4-H and John Deere have successfully impacted countless youth and their communities as a result of our longstanding partnership and complementary missions. Thanks to the generous financial support of John Deere and the company’s acknowledgement that youth are a valuable resource, National 4‑H Council was able to build capacity of youth to serve as change agents through the National John Deere Leaders Academy. Youth and adults were trained in youth in governance principles and came up with action plans to address problems in their own communities.
Faces of the Partnership
John Deere 4-H Leaders' Academy
Seventeen-year-old Wesley Smith is prepared to implement statewide change in the area of youth in governance in his home state of Mississippi after being energized by three days of intensive training at the first John Deere 4-H Leaders Academy.
Over the course of the John Deere 4-H Leaders’ Academy, youth and adults immersed themselves in learning the key skills and tools needed to initiate the youth in governance model in their states. They tailored their training experiences to their individual learning goals and levels of experience via a web-based they completed prior to the academy.
Smith said he and Manola Erby, a youth specialist at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, will team up with the youth/adult team from Delaware State University to replicate the leadership academy specifically for youth and adults involved in 4‑H programs through 1890 land-grant institutions.
“Because of this leadership academy, I look forward to working in youth and adult partnerships. My bond with Manola Erby is stronger, and I believe I will be able to work more effectively with her in our community,” Smith said. “I am president of my 4‑H club, so what I learned here will help me be a better facilitator, and hopefully, I will be able to use these skills on another level.”
For more information about this corporate partner, go to: John Deere
If you would like to become a corporate partner of National 4‑H Council, please contact:
Jill Bramble
Director, National Partnerships
Phone: (301) 961-2879
jbramble@fourhcouncil.edu