - the beginning of the youth development program's centennial year.

4-H youth development leaders in Wisconsin and around the country plan to celebrate the organization's anniversary with a series of "conversations," bringing youth and adults together to talk about how communities can work with youth to promote youth involvement and positive development. As part of the initiative, youth will be encouraged to pledge volunteer time, unleashing a flood of youthful energy to demonstrate the "Power of Youth."

According to Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development State Program Leader Greg Hutchins, the events will begin with local conversations in communities around the state in October and November.

"UW-Extension is hosting these conversations in honor of the 100th anniversary of 4-H, but this is not just about 4-H," Hutchins said.

"These conversations are about youth development and what communities can do to improve life for youth in the 21st Century."

Hutchins said participants will be young people and adults representing local and state government, nonprofit organizations, education and others interested in youth development.

Following the local conversations, Jan. 14 and 15, 2002, delegates from dozens of Wisconsin communities will gather in Madison to present the volunteer pledges to the governor and engage in a state-level conversation about youth development and youth involvement in communities.

The national conversation will be Feb. 28 through March 3 in Washington, D.C., with about 30 delegates from Wisconsin in attendance.

The Centennial Conversations initiative was created by an Act of Congress, which provided $5 million to support the project.