4-H & Youth Development, 2024 Q4
Scott Dai, Extension Agent, B.S., M.S.
scott.dai@ndsu.edu
Happy New Year! Winter is upon us, but 4-H and youth programming must go on! This quarter, I’ve worked with our new teen 4-H ambassadors to plan out 2025 programming efforts, and met lots of families and 4-H members from our clubs – I still have a few more clubs to go before I’ve visited them all!
In addition to 4-H related programming, I got a taste of Extension-led programming by leading the sugar/honey station during Special Assignment Pizza, an educational program that taught 4th graders from ten schools of the agricultural products that go into making a pizza. I also learned of what it takes to organize a program by recruiting volunteers and emailing schools to ensure the program operated smoothly.
In this 4th quarter, I also helped out in a variety of different educational programs:
- Made model greenhouses during the Bakken Area Skills Center’s STEM Day at the Williston ARC.
- Taught a wildlife tracking class during Marketplace for Kids, held at Williston State College.
- Led lessons at Trenton’s After School Program.
Five months into the job, I’m getting an idea of my responsibilities as the 4-H Youth Development Agent, and I’ll be asking the community some big questions to inform me of my programming efforts. I’ll also be planning out a new NDSU initiative known as Next Chapter, where middle school students begin their career exploration and preparedness journey towards a college education, trades involvement, or leadership after high school.
Photo: Fourth graders participating in Special Assignment Pizza
