According to the latest Wisconsin 4-H impact report, membership has grown to more than 26,000 students -- an 8 percent jump year-over-year. It’s not a new record, but it’s the start to a pathway of growth. Jessica Jens joins us in-studio. She's the Wisconsin 4-H State Program Leader with UW-Madison’s Division of Extension. She says there have been several new programs to help grow 4-H membership in both rural and urban areas. A lot of it has to do with the organization being able to evolve to meet student needs.

Wisconsin 4-H recently received an AmeriCorps grant to help grow Wisconsin 4-H across the state. People think of AmeriCorps as a domestic Peace Corps. There are opportunities to get involved across 29 counties. It can be a year-long commitment or just for the summer. Wisconsin State 4-H Program Leader Jessica Jens says she finds the opportunity is great for retirees or recent graduates. (You do need a high school diploma). You’ll get a living stipend and a few thousand dollars as an education grant. She finds that grandparents like to gift their “education” grant to their grandkids going to college. There are still summer positions available. Get started: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/wisconsin-4-h-and-americorps/