A host of research studies have found that youth with leadership experience have advantages later in life, including cognitive ability, salary, and gender equity. UConn 4-H, which is a program administered by UConn Extension, understands how important leadership experience is, and its programs assist youth in acquiring leadership experience, along with knowledge, and life skills.

Nationally, 4-H uses the thriving model to help youth with developmental and long-term outcomes. Programming opportunities include community clubs, individual projects, after-school programs, and camps, among others.

UConn 4-H’s State Teen Council works to educate and enhance 4-H in Connecticut through statewide activities, civic engagement, and facilitating programs that occur at the club, county, and state levels. The Teen Council consists of two youths from each of Connecticut’s eight counties. Council members meet monthly and conduct community service, leadership, and civic engagement activities for UConn 4-H members statewide to build leadership, community, and connection among the county 4-H programs.

Rylee Judson of Tolland joined UConn 4-H at age seven after visiting the 4-H fair. She is currently a member of the UConn 4-H Teen Council, serves on the Tolland County 4-H Fair Board, and is a member of the Paca Pals 4-H Club, a club devoted to alpacas.

During Judson’s 10 years as a 4-H member, she’s shown alpacas, had a poultry project, and this year she had a small engine project too.

“Being able to bond with the alpaca and almost train them is rewarding,” Judson says. “They listen to you once you make a bond.”

The 4-H model helps youth progressively build upon their experiences and offers teens regional and national opportunities. Youth work together at national events on issues affecting their communities, while also gaining valuable leadership and civic engagement experiences.

Judson represented UConn 4-H at Citizenship Washington Focus and was one of four delegates from Connecticut at the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., this past April. In November, she’s attending the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.

“It’s so amazing being able to connect with people from throughout the United States and America Samoa too and seeing their beliefs and what 4-H means to them,” Judson says.

The Teen Council helps plan state 4-H programs, including Citizenship Day, held each April in Hartford. This year, the Council presented a community-building workshop on civic engagement for attendees and a leadership workshop for UConn 4-H members at the UConn Storrs campus where youth participated in mock meetings.

“Teen councils are vital for empowering young leaders and enhancing the impact of 4-H in our communities,” says Maryann Fusco-Rollins, an assistant extension educator in 4-H and youth development. “In 2019, I was first approached about starting a UConn 4-H Teen Council by two 4-H members who had recently returned from several national trips. They recognized the potential for a teen council in Connecticut, inspired by what they had seen in other states. Together, we worked with the UConn 4-H team to bring this vision to life.”

The Teen Council’s initiatives and role help ensure the youth voice is present and drives programming, creating authentic programs that address the needs and current issues youth members are facing.

“This is my first year in Teen Council; I want to build my leadership and public speaking skills, connect counties, and pass that on to younger 4-Hers so they can get involved,” Judson says.

The Teen Council is once again offering leadership workshops and community service projects statewide. Past initiatives include trail and county cleanups. Overall, the Teen Council members want more youth seeking offices in their clubs and on the county fair associations. Judson believes that her involvement has helped her with forming connections and relating to others, skills that will also help as she pursues a nursing career.

“You can make lifelong friends in 4-H and have so many great experiences,” Judson says. “4-H is unique from other youth organizations because it gives youth the opportunity to learn life skills in agriculture, public speaking, and leadership, and have the power and a voice in their club or county.”

Selection is underway for UConn 4-H’s Teen Council for the 2024-2025 academic year. To become involved as a youth or adult volunteer, visit the UConn 4-H website.