Join me as I sit down with Kayla Boerboom (West Virginia Univerity 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent) and Katie Buckley (Univerisity of Illinois 4-H Youth Development Educator) who were members of the National 4-H STEM Challenge Design Team as we discuss this year's National 4-H STEM Challenge: Power Protectors. Developed by 4-H educators from Cornell University, University of Illinois, Utah State University, and West Virginia University, Power Protectors is a collection of three activities that teach kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. The STEM Challenge kit is perfect for youth ages 8-14. During the episode, we will discuss how the challenge was designed, the target audience, training and support materials, and reasons why 4-H Educators and Volunteers should implement this challenge with youth across the United States. To learn more about the Challenge please visit: https://4-h.org/programs/stem-challenge/

Welcome to season two of the 4-H Conversations and Coffee podcast!! Today I'm sitting down with Andrea Rice, the Marketing Strategy Specialist for the Penn State College of Agriculture, who works exclusively with the Penn State Extension 4-H Program. We discuss Starbucks Coffee visits during the pandemic, the importance of website design and functionality, lead generation concepts, and A/B testing (split testing) strategies in marketing. Each topic, except Starbucks, applies premier marketing concepts to the 4-H Youth Development world. What marketing strategies are you using to gain new members, volunteers, and supporters for the 4-H program? Grab your favorite beverage of choice, and let's have a conversation.

On today's episode, I am joined by Phil Hoy, the Risk and Volunteer Management Coordinator for Penn State University Extension. We discuss Phil's role within Extension, what risk management is and some of the components that the 4-H program needs to ensure are evaluated, the steps required to become a 4-H volunteer, and we also discuss Phil's hobby of woodworking. Thanks again for listening. If you join us on Spotify, please consider participating in our poll question. If you have any comments, questions, or topics you would like to discuss in future episodes, please email us at [email protected]. For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-H

On today's podcast, I visit with Robin Oberdorf, a 4-H Educator in Montour County, and Paul McFarland Jr., the Pennsylvania 4-H Environmental Science, Shooting Sports, and Camping Specialist. We discuss 4-H programming and leadership development in camp settings. Topics covered include the goals of 4-H camps, camp counselor trainings, camp safety, and the impact camp has had personally for Robin and Paul. Thanks again for listening, and if you have any questions or would like to suggest future topics, please leave me a comment and share your camp stories! For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h

On today's podcast, I visit with Morgan Doyle, a 4-H Educator in Philadelphia, and Shawn Graves, the 4-H Educator in Erie County. We discuss 4-H programming in Urban settings. Topics covered include youth development programming needs, community engagement, how Extension can meet the needs of communities, and what motivates Morgan and Shawn to do excellent positive youth development work. Also, not surprising we discuss tea and not coffee! I want to apologize for some audio quality issues with this episode. Due to weather and travel, we recorded this episode online and had some bandwidth issues. I'll continue to work on increasing the quality and content for upcoming episodes. Thanks again for listening, and if you have any questions or would like to suggest future topics, please leave me a comment! For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h

For our 8th episode, we’re joined by Sandi Graham and Erin Greenleaf and we are going to be discussing some of our healthy living and culinary programming and the impact of cooking together in 4-H.  Sandi the 4-H Educator in Lackawanna County and she works with the Stir-it-Up Saturdays 4-H program. Erin is a 4-H Biosecurity Educator for the eastern side of Pennsylvania and she works with the Get to the Meat of It 4-H program.  For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h For more information  about Stir-it-Up Saturdays!: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/opportunities/programs/healthy-living-and-wellness/stir-it-up-saturdays-spin-club

In this episode, I’m joined by Nora Carter, a Pennsylvania 4-H member, and former Pennsylvania 4-H State Council member. Norah is also the National 4-H Youth in Action Award Winner for the Healthy Living Pillar. I’m also joined by Matthew Crutchman, the 4-H Educator in Allegheny County. Join us as we drink coffee and discuss youth mental health and ways that 4-H can help youth who are experiencing these stressors in their lives. National 4-H Youth in Action Award Winners: shorturl.at/eM139 Learn more about Pennsylvania 4-H: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h

For our 6th episode, we’re joined by two Pennsylvania 4-H members who serve on the Pennsylvania State 4-H Council.  The 4-H State Council is the pinnacle leadership opportunity, and youth serve a one-year term while representing the entire organization. Grab your coffee or beverage of choice and enjoy some insights from our members.

Join me as I sit down with two Pennsylvania 4-H Educators at different points in their careers. We will discuss their typical day on the job, interactions with volunteers, and how they balance their jobs and personal lives. To learn more about their County 4-H Programs visit:  Kathleen Weller, Snyder County, PA: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/snyder Emily Shoop, Mifflin County, PA: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/mifflin

Join me for episode 4 where I sit down with Dr. Kate Guerdat, the State 4-H Program Leader for the New Hampshire 4-H Program. Kate and I discuss what 4-H could potentially look like in the year 2040 as well as the impact 4-H has on youth members.