by Duncan Taylor

Created on: November 25, 2008

4-H: Leading the World

The 4-H Program is a youth development organization that is apart of the Cooperative Extension Service, a group administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Because of the significance it places on developing individuals into the best they possibly can be, 4-H has grown into the largest and most respected youth-orientated organization in the world. Lessons learned and experiences had because of this extremely educational program will stay with former members throughout their life and benefit them in ways they may not realize. Therefore, because of the public speaking skills learned by competing in communication contests and presentations, workshops that allow members to focus on disciplines they take interest in, and leadership roles that identify the strengths and weaknesses of yourself, while meeting different kinds of people, make 4-H an educational organization that will unleash the true capability of members into their adult life.

The art of public speaking is a skill one learns by retentively speaking before a crowd or group they may not usually speak in front of. Most 4-H members develop this important skill by preparing a speech or demonstration for speaking contests about a project they completed within the most recent program year (4-H 434-435). These contests can occur on the club, local, state, regional, or the national level depending on what the project description entitles and the level of commitment the participating member are willing to strive for. By being able to take part in speaking contests or other presentation forms, youth are better able to develop this very useful skill, which will allow them to one day become productive members of society (4-H, 2008). Programs offered by 4-H such as this, offer many rewards for the individuals dedicated enough to strive their hardest, showing up in the later years of their life.

In addition to developing speaking skills through the participation in public speaking and demonstration contests about a recent program they completed, skills like this can be earned through other activities as well. By participating in national teen opportunities such as National 4-H Conference, Citizenship Washington Focus, and National Youth Issues Conference, individuals learn how to address a group about a topic pertaining to the conference (Ohio 4-H Teen Opportunities 1). Presentations like these are prepared by a group of paired attendees and given in the form of a speech

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