4-H Youth Development

Institute provides nature experiences, education for Portland-area youth

Research shows that people of color are far less likely to engage in nature-based outdoor recreation activities, with historic discrimination being a large underlying factor. People of color are three times more likely than white ...

Feb 2023 | Impact Story

Washington County 4-H assembles, donates 1,300 STEM Kits for youths

Through the Oregon Summer Food Service Program, free lunches are offered to all Oregon residents 18 and younger. In Washington County, Oregon’s second-most populous county behind Multnomah, free summer lunch sites include parks and...

Feb 2022 | Impact Story

'Healing Through Art' show provides outlet for Portland-area youth

In the summer of 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing and marches for social justice taking place across the United States, youth in the Portland metro area were turning to art to express themselves. Around the ...

Nov 2021 | Impact Story

Gardens address pandemic food insecurity in Warm Springs community

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that it wouldn’t be possible for the Oregon State University Extension Service to conduct in-person learning garden classes at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy and OSU ...

May 2021 | Impact Story

Virtual babysitter training provided by OSU Extension helps address Oregon's child care gap

Quality child care remains in short supply in Oregon. A 2019 report from Oregon State University found that child care “deserts” existed in all 36 of the state’s counties. During the COVID-19 pandemic many youths were ...

Apr 2023 | Impact Story

Shelter youth ignite learning sparks with 4-H activities, visit from therapy dog

The Washington County Juvenile Shelter, also known as Harkins House, is a short-term temporary residential shelter care and evaluation program for youth pending alleged violations who volunteer to participate in lieu of detention. ...

Nov 2020 | Impact Story

4-H cross-country programs provide outlet for young runners

In 2012, the St. Helens School District in Columbia County was forced to eliminate its middle school sports program. Studies show that sports participation for K-12 children have strong positive health benefits due to physical ...

Oct 2020 | Impact Story

Malheur County food pantry launches with Extension serving as resource

Nearly 40% of Malheur County’s children live in poverty, more than double the state average and ranking second only to Wheeler County, according to Oregon by the Numbers. Thirteen percent of the county’s roughly 30,500 ...

Sep 2020 | Impact Story

Healthy Kids Club addresses food insecurity through home cooking skills

About 11% of Oregon’s 4.1 million residents said they faced food insecurity in 2018, similar to the U.S. average. Oregon has more than 300,0000 food insecure children, according to Oregon by the Numbers. Compounding food and ...

Aug 2020 | Impact Story

Extension 4-H Snapchat geofilters viewed more than a million times

Looking into the future of social media marketing for Extension events, programs and educational opportunities, Extension educators must seek innovative strategies beyond the posts shared by staff and faculty. To engage, inform and ...

Jul 2020 | Impact Story