4-H Military Project - Operation Military Kids (OMK)

Project Leader: Gretchen May

Project Year: 2009

One of the frequently overlooked consequences of American military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq is that many thousands of children of National Guard and Reserve households are experiencing the deployment of a family member.  Those children can experience problems coping with new family circumstances, new responsibilities and new stresses that are now part of their daily lives. A specific, critical need for Massachusetts is that many of our Reserve and National Guard personnel do not live on or near military bases.  Instead, thousands of military families are scattered throughout communities across the state and do not have access to the same support and resources that are often associated with living in a more concentrated military community. 

The 4-H Military Project connects children ages 5-18 with educational, recreational and social activities before, during and after the deployment of a parent.  The project provides direct assistance to military children and families and educates the broader community on the effects of deployment on children to ensure that all Massachusetts military youth are safe, healthy, and supported.

This project is a part of the 4-H Program

4-H Program Delivery and Administration

Project Leader: Sherrie Guyott

Project Year: 2009

More than 22% of the population of Massachusetts is under age 18. These young people are the future workforce and leaders of our state and our nation. The healthy development of these youth cannot be left to chance. Since 1919, the Massachusetts 4-H Program has provided support, resources and educational opportunities to Massachusetts youth. The mission of Massachusetts 4-H is to prepare youth to become independent and contributing members of society by providing them with the tools they need to be successful.
 
A statewide network of hundreds of dedicated volunteers and leaders serve as mentors and role models to 4-H youth throughout the state. Volunteers lead a variety of clubs, school enrichment activities and special interest programs that emphasize experiential learning and help youth build valuable life skills. 4-H Educators collaborate with volunteers to plan and deliver local programs, such as animal science, visual presentation programs, and community service projects that have a lasting effect on youth and a positive impact on the future success and vitality of Massachusetts.

This project is a part of the 4-H Program

4-H Sustainable Communities Projects

Project Leader: Karen Barshefsky

Project Year: 2009

The 4-H Sustainable Communities Project will engage young people in the city of Springfield in the out of school time hours to provide educational enrichment and promote life skills development. An area of national and local need that has been identified by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, National 4-H Council and UMass Extension 4-H is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education (STEM). Education in the STEM disciplines is critical for preparing a globally and regionally competitive workforce.

The Massachusetts 4-H Program is uniquely positioned in Massachusetts to assist in delivering quality educational STEM programs in out-of-school settings. The National 4-H Curriculum System provides a rich and diverse set of research, juried curricula and evaluative methodologies developed by faculty throughout the national system. 

As the 4-H Sustainable Communities Project evolves, project leaders will continue to seek partners in the Springfield community and at UMass Amherst to expand the array of educational enrichment and youth development experiences to help prepare youth for success in school while creating connections and pathways between Springfield youth and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

This project is a part of the 4-H Program

UMass Envirothon Collaborative

Project Leader: Will Snyder

Project Year: 2009

The state is fragmented into 351 local units (towns and cities) with full governance responsibility, but whose borders make a rational approach to environmental problems difficult.   Almost half of the municipalities do not have professional planning staff; their volunteer boards struggle with increasing levels of responsibility, liability and public pressure.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst possesses a strong academic and research base for addressing many elements of land use planning.  UMass Extension has also built strong collaborative relationships off campus with state environmental agencies and environmental NGOs which also offer important expertise and outreach capacity. This plan addresses both youth development and community development issues.

This project is part of the 4-H Program