1. 4-H Project Achievement- Increasing County Participation
Using Multi-County Partnerships to Enhance the Project Achievement Process
Presented By:
Kate Whiting, Peach County Brenda Welch, Schley County
Muqita Lumumba, Macon County Sherry Waller, Taylor County
Joan Rodgers, Marion County

2. Agenda Introduction 4-H Staff Portfolio Competition Locked In for DPA
½ Way to DPA
The Take Away- What’s Next?

3. Introduction
In 2015, Peach/Taylor/Macon/Marion/Schley 4-H Work Group was begun
During goal setting, all counties had a need for increased DPA participation and retention
Action plan created to offer new programs to 4- H’ers in all counties
By partnering, the work load was decreased and number of youth reached increased

4. 4-H Staff Portfolio Competition
Program Assistants wanted a way to better understand the Senior Portfolios & how they’re judged
Each created a mock portfolio in the project of their choice
Judged on the same scorecard as a Senior Portfolio
Feedback was given on positives and negatives of each portfolio

5. Locked-In to DPA DPA Themed Lock-In designed to:
Introduce new 4-H’ers to the portfolio process
Think Sheet- Project Selection
Portfolio Outline
Build Helping & Sharing Opportunities
Portfolio brainstorming session
Share Fair
Community Service Projects to build portfolio strength
Increase the sense of 4-H belonging and friendships
FUN!!

6. Locked-In to DPA 2015-32 Youth attended the event
Peach, Macon, Marion, Taylor, and Schley Counties.
19 competed at 2016 DPA, 33 total participants from the counties
3 State Congress Delegates
Youth attended the event
Peach, Macon, Marion, Taylor, Schley, Stewart and Sumter Counties.
29 competed at 2017 DPA, 60 total participants from the counties
5 State Congress delegates
Surveys showed a positive response from youth on portfolio understanding, activity engagement, and increased participation

7. ½ Way to DPA
Summer event designed to encourage/track progress of portfolio work while creating a competition/event youth would want to attend.
6 month portfolio
Judged and given feedback on areas of strength and what to enhance
Ideas of what to work on for the rest of the year
1 poster/interview
Judged and given feedback on both areas
Feedback given on communication and depth of project knowledge
Awards given for Top Portfolios, Top Posters and Top Overall Scores
Community Service Project

8. Take Away- What’s Next? 4-H Staff Portfolio Contest ½ Way to DPA
– Can be replicated for new 4-H staff, volunteers, etc. to enhance understanding of the process
– 6 youth attended the event
Several are new to DPA and this helped them better understand portfolio details
Preplanning for the rest of the year
Locked-In to DPA
– Easily replicated with multiple counties to further engage 4-H’ers in the DPA process, enhance belonging, and encourage more youth to participate in DPA
– Plans to host a 2017 event
– Plans to host a 2017 event with additional counties

9. Contact Information
Muqita Lumumba Macon County Program Assistant Sherry Waller Taylor County Program Assistant Joan Rodgers Marion County Program Assistant
Kate Whiting Peach County CEC/4-H Agent Brenda Welch Schley County Associate