FutureRoots_Book_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 80
4-H: EMPOWERING YOUTH TO LEAD
F
or Chandra Vaughan, Associate Extension Educator with University of Idaho
Extension in Blaine County, 4-H fosters strong relationships between young
people, caring adults, and the community
around them. Those relationships are
grounded in the four pillars stated in the
4-H Pledge: Head for clearer thinking and
decision-making, Heart for greater loyalty
and personal values, Hands for larger
service and practical skills, and Health
for better living and well-being. “4-H is
about empowering youth to discover their
strengths and use them to improve the
world around them,” Vaughan says. “When
kids feel like they belong, real learning
can happen.”
That philosophy reaches far beyond
Blaine County. As America’s largest youth
development organization, 4-H empowers
nearly six million young people across the
United States with the skills to lead for a
lifetime. The program took root in Idaho in
1902 and gained momentum following the
Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which established
the Cooperative Extension Service and formally connected 4-H to land-grant universities like the University of Idaho and the United States
Department of Agriculture. Today’s 4-H programs take a broad approach to youth development,
offering hands-on learning in STEAM, civic engagement, and healthy living.
In Blaine County, those opportunities take many forms. About 165 youth participate in 11
traditional 4-H clubs supported by nearly 20 adult volunteers. Beyond club meetings, Vaughan
coordinates summer day camps, after-school programs, and overnight experiences. Through
a partnership with Far & Wise, 4-H provides after-school programming that builds consistency
and connection. Vaughan also collaborates with the SNRA and the U.S. Forest Service to offer
Adventure Quest, an overnight camp focused on outdoor education, teamwork, and leadership.
“Every young person deserves a place where they feel safe, valued, and capable of learning
something new,” she says.
The Blaine County Fair, held August 3–8, is a cornerstone of 4-H programming. Through
the Market Animal Program, youth raise beef, sheep, swine, goats, and poultry, developing
responsibility, record-keeping skills, public speaking, and resilience. The Market Animal Sale
on Saturday morning of fair week at the Carey Fairgrounds connects youth directly with local
buyers. Vaughan says that the fair is a great way to support 4-H participants. “They can sponsor
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