4-H Is Open to All Youth | Tennessee 4-H Youth Development

Dr. Richard Clark

There is a tremendous amount of discussion in the news today related to the treatment of all individuals in a fair and responsible manner. As cultural values and morals are debated, I think it is important for those of us working with 4-H as a volunteer or professional to remind ourselves of our non-discrimination policy put forward by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which is the federal funding source for Extension and 4-H programs. It states that:

4-H is Open to All Youth - "institutions participating in or administering USDA programs (including 4-H) are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USSA"

Please help me in assuring our 4-H program is open to all.