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 Donor In 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 Youth Participants 4-H Teens AITC Coordinator 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

4-H Youth Development Educator AITC Coordinator (Adult Mentor) Partner Roles 4-H Youth Development Educator AITC Coordinator (Adult Mentor) 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 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 Available at no cost to Youth Educators for Ag in the Classroom 4-H Teen Teachers front back

For Additional Information Bill Million wmillion@illinois.edu Or Your local 4-H Youth Development Educator