Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health.

So, what exactly are pollinators? Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are responsible for bringing us one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce.

If you enjoy coffee, chocolate, apples, almonds, and many other foods that are part of our daily lives, you may be surprised to learn that without pollinators they might no longer exist. About 35 percent of the world’s food crops are the result of pollinating species, an essential component in global food production.

Learning about the importance and benefits of pollinators on the world’s food supply is the idea behind the 4-H Pollinator Habitat Program. The three-year program aims to teach 30,000 youth nationwide about the importance of pollinators and pollinator habitats, while encouraging the establishment of quality pollinator habitats at 22 sites across the country.

The program features a “Teens as Teachers” approach which is a true win-win for kids. The young people learn skills from teen ambassadors they look up to while 4-H teens develop their leadership skills through teaching.

The great thing about Pollinator Week is that you can celebrate and get involved any way you like! Kids can take part in craft activities by making their own ants from clothes pins and pipe cleaners, or designing a butterfly using a coffee filter and food dye, among many other ideas found on the 4-H website. https://www.4-h.org or http://www.4-h.org/corteva

4-H teen ambassador Grace Moeller from Minnesota will join Rancher & 4-H Mom Natalie Kovarik to discuss the 4-H Pollinator Habitat Program, how kids can get involved during National Pollinator Week, and the importance of the program for the future of U.S. agriculture and the global food supply.

Grace Moeller
Grace is a 17-year-old Pollinator Ambassador from Blue Earth County, Minnesota. She is passionate about pollinators, climate change, and the outdoors. Grace loves to ride horses, design clothes, and run Cross Country + Track and Field.

Natalie Kovarik
From the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, Natalie Kovarik shares her ranching and familying story to showcase the beauty behind the western lifestyle as well as foster a community that supports and trusts in agriculture as much as she does. Most of her days are spent bouncing around in a dusty old tractor or out in pasture on horseback, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. With roots firmly planted in the ranching community, she aims to spend her time advocating for rural life while collecting meaningful moments on her ranch with her ever-growing family.

Interview is courtesy: National 4-H Council & Corteva AgriScience
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Now an Innovative 4-H Program Is Changing That for Millions

The “American Dream” is built on the idea that with hard work, upward mobility and success are possible. In our ever evolving and technology dependent society, digital skills and broadband access are necessary tools for achievement.

However, more than 24 million people living in the U.S., including 19 million in rural communities, do not have access to broadband, also known as high speed internet. That leaves a large portion of today’s teens locked out when it comes to high speed internet. This essential service in today’s economy impacts everything from children’s education to their future economic mobility.

Recent research shows that overall, teens without broadband access feel less equipped online with it comes to connecting, creating and learning. The research also shows:

 Almost half of teens surveyed said they’ve struggled to complete homework due to slow internet connections
 Teens without broadband are less optimistic about their social mobility for higher education & careers
 43% of rural teens surveyed plan to leave their hometowns and 34% of those teens cite poor internet connectivity as the reason; which means these towns are losing talent and future innovation.

As leaders in positive youth development, National 4-H Council partnered with Microsoft on the 4-H Tech Changemakers program. The initiative is aimed at closing the connectivity gap in rural areas by empowering teens to bring technology and digital skills to their communities. The program works to position digital skills as a valuable life skill that’s necessary for improving non-urban communities’ path towards economic mobility.

The 4-H Tech Changemakers are working with broadband service providers throughout the U.S., along with community members and civic leaders to help teens gain the digital skills needed to benefit from technology and high-speed connectivity, which includes everything from online safety to computer basics and device training.

On Friday, April 24, join members of the 4-H Tech Changemakers to learn more about the programs being implemented, how they’re helping to bridge this technological gap and make sure that all community members across the country have the tools and skills they need to achieve the American dream.

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Agriculture pioneer, autism activist Temple Grandin receives 4-H Distinguished Alumni Medallion

This evening, National 4-H Council will hold its annual 4-H Legacy Awards Gala at the Hilton New York in New York City. Now in its fourth year, this special evening of celebration honors the remarkable achievements of individuals and corporations that have made lasting contributions in support of the 7 million 4-H young people around the world. Since its inception, the 4-H Legacy Awards have raised more than $2 million for 4-H programs.

This year, the 4-H Legacy Awards will honor Tractor Supply Company (TSC) with the 4-H Corporate Leadership Award; Temple Grandin, Ph.D. with the 4-H Distinguished Alumni Medallion; and Oklahoma 4-H’er Elisabeth Willis with the 4-H Youth in Action Award.

“4-H makes a significant, positive difference in the lives of young people all around the world. From working to feed a hungry planet, to driving STEM workforce development and improving the health and wellness of youth, their families and their communities, 4-H changes young lives.” said Donald T. Floyd Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “Our honorees tonight are amazing individuals and corporate partners that help us deliver on this important mission. We will celebrate their remarkable contributions and reflect on all that we have been able to accomplish together.”

Greg Sandfort, president and CEO of Tractor Supply Company, will accept the 4-H Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of the company. The annual award is presented to a corporation or partner that has demonstrated its dedication to 4-H through continued support and engagement. TSC and 4-H share the belief that youth development is vital to the success of our nation. Their investment of more than $3 million has positively impacted young people in more than 1,200 unique communities nationwide.

TSC stores have been investing in 4-H locally for many years, but a national partnership, developed in 2010, launched new semi-annual, in-store Paper Clover fundraisers across the nation in more than 1,200 TSC stores. TSC is helping to fund the various ways that millions of 4-H young people are learning life skills, citizenship and leadership qualities, and ultimately emerging as the future leaders of America.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D. will be presented with the 4-H Distinguished Alumni Medallion. Dr. Grandin is a world famous animal scientist, researcher and professor at Colorado State University. She is known for her revolutionary work in the livestock industry, and as an animal welfare and autism activist. A bestselling author whose life story sparked a self-titled, award-winning HBO biopic, Temple has inspired individuals worldwide. As a New Hampshire 4-H alumna, Dr. Grandin believes that exposing youth to agriculture at an early age will jump start their interest in a variety of future STEM careers.

The 4-H Youth in Action Award will be presented to Elisabeth Willis, an inspiring high-school student from Pittsburg County, Oklahoma who has made a significant impact in her community by single handedly raising $10,000 for the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester (TEAM)—a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth and adults access equine therapy. In addition, Elisabeth helped establish a local TEAM 4-H club to raise awareness for the program. In addition to her passion for helping others, Elisabeth has served as an Oklahoma State 4-H Ambassador and through 4-H has learned the power of leadership and personal responsibility.

For more information on the 4-H Legacy Awards Gala and its honorees, visit www.4-H.org/gala.

About 4-H 
4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. The 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

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