4-H Conversations and Coffee

Join me as I sit down with Kayla Boerboom (West Virginia Univerity 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent) and Katie Buckley (Univerisity of Illinois 4-H Youth Development Educator) who were members of the National 4-H STEM Challenge Design Team as we discuss this year's National 4-H STEM Challenge: Power Protectors. Developed by 4-H educators from Cornell University, University of Illinois, Utah State University, and West Virginia University, Power Protectors is a collection of three activities that teach kids how to address real-world issues and explore careers in energy. The STEM Challenge kit is perfect for youth ages 8-14. During the episode, we will discuss how the challenge was designed, the target audience, training and support materials, and reasons why 4-H Educators and Volunteers should implement this challenge with youth across the United States. To learn more about the Challenge please visit: https://4-h.org/programs/stem-challenge/

Welcome to season two of the 4-H Conversations and Coffee podcast!! Today I'm sitting down with Andrea Rice, the Marketing Strategy Specialist for the Penn State College of Agriculture, who works exclusively with the Penn State Extension 4-H Program. We discuss Starbucks Coffee visits during the pandemic, the importance of website design and functionality, lead generation concepts, and A/B testing (split testing) strategies in marketing. Each topic, except Starbucks, applies premier marketing concepts to the 4-H Youth Development world. What marketing strategies are you using to gain new members, volunteers, and supporters for the 4-H program? Grab your favorite beverage of choice, and let's have a conversation.

On today's episode, I am joined by Phil Hoy, the Risk and Volunteer Management Coordinator for Penn State University Extension. We discuss Phil's role within Extension, what risk management is and some of the components that the 4-H program needs to ensure are evaluated, the steps required to become a 4-H volunteer, and we also discuss Phil's hobby of woodworking. Thanks again for listening. If you join us on Spotify, please consider participating in our poll question. If you have any comments, questions, or topics you would like to discuss in future episodes, please email us at pa4H@psu.edu. For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-H

On today's podcast, I visit with Robin Oberdorf, a 4-H Educator in Montour County, and Paul McFarland Jr., the Pennsylvania 4-H Environmental Science, Shooting Sports, and Camping Specialist. We discuss 4-H programming and leadership development in camp settings. Topics covered include the goals of 4-H camps, camp counselor trainings, camp safety, and the impact camp has had personally for Robin and Paul. Thanks again for listening, and if you have any questions or would like to suggest future topics, please leave me a comment and share your camp stories! For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h

On today's podcast, I visit with Morgan Doyle, a 4-H Educator in Philadelphia, and Shawn Graves, the 4-H Educator in Erie County. We discuss 4-H programming in Urban settings. Topics covered include youth development programming needs, community engagement, how Extension can meet the needs of communities, and what motivates Morgan and Shawn to do excellent positive youth development work. Also, not surprising we discuss tea and not coffee! I want to apologize for some audio quality issues with this episode. Due to weather and travel, we recorded this episode online and had some bandwidth issues. I'll continue to work on increasing the quality and content for upcoming episodes. Thanks again for listening, and if you have any questions or would like to suggest future topics, please leave me a comment! For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h

For our 8th episode, we're joined by Sandi Graham and Erin Greenleaf and we are going to be discussing some of our healthy living and culinary programming and the impact of cooking together in 4-H. Sandi the 4-H Educator in Lackawanna County and she works with the Stir-it-Up Saturdays 4-H program. Erin is a 4-H Biosecurity Educator for the eastern side of Pennsylvania and she works with the Get to the Meat of It 4-H program. For more information about Pennsylvania 4-H visit: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h For more information about Stir-it-Up Saturdays!: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/opportunities/programs/healthy-living-and-wellness/stir-it-up-saturdays-spin-club

In this episode, I'm joined by Nora Carter, a Pennsylvania 4-H member, and former Pennsylvania 4-H State Council member. Norah is also the National 4-H Youth in Action Award Winner for the Healthy Living Pillar. I'm also joined by Matthew Crutchman, the 4-H Educator in Allegheny County. Join us as we drink coffee and discuss youth mental health and ways that 4-H can help youth who are experiencing these stressors in their lives. National 4-H Youth in Action Award Winners: shorturl.at/eM139 Learn more about Pennsylvania 4-H: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h

For our 6th episode, we're joined by two Pennsylvania 4-H members who serve on the Pennsylvania State 4-H Council. The 4-H State Council is the pinnacle leadership opportunity, and youth serve a one-year term while representing the entire organization. Grab your coffee or beverage of choice and enjoy some insights from our members.

Join me as I sit down with two Pennsylvania 4-H Educators at different points in their careers. We will discuss their typical day on the job, interactions with volunteers, and how they balance their jobs and personal lives. To learn more about their County 4-H Programs visit: Kathleen Weller, Snyder County, PA: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/snyder Emily Shoop, Mifflin County, PA: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/mifflin

Join me for episode 4 where I sit down with Dr. Kate Guerdat, the State 4-H Program Leader for the New Hampshire 4-H Program. Kate and I discuss what 4-H could potentially look like in the year 2040 as well as the impact 4-H has on youth members.

Join us for a special episode of the 4-H Conversations and Coffee podcast as I have a conversation with some special guests from Rutgers University Extension, Rachel Lyons who serves as the State 4-H Program Leader and Assistant Director at Rutgers University and Janice McDonnell, who is an Associate Professor and Science, Engineering, and Technology Agent who works with the 4-H Program at Rutgers University and Janice is also affiliated with the Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences. Janice is the lead developer and designer of the 2022 4-H STEM Challenge: Explorers of the Deep! 2022 4-H STEM Challenge Website: shorturl.at/iKV01 National 4-H Council Teen Environmental Impact Survey: https://4-h.org/about/research/teen-environmental-impact-survey/ RCE Extension 360 Podcast [Rachel Lyons and Kathleen Howell]: Available on Spotify! Check it out!!

In our third episode, we're joined by Dr. Brent Hales, who serves as the Associate Dean for the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, and he is also the Director of Penn State Extension. We are also joined by Dr. Katherine Cason who serves as the Associate Director of Penn State Extension. We discuss how 4-H has impacted their lives and also what 4-H could look like in the future.

Join me as I sit down with Paul McFarland Jr. the Penn State Extension 4-H Environmental Science, Shooting Sports, and Camping Specialist as we discuss the 4-H Shooting Sports program and how it embraces positive youth development. Grab your favorite coffee, your headphones, and enjoy!

Join me as I have a conversation and some amazing coffee with Kirsten Dubbs, the Pennsylvania 4-H State Animal Science Specialist as we discuss the 4-H Animal Science program, the learning objectives, and 4-H Animal Science Camp. Grab your coffee and earbuds, and join us for episode 1 of the 4-H Conversations and Coffee Podcast!