NATIONAL 4-H COUNCIL NAMES 2024 YOUTH IN ACTION AWARD WINNERS
Four young leaders from across the country receive $5,000 scholarships for outstanding achievements and community impact
WASHINGTON, DC (October 2, 2023) – National 4-H Council today announced the winners of the 2024 Youth In Action Awards, a national program sponsored by Bayer that recognizes four diverse young leaders who have made a positive impact in their communities.
The winners will each receive a $5,000 higher education scholarship and spend 2024 inspiring other youth by telling their 4-H story. In addition, they will have opportunities to showcase their work nationally, network with prominent 4‑H alumni, and serve as official 4-H spokespeople for Youth in Action.
The announcement was made during National 4-H Week, held October 1-7, 2023 to celebrate and showcase the opportunities and impact that 4‑H offers young people across the country.
Katie Collins from Charolette, Tennessee:
Growing up on a dairy farm, Katie has always had an interest in animals and agriculture. She hasn’t, however, always had the confidence and sense of belonging she now possesses. Being mixed race, Katie felt immediately judged by her skin color and not who she is inside—a bright and confident young woman who one day aspires to be a lawyer. 4-H helped her discover that everyone has a diverse background, and it’s best to be yourself. With determination and a service mindset, Katie has successfully completed hundreds of hours of leadership training and volunteer work, dairy- related project work, and advocates for individuality.
Diverse programs offered through 4-H helped Katie find a space to grow outside her comfort zone, discover her spark and help her turn it into a reality. As the 4-H Honor Club President and the Representative at Large on Tennessee 4-H State Council Katie developed and honed her communication and leadership skills and worked closely with her 4-H agent to concept and develop a program called See Yourself in Ag. Designed to expose diverse youth to the many aspects of agriculture and agriculture-related careers, the program also focuses on empowering youth by highlighting the importance of hard work, resilience and individuality. The program uses a wider lens to look at agriculture and exposes participants to the breadth of the industry—not only the crops and animals but the science and economics behind it. Katie’s program reached 672 4- H’ers, through 12 project trips and introducing the students to four farmers and eight different industries. Seeing an increase in both girls and students of color attending her program, Katie is invigorated by the hope future generations will experience the diversity the Ag industry has to offer. Excited for the future and extending her program to even more youth, Katie is grateful for the platform, sense of belonging and voice 4-H has given her. Currently an undergraduate at University of Tennessee Knoxville, Katie aims to graduate with a food and agriculture business degree and minor in international agriculture and natural resources.
ABOUT 4-H
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. Learn more about 4‑H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
ABOUT BAYER
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of healthcare and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth, and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com/.
To read more about Youth In Action Award Winners, visit the 4-H website.
