North Dakota State University

On This Page:

• Acres of Adventure
• Cloverbud
• Food, Culture and Reading
• Exploring the Treasures of 4-H
• Healthy North Dakota Clubs (Eat Smart. Play Hard., Walk North Dakota, Family Mealtime Challenge)
• Learn Abouts
• Reading Makes Cents
• There's No New Water

(Grades 3-5)This after-school agriculture program contains 40 hands-on lessons developed in cooperation with curriculum specialists from the National Consortium of State Agriculture in the Classroom programs, Extension 4-H professionals and experts from the field of child-care education. Designed for grade 3-5 audiences, this curriculum has two units that develops the understanding, appreciation and application of science through a variety of agriculturally-based activities.

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(Grades K-2)
The 4-H Cloverbud program is a non-competitive program for the youngest 4-Her's. Cloverbud will be introduced to 4-H through club involvement and lessons that are developmentally appropriate. 

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Food, Culture and Reading is a nutrition education curriculum that uses literature to learn about food, healthy living and different cultures. Through experiential activities, youth will be able to recognize a variety of healthful foods within food groups, taste new foods from other cultures, explore the similarities of food, and develop an understanding and appreciation of cultures that are different than their own. (106 pages)

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(Grades 2-4)
This youth activity guide provides a "treasure hunt" for youth to explore the joys of 4-H by discoering their interests, potential 4-H projects and finding 4-H where they live with the guidance of parents or other adult helpers.

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To receive the Healthy North Dakota 4-H Club designation, clubs are required to incorporate at least one health, nutrition, food safety or physical activity into a minimum of six regular meetings during the year.

"Eat Smart. Play Hard."
Part of the Healthy ND 4-H club project is a statewide campaign that emphasizes the importance of making healthy food choices, getting regular exercise and families eating together. The North Dakota State University Extension Service and Bison Athletics teamed up to launch the initiative in 2005.

Club members receive a recognition certificate and Eat Smart. Play Hard. incentive. The NDSU Extension Service developed the incentives with funding from the following sponsors: AmeriFlax, Healthy North Dakota Initiative, Midwest Dairy Association, NDSU Foundation, North Dakota Beef Commission, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, North Dakota Dietetic Association, North Dakota Nutrition Council, North Dakota School Nutrition Association, North Dakota Soybean Council, North Dakota Wheat Commission, Northarvest Bean Growers, Northern Canola Growers Association, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, Northern Pulse Growers Association.

Family Mealtime Challenge
The goal of the Family Mealtime Challenge is to encourage families to eat with all members of their immediate family present five times per week for a month (four weeks). Forms and directions are available in the Resources & Links below.

4-H clubs interested in participating in the North Dakota Healthy 4-H Club program should contact their local Extension office.

Resources & Links:

• ND 4-H Recreation Games and Activities 
• Activities to Promote Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Habits Among Children

Eat Smart. Play Hard Healthy 4-H Club Recognition Program

• Healthy North Dakota 4-H Club Leaders Guide
• Healthy North Dakota 4-H Club Member Handout
• Healthy North Dakota 4-H Club Recording Sheet
• Eat Smart. Play Hard. Together Activities Guide
• 4-H Recreation Games & Activities

Eat Smart. Play Hard. Poster Contest

• "Eat Smart. Play Hard." Poster Contest Rules
• "Eat Smart. Play Hard." Poster Submission Form
• "Eat Smart. Play Hard." Contest Judging Card
• "Eat Smart. Play Hard." Web Site

Family Mealtime Challenge

• Family Mealtime Challenge Information Sheet
• Family Mealtime Challenge Tracking Form - 4-H Club Version
• Family Mealtime Challenge Tracking Form - School Classroom Version

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(Grades 3-5)
A financial literacy and reading curriculum. Includes 53 experiential activities developed around money including saving, spending, sharing, earning, borrowing, and lending. Can also be used in day camps, schools, or with other special interest groups of youth. 

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This water conservation and water quality curriculum is groundeed in a simple yet powerful concept that water is a finite natural resource and its quantity and quality must be responsibly preserved, protected, used and reused. The curriculum includes six sequential learning modules and is intended for delivery in out-of-school group settings to be facilitated by an adult. (155 pages)

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