In an increasingly interconnected world, Connectivity is a lifeline that bridges gaps, facilitates knowledge exchange, and enables individuals to thrive in diverse socio-economic areas.. But how important is connectivity to the farming community?
endless networkis a global organization dedicated to solving capital inequality, investing strategically around the world to address challenges such as lack of internet access. In this article: 4-H, an organization supported by Endless Network. The four H’s of 4-H, Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, embody the values cultivated through experiential learning initiatives. Partnerships between 4-H and land-grant universities,in particular Collaborative expansion systemAlso Ensure a robust research and science foundation For organizations dedicated to youth development.
Edsage recently spoke: Kathleen Rodl About my experience working in 4-H. Mr. Rodl serves as associate dean at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he holds additional positions. nebraska expansion and the state 4-H program administrator. In her position, she provides leadership for Nebraska Extension’s youth and family programs, an important component of the land-grant university system. This will provide access to campus-based education and research through her 83 offices across 93 counties in Nebraska. As a 4-H administrator, she focuses on providing informal, hands-on learning experiences tailored to youth from ages 9 to 19, primarily outside of school. We focus on age-appropriate activities.
EdSurge: What are your 4-H programming focus areas and how have they evolved over time?
Rodol: 4-H has evolved beyond its agricultural roots and is focused on helping young people succeed. Agriculture, including animal husbandry, crop cultivation, water-related education, and leadership and decision-making skills remain fundamental. Additionally, we have expanded into science, technology, and engineering with notable programs in robotics and entrepreneurship. Our goal is to spark interest and excitement in young people in a variety of content areas.
When thinking about programming, we encourage hands-on activities. We typically match all learning objectives to state and national standards, but you can also get a little more creative. We offer kids the chance to dive into age-appropriate, carefully selected activities, ending with something cool. We want them to question, reason, and think critically. Start with basic tools and experiments to plant your seeds. But children are more receptive when we ask them to solve problems and provide the resources they need. That’s where connectivity comes in. How do they get information, explore, and even talk to scientists and learn about new technologies? Connectivity is key to finding answers and making data-driven decisions. Masu.
We envision the next generation to be great leaders and citizens. However, the challenge lies in addressing access disparities, especially in underserved communities where internet connectivity is critical. Many young people lack continued access to resources, which hinders their growth.
How is 4-H addressing connectivity challenges in underserved communities? And what creative solutions are being implemented to ensure consistent access to resources? Do you have it?
We are deeply involved in underserved communities and often work with local providers to establish portable services. [internet and hardware] Access to specific events or programs. One of our goals is to demonstrate to decision makers the tangible benefits of such initiatives and to make a convincing case for long-term efforts and the allocation of necessary resources, especially in remote areas. [Internet] In some communities, access is restricted to certain times or requires unconventional means such as sitting in a car on a hill to connect. We strive to partner strategically to remove these barriers and ensure youth have consistent access to the resources they need.
It’s an ongoing effort. We recognize the critical role of connectivity in youth education. At the same time, we strive to communicate the importance of connections to our communities and emphasize their role in attracting and retaining young talent. Recognizing that young people who acquire new skills at university are more likely to return to their communities with these assets, we want to help them articulate the importance of this to community leaders. We aim to do so. This is especially important for the prosperity of rural areas as the ability to work remotely expands.
During the pandemic, we began the following initiatives: learning in the living room Provide at-home activities for youth. The need for connectivity led to virtual STEM lessons like the popular glitter bomb experiment that captivated children across the country. . This effort has highlighted the importance of connectivity and led us to explore creative solutions, such as providing hotspots and using local libraries and telephone offices for internet connectivity. The success of Living Room Learning has spurred the development of new programs, including: CloverIt is a national online initiative sponsored by the National 4-H Council in partnership with Land-Grant University Systems that provides interactive and exciting activities for all ages 5 to 18. The CLOVER experience shows the potential to bring together young people with common interests and generate creativity. Participation soared, leading to continued participation in her 4-H program in the area.
Aligned with the 4-H clover symbol, CLOVER provides youth who don’t have local access to certain content areas the opportunity to explore other community topics, such as pollinators, power, and financial management. CLOVER provides in-depth lessons that spark excitement, connect young learners across the country with common interests, foster relationships, and expand knowledge. By using this online approach, we believe we can reach more youth in new ways and draw them into her broader 4-H platform for further learning and growth.
We are always looking for partnerships to strengthen infrastructure for young people. Recognizing that many young people have access to in-school settings, we also focus on out-of-school time. This includes turning schools into community centers with extended hours, open space, and easy access to the internet and equipment. We are considering options such as securing grants for students to have access to technology such as laptops from their schools. The focus is on ensuring widespread broadband access to these resources.
Additionally, we believe our impact extends beyond individual youth to entire families. Many of our projects are designed to involve families, even if the initial work is done at a specific site. Whether completing project-related tasks at home or participating in collaborative activities, family members play an important role. This highlights the importance of connectivity at home and the essential need for access to resources that support continued engagement and participation.
How will connectivity impact agriculture?
Connectivity is critical in agriculture, especially in remote and rural areas. For crop producers, real-time access to experts allows them to quickly assess field conditions and address issues such as disease and weed control. Additionally, connectivity is critical for agricultural research focused on increasing yields and improving the management of inputs such as water and fertilizers. This allows you to monitor individual plants, collect data and facilitate timely interventions. In precision agriculture, connections change the efficiency of water use and enable precise irrigation. The use of this technology also creates new excitement regarding career opportunities in the evolving field of agriculture. For example, the integration of technology, such as tagging animals for remote monitoring, is reshaping animal husbandry practices. Drones are used to monitor crops. In essence, connectivity is a transformative force in agricultural production, opening up new career avenues for young people.
How can teachers take advantage of local extension systems and 4-H programs?
Teachers can utilize the local extension system to collaborate with 4-H educators. Enhance your out-of-school learning experience by considering connectivity options, such as those available at your library or local extension office. Partnering with Extension System allows for hands-on programming during after-school hours and fosters a complementary approach to education. By integrating formal and informal systems, teachers and the extension system can jointly advocate for greater connectivity, providing strong evidence of community-wide engagement.
