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Motivation matters in volunteer recruitment

By Jeremy Freeman We all would appreciate having more volunteers to share and lead the work we do. But does it matter how we communicate about a volunteer opportunity? Are volunteers motivated by different factors? In this post I will recap findings from a study on volunteer motivation, recruitment and retention and give you some strategies to consider as you target new volunteers in your organization. When it comes to motivation to volunteer the research is clear , there are several different motivational factors that drive volunteers, and these motivations can in part be attributed to differences in age. Of specific note studies suggest younger volunteers (age 16-24) are far more likely to be motivated towards opportunities that teach new skills and aid career development while older volunteers (65+) are more likely to be drawn by the cause, especially if it has ties to their religious or philosophical values.  This has practical implications for the ways we communicate and create vo
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Ditch the screen and go for green

By Jessica Pierson Russo When it came to screen time, as a parent of young children, I was never fully confident about what I should and shouldn’t let my children do. Fortunately, there are better parent resources now than when my own children were younger (see the American Academy of Pediatrics for recommendations on how to limit screen time based on age ). But as youth work professionals, what can our role be in helping youth and their caregivers find the right balance, especially for those younger ages?  The first thing we can do is be well-informed on the issue. Excessive screen time can interfere with developmental milestones in younger children, including language acquisition, social skill development, and physical coordination. The fast-paced and highly stimulating content of screen activities can also cause attention and focus issues with slower-paced activities such as reading and playing with toys. One study found that excessive screen time simulated for mice strongly impac

The power of self-reflection in youth development work

By Nicole Kudrle I recently completed the county 4-H showcase, a 5-day event that is focused around youth development and showcases youth’s sparks. This event  consists of long hot days, jam-packed schedules, lots of volunteer help, and loads of fun and laughter! This year was no exception, however I was also provided with lots of unanticipated challenges throughout the week.  During the first evening we encountered a very large storm that incorporated wind, dirt/sand, rain, and even hail. I am happy to say no injuries were reported. As someone who works in youth development, my first instinct was to make sure everyone was okay, help clean up after the storm, and then immediately start to think on what could be done to improve the situation for next time.  As I was leaving that evening, a 4-H volunteer stopped me and asked, "What was the best part of my day". I was stumped, my mind had been so focused on how to address the unforeseen event and how to improve things, that I fo

Budding global awareness

By Anja Johnson Despite the increasing awareness regarding sustainability and agriculture, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. Since 2020, we have witnessed a surge in sustainable agriculture practices. According to the 2025 Minnesota AFNR blueprint review , agriculture education continues to grow in both urban and rural communities. The once prevalent rural community agriculture is now being interwoven into urban areas across Minnesota. Recognizing the trend towards sustainable agriculture, Minnesota 4-H created a curriculum to educate both youth and adults across Minnesota and beyond. Fields, Food, and You: Cultivating Global Agriculture Awareness was designed to be adaptable for various audiences and environments, ensuring a broad reach and impact. A curriculum for both urban and rural youth in grades 3-8 The "Fields, Food, and You" curriculum comprises 10 lessons focused on agronomy. Each lesson includes modifications to help facilitators adapt the c

Filling the financial literacy gap through positive youth development

By Darcy Cole In America, young adults owe over $1 trillion in debt (the top two debt sources being mortgages and student loans ), with nearly 70% of millennials living paycheck to paycheck. These statistics demonstrate a systemic issue and the need for increased financial literacy education for all young people to both prevent and manage debt. Many schools (and for that fact, families) do not place enough emphasis on teaching financial literacy skills to youth. This gap is an opportunity for youth development organizations to step in to fill a crucial need. Our programs can serve as a safe environment for youth to learn essential financial literacy life skills.  Ramsey Education's Financial Literacy Crisis in America: 2023 Report further demonstrates the need for increased attention to financial literacy for U.S. adults. Findings include that: 88% of adults said that high school did not leave them "fully-prepared" to handle money. 74% of adults said they would have ma

Astronomy as a tool to broader learning

By Sarah Devine My love of astronomy started before I can remember. I was always the kid who was going to be an astronaut. As I grew up and went through school, that passion ebbed and flowed, music came in for many years as my primary activity, but science was always right there behind it. I remember my parents suggesting I should only take one science class at a time during high school so that I could keep balance in my life. While I never thought I’d be an educator, I followed new opportunities as they arose and found my way to teaching. Through teaching science and sharing my passion for astronomy, I do get to be an astronaut and explorer, at least virtually in the planetarium and when using telescopes.  So why do I share this story with you? Youth development is about helping youth find their sparks and passions. It's about helping them grow the skills needed in our modern, culturally connected world. I’ve seen how a passionate mentor or educator can open new ideas for youth,

Portraits of greatness

By Savannah Aanerud What makes a leader a great one? My colleague Anna Rose and I recently had the privilege of leading 34 youth and 4 chaperones on the trip of a lifetime to Washington D.C. for the National 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Conference . CWF’s mission is that, "Youth will learn about leadership through the lens of American Democracy." We toured Smithsonian museums, national monuments, and Arlington Cemetery to explore what it means to be an agent of change. While touring the National Portrait Gallery , we explored democracy through the people who have helped shape our country, from poets to presidents and from activists to visionaries. What is a portrait?  One of my favorite definitions comes from the National Gallery of Ireland : "A portrait is an artwork that tells a person’s story. The artwork can be made of any material, from painting on canvas to a piece of performance art!" We saw portraits of impactful individuals such as Benjamin Frankl