The Four Leaf Clover Foundation is made up of dedicated people who are concerned how reductions in government funding for the Santa Barbara County 4-H program will jeopardize the program as it has existed for decades. In 1996 a group of 4-H project leaders sat at a picnic table discussing a way to keep the Santa Barbara County club-based 4-H Youth Program vibrant and relevant. Today, the Four Leaf
Clover Foundation partners with more than 300 4-H leaders and supporters, the Santa Barbara County 4-H staff, and the California 4-H Foundation, to ensure that there are no financial barriers to the growth of and participation in the Santa Barbara County 4-H Programs. Happily we have seen a 17% increase in youth membership in our county in our current year and are seeking means of increasing the participation sevenfold to over 7,000 youth in the next 5 years! Building on our rich county history in agriculture, our 4-H programs today reach a diverse youth in many ways, including 4-H clubs, youth leadership opportunities, 4-H camp, enrichment and after-school programs. Topics range from agricultural literacy, community service, foods and nutrition, home arts, gardening, environment, science, engineering, and technology. The Four Leaf Clover Foundation recognizes the 4-H program develops responsibility, leadership, communication skills and many other life skills that enrich our communities. Research confirms that 4-H prepares out youth for life after high school whether it is continuing on to college or joining the workforce. 4-H youth are:
❖ 4.9 times more likely to graduate from college *
❖ 1.8 times more likely to contribute to their community *
❖ 2.2 times more likely to report higher grades *
The Four Leaf Clover Foundation is deeply committed to contributing to the success of 4-H programs in Santa Barbara and is committed to fully funding 4-H programming in our community. For more information on how you can help the Four Leaf Clover Foundation continue its support of our county's 4-H youth, visit http://4lcf.org or contact the Foundation via email: [email protected] or mail: Four Leaf Clover Foundation, Post Office Box 451, Los Alamos, CA 93440-0451. Lerner, and Colleagues, Institute for Applied REsearch in Youth Development Tufts University, http://www.4-org/about/youth-development-research/positive-youth-development-study/)
