In a historic moment for Extension-based youth development across the nation, two leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have stepped onto the national stage to guide the future of 4-H. Nicole Swinson of Virginia State University and Teki Hunt of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are the first 1890 HBCU representatives to jointly advise the National 4-H Youth Leadership Team (YLT) for NIFA's National 4-H Conference. This was Hunt's final year serving the YLT, and next year, Swinson will assume her leadership role.

Both Swinson and Hunt are widely respected for leading dynamic, community-centered 4-H programs in their respective states. In Virginia, Swinson created the innovative "AgCulture" program, a combination of Jr. MANRRS and 4-H that supports and inspires students and young professionals pursuing careers in agriculture and other STEAM disciplines. In another creative move to connect youth to agriculture, Swinson launched "Harvest Heroes," a life-sized interactive game where youth work with peer leaders to participate in stations that explore different sides of the agricultural industry. Participants can explore agriculture and STEM careers while learning how food systems work and how they integrate into their own communities.

Community and connection. These two elements, so essential to our well-being, were challenged in ways we’ve never seen during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Not to be deterred from their mission, Virginia Cooperative Extension’s 4H embraced a new national program called 4H Tech Changemakers that connects teenagers and adults within their communities.

One way of ensuring that youth grow to become curious, confident and capable leaders is by exposing them early to key life skills, educational opportunities and career exploration through 4-H programs like i-Congress.

.Dr. Chantel Wilson, 4-H STEAM Extension Specialist at VSU, Dr. Erika Bonnett, 4-H Programming Specialist at Virginia Tech, and their Virginia Team won a competitive grant from the National 4-H Council to design the 2020 4-H STEM Challenge Mars Base Camp kit.

Dr. Chantel Wilson lives where science and nature intersect, and she loves introducing youth to her world. Wilson is an Extension specialist and 4-H STEAM educator with the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) at Virginia State University (VSU).