Greetings from Melanie Biersmith: 2025 Cloverleaf Magazine
State 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith celebrates with 4-H’er Lizzy Norton during State Council.
We are so proud to share another year of incredible impact with this edition of Cloverleaf magazine.
The work we have highlighted here is a direct reflection of hundreds of employees, thousands of volunteers, and additional contributions of many generous donors and supporters.
The pages of this magazine illustrate how Georgia 4-H is preparing young people to be BEYOND READY for work and for life. Many of our 4-H’ers participated in a recent national index study that provided data to support what we already knew – our 4-H’ers are healthy, productive, and engaged.
The national index study produced key highlights that help us elevate our impact:
As it relates to their health, 84% of youth respondents said 4-H is influential in their ability to care for their physical health.
In terms of productivity, 87% of youth respondents said they fill their time with positive activities.
Related to engagement, 82% of youth respondents said 4-H is influential in their desire for community engagement.
Regarding personal growth, 93% of youth respondents reported that 4-H gives them the opportunity to explore things that they care about, and 89% stated that 4-H is influential in helping them be ready for work and careers.
Addressing positive influences, 93% of youth respondents reported that adults in 4-H stretch them and push them in new ways and 97% reported that adults in 4-H respect them.
These statistics show us that Georgia 4-H’ers are thriving.
We are proud to be able to report this positive impact: it validates our approaches, encourages us to continue, and helps us recognize that this is only possible because of the incredible efforts of the entire Georgia 4-H and UGA Extension community.
I invite you to read more about our work and continue to engage with 4-H as we work together to make the best better.
With gratitude,
Melanie Biersmith
State 4-H Leader
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.