Ohio 4-H announced its award of $20,000 for participation in Raise Your Hand, a national 4-H initiative asking the millions of 4‑H alumni across the nation, including 4-H alumni in Ohio, to ‘Raise Your Hand’ and pay it forward in support of providing the hands-on learning that empowers kids across America.
4-H, the largest youth development program in the nation, called on alumni to raise their hands to help bring 4-H to 10 million youth by 2025. Currently 4-H empowers nearly six million young people in every county across America, including 183,000 4-H’ers in Ohio.
“We are delighted that in the national campaign to connect with millions of 4-H alumni, our Ohio 4-H alums led the way to a first place finish,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. “When the hands were counted, the Buckeye State accounted for about one-fifth of the participants. Best of all, raising your hand meant paying it forward for the next generation and our 4-H youth programs will benefit from the $20,000 award. Thanks to all our great alumni for, once again, making us 4-H and Buckeye proud!”
With all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., participating, Ohio 4-H alumni took the lead with nearly 12,000 hands raised, with Indiana 4-H (10,600) and Texas 4-H (6,836) rounding out the top three.