May 20, 2026
Article by the Northeast Communicators Network
From Maine’s coastlines to New York City neighborhoods, from Connecticut classrooms to Maryland agricultural programs and Rhode Island community initiatives, 4-H is helping young people across the Northeast build the skills, confidence and connections needed to succeed in school, careers and civic life. As the nation’s largest youth development organization, 4-H reaches youth in every Northeast state through Cooperative Extension programs at Land-grant universities, creating hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen communities and prepare the next generation of leaders.
Across the region, 4-H programs are responding to growing needs for accessible STEM education, workforce development, leadership training and inclusive community engagement. Through experiential learning and positive youth development, youth are gaining critical life skills while exploring career pathways in agriculture, marine science, environmental stewardship, technology, public health and civic leadership.
In Maine, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Traveling Touch Tank Program is connecting inland youth to the state’s marine ecosystems through a mobile marine laboratory developed in partnership with the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research and the Aquaculture Research Institute. The program addresses barriers to marine science education by bringing live marine organisms and hands-on learning directly into schools and communities.
During the 2024-2025 program cycle, the Traveling Touch Tank delivered more than 50 events and engaged more than 3,000 participants statewide. Survey results showed that 100% of participants learned something new, while 79% interacted with Maine marine life for the first time. Additionally, 77% reported a deeper appreciation for Maine’s marine environment and ocean health. The program also generated revenue to support continued operations and student employment opportunities, while creating workforce development experiences through a “Touch Tank Technician” micro-credential for University of Maine students.
In New York, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program is creating transformational learning opportunities centered on youth voice, belonging and leadership development. Programs reach youth in all 62 New York counties, including New York City, and provide opportunities in healthy living, civic engagement, agriculture, STEM and career readiness.
More than 4,000 youth participated in Healthy Habits programs, with 400 teens serving as peer leaders delivering nutrition education and wellness programming. Youth also explored agriculture and technical careers through hands-on learning and mentorship opportunities. Participants in welding programs earned industry credentials and pursued vocational pathways, while others engaged in food systems education, environmental stewardship and restorative justice initiatives. New York 4-H also trained 20 educators and volunteers to lead the New York Preparedness Initiative, helping youth build leadership and emergency preparedness skills that strengthen community resilience.
In Connecticut, UConn 4-H engaged 27,844 youth in 2025 with the support of 4,571 volunteers delivering research-based programs statewide. Through activities such as robotics, gardening, animal science, engineering and public speaking, youth developed communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills that support college and career readiness.
UConn 4-H’s Beyond Ready initiative emphasizes experiential learning and workforce development, helping youth gain practical experience while building confidence and civic responsibility. Assessments demonstrated measurable gains in collaboration, leadership and communication skills, preparing young people to contribute positively to Connecticut’s economy and communities.
Maryland 4-H is helping youth explore the broad range of careers connected to agriculture through the University of Maryland Extension’s Career AGsperience program. Designed to address growing workforce shortages in agriculture and food systems, the program introduces youth to careers in animal science, environmental science, agribusiness and agricultural technology.
Since 2020, Career AGsperience has reached more than 21,000 youth through virtual and in-person programming. Among participants completing the full curriculum, 100% reported increased understanding of agriculture-related careers and science applications in agriculture, while all participants indicated plans to pursue college or vocational training after high school. The program’s curriculum has also been shared nationally and internationally, expanding its reach beyond Maryland communities.
In Rhode Island, 4-H programs are creating inclusive environments where youth can build leadership, communication, and social-emotional skills through hands-on learning and community engagement. Programs focus especially on underserved urban youth who may have limited access to experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom.
Rhode Island 4-H reached more than 2,300 youth through clubs, workshops, leadership retreats and a youth-designed college course funded through a USDA-NIFA CYFAR grant. Youth participants contributed more than 1,200 hours of community service, delivered public presentations, and engaged in STEAM learning and career exploration activities. Partnerships with local organizations and youth-serving agencies strengthened mentorship opportunities and expanded access to positive youth development experiences.
Together, these programs demonstrate how 4-H across the Northeast is advancing the Land-grant mission by creating vibrant communities, strengthening workforce readiness, and expanding access to experiential education. Through partnerships among universities, Extension systems, volunteers and local communities, 4-H programs are helping youth discover their interests, develop leadership skills and address real-world challenges.
These efforts also align with the Northeast Agenda’s priorities of strengthening community well-being, advancing science literacy, supporting resilient food systems, and fostering collaborative solutions to regional challenges. By investing in youth development and creating pathways for meaningful engagement, 4-H is helping prepare a generation of informed, capable and civically engaged leaders ready to contribute to the long-term vitality of the Northeast and the nation.