Posted: 02.16.2011

Wisconsin 4-H has gotten a financial shot in the arm for five of its county programs!

The  four-year Engaging Youth, Serving Communities (EYSC) program will work with five county 4-H programs to build leadership, service and educational opportunities and resources to rural youth, especially those from underserved and diverse populations.

Five communities in rural Wisconsin have been selected as partners in the new EYSC project: Barron (Barron County), Sturgeon Bay (Door County), Oconto (Oconto County), Sauk Prairie/Prairie du Sac (Sauk County) and Medford (Taylor County). The individual communities have been chosen because they face challenges surrounding the needs of rural youth.

UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development educators in each county will build on existing relationships to train youth-adult teams to facilitate half-day forums. Each community’s forum will focus on local issues that will also include local community members.  "Research is illustrating the growing disconnect between youth and families with their natural environment,” says 4-H environmental education specialist Jessica Jens. “In many ways, quality of life can be improved through initiatives that bring people outdoors.”

Hot button issues that may be addressed include: health and fitness, the environment, increased involvement in science and technology activities and improved psychological health in the communities. EYSC programs also bring new opportunities for youth leadership to these communities.  The program requires each community to create an annual cycle that brings new youth and adults into the planning and action process each year.

Overall, the program will impact at least 7,000 youth and adults in 55 rural communities nationwide.

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