4-H Beyond Ready: Empowering Nebraska Youth for the Future

Dr. Kathleen Lodl,
State 4-H Program Administrator
Tracy Pracheil,
Extension Educator Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program
In every Nebraska county, from the rolling Sandhills to the bustling streets of Omaha, a quiet transformation is taking place. It's happening in barns, classrooms, community centers, and online -- where young people are not just learning to care for animals or to build robots, but they are also gaining the skills and the confidence needed to succeed in life.
This is the power of 4-H, where a new generation of young people are becoming ready to lead, ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to conquer. For over 120 years, 4-H has empowered millions of youth to build their futures and to pave a path forward. And now, with the recent launch of the national 4-H Beyond Ready initiative, the spotlight is on how a program established a century ago is preparing young people for today’s demands in an ever-changing world.
Beyond Ready celebrates what research has proven: 4-H youth don’t just learn -- they thrive. National data shows that 4-H members are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, twice as likely to make healthier choices, and two times more likely to pursue STEM careers when compared to their peers. In Nebraska, 4-H reaches nearly one in three age-eligible youth -- over 140,000 young people annually -- with programs that build leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience.
These are not just numbers -- they represent futures changed. A 4-H alum from Broken Bow credits the program with giving her the confidence to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. A 4-H robotics team from Scottsbluff won national recognition, proving that Nebraska youth can compete on the global stage. Whether it's through raising livestock, mastering public speaking, or tackling civic challenges, 4-H youth are preparing to be Beyond Ready -- they are becoming adaptable, resourceful, and innovative leaders of tomorrow. And here are a few examples.
“I used to be terrified of public speaking,” shared Ava R., a 16-year-old 4-H member from Northeast Nebraska. “Now I lead our club meetings and compete in speech contests. 4-H gave me the tools to find my voice.”
As Ava looks toward a future in law, 4-H alum Marcus J., now an engineer in Omaha, reflects on the long-term impact: “4-H taught me how to set goals, solve problems, and work with people from all backgrounds. Those lessons stuck with me far beyond county fair.”
In a time when employers are asking for soft skills, teamwork, and initiative, 4-H delivers. According to a Tufts University study, 4-H members report higher educational aspirations and greater levels of personal responsibility and social competence than their non-4-H peers. And in Nebraska, 4-H programs align closely with workforce development goals, from agricultural innovation to digital literacy.
This National 4-H Week, if you are an alum of the program, share your ‘How it Started. How it’s Going.’ Story, by posting a photo from your 4-H project days and pair it with how those skills show up in your life today. Tag @national4H and use #4HBeyondReady and #NE4H to inspire the next generation. Because as the Beyond Ready initiative gains momentum, it calls on families, educators, policymakers, and community members, to recognize the impact of the program and to invest in 4-H as a proven pathway to lifelong success.
The need has never been greater, and the opportunity never more promising. To learn more or to get involved with the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development program, go to 4h.unl.edu to see how you can prepare youth in our state to be ready to lead, ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to conquer.