In 2014, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which established the Cooperative Extension Service, a state-by-state national network of educators who extend university-based research and knowledge to the people.
Louisiana 4-H volunteers are an essential part of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. As a volunteer, you bring the 4-H Positive Youth Development Program to kids across our state. A new study from Tufts University found that compared to their peers, youth involved in 4-H programs are four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (Grades 7-12) and two times more likely to be civically active (Grades 8-12).
So in celebrating the centennial of the Smith-Lever Act, we are celebrating the centennial of citizens like you who have been helping to improve your communities by sharing knowledge.
Thank you, and may you and your 4-H'ers have a happy new year.
