Posted: February 20, 2025
During the recent Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference, the 2025 4-H State Council announced this year’s theme to guide program participants: "Connecting Our Communities."
According to the State Council team, the theme is aimed at bridging the divide between 4-H members from rural and urban areas across the commonwealth.
In a statement announcing the theme, the council said it hopes to promote leadership, increase knowledge of all the project areas and opportunities within the Pennsylvania 4-H program, and encourage each 4-H member to try something new. The council noted that the theme enables members to interpret it in their own way. Members can step out of their comfort zones in many ways, whether by making a new friend or trying a new project area.
From animal science to STEM, Pennsylvania 4-H offers dozens of project areas. The State Council pointed out that 4-H gives youth an avenue to express their passions with others and build connections. "As 4-H members, we have a unique opportunity to build connections across the state and the nation," the council said. "We hope that you will take this opportunity to share your experiences in the 4-H program with someone you do not know or try something new for yourself."
For youth who are not yet members of 4-H, the council expressed hope that they are inspired to "connect your community to ours by joining 4-H."
The council is a premier group of young people selected from around the state as the official youth spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program. Jeanette Stackhouse, Penn State Extension 4-H education specialist for leadership and civic engagement, serves as advisor to the State Council. "State Council is the highest youth leadership opportunity in Pennsylvania 4-H," Stackhouse said. "These young people give a year of their time to serve a program that has had an impact on them."
Throughout their yearlong term, these individuals plan state-level events, such as the 4-H State Leadership Conference and SLC Junior. Council members represent the program at various events around the state, including the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Penn State’s Ag Progress Days.
They also discuss the program with government officials, industry representatives, community organizations, Penn State leadership, and external stakeholders. In addition, they promote opportunities to current 4-H members and volunteers while working to grow the program and introduce it to new families.
Council members serve as role models in teaching their peers and younger 4-H'ers about leadership, and they engage in professional development activities to enhance their own skills. "As a council, we hope to grow as individuals and work to better our communication skills within a professional setting," the council said. Serving on the council offers opportunities to learn about government and develop further skills in public speaking, time management, and team building.
More information about the 4-H State Council is available on the Penn State Extension website.
State Council members regularly visit local 4-H clubs, County Councils, and county events to assist with icebreakers, teambuilding workshops, and other topics. To request a State Council member at a community event, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
