Rural Youth Development
Grants
Rural Youth Development Grants, administered through CSREES, address rural youth needs and involve them in the design and implementation of their educational activities. Only Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the National 4-H Council, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National FFA Organization are eligible to apply for this grant program.
In FY 2008, approximately $1.647 million will be available for project grants. Awards are made on a competitive basis as a result of merit review and recommendations of a peer review panel.
The Rural Youth Development Grants Program is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-161). Grants are made to youth organizations pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 7630.
The eligible youth organizations that have received funding under this program have developed programs that empower youth to improve their own lives and the communities in which they live.
They are committed to a common national framework of outcomes for youth, adults, and communities.
Working in partnership with adults, youth identify community needs, address those needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts. Youth and adults work to build community capital (strengthen their communities) in areas such as: human, social, natural, civic, built (infrastructures), cultural, and financial. Each section below contains abstracts of the funded programs and the organization's contacts.
National Future Farmers of America
Title: Living to Serve-Developing a Habit of the Heart: FFA Leadership and Civic Engagement for Rural Youth
Youth organizations such as FFA are an important way to engage rural youth in meaningful personal growth, leadership, and career development activities. Many rural youth are not exposed to the over 300 careers in agriculture, often lacking in role models, education opportunities, or experiential activities that allow them to prepare for careers they may not have considered; and learn entrepreneurship that will allow them to flourish in a rural economy and community. With CSREES administered funds and by working with agriculture/FFA teachers, the Living to Serve project provides rural youth with experiential, educational models to improve their own lives and the communities in which they live.
Using this funding, the National FFA Organization works through state FFA organizations and local FFA chapters, to provide youth opportunities to:
-
Successfully plan, implement and evaluate community service projects;
-
Develop positive relationships with peers and adults;
-
Engage in positive youth development experiences that help young people gain independence and a sense of belonging, learn the value of generosity, and gain mastery in different fields;
-
Improve community capital in their communities in one or more areas of: human, social, natural, built (infrastructure), financial, civic, and cultural;
-
Connect formal classroom learning to real-life experience using the community as the context for learning;
-
develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for leadership positions within their communities;
-
develop job-ready knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and;
FFA and agricultural education continues to be a strong component of rural education and communities, while developing the potential of the youth it serves.
FFA Contact Information
National FFA Center
6060 FFA Drive
PO Box 68690
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
William Waidelich, Project Director
Senior Division Director
Research, Development, & Sponsored Programs
Phone: 317-802-4233
E-mail: wwaidelich@ffa.org
Michele Sullivan, Project Manager
Development Team Leader
Research, Development & Sponsored Programs
Phone: 317-802-5345
E-mail: msullivan@ffa.org
Girl Scouts of the USA
Title: Girl Scouts in Rural Communities
Through this project, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), working through their Girl Scout Councils and local communities, facilitate the training and experiences that empowers rural girls with the leadership and personal development assets and skills to improve their lives and their communities.
Research studies have documented that most girls growing up in America’s rural communities are at a severe disadvantage. Their rural circumstances limit their opportunities and chances of growing up to become productive adults. Besides being geographically isolated, their communities lack the most fundamental resources, support networks, and opportunities that would positively impact their development. This project is designed to help girls overcome the barriers to their healthy development.
The Girl Scout organization is in a unique position to help fill some of the gaps in youth development that exist in rural communities today. The centerpiece of this initiative is a social entrepreneurship curriculum-based project for rural teen girls ages 14-17. The curriculum, “Challenge and Change: Challenge Yourself, Change Your World,” was specifically developed for this program.
In addition to guiding girls to plan and implement projects that strengthen their communities, the curriculum is designed to encourage girls to “Discover, Connect and Take Action,” the core components of the GSUSA girl leadership model.
After awarding grants of up to $20,000 to approximately 14 Girl Scout Councils, GSUSA facilitates technical assistance on all aspects of program implementation and evaluation.
Girl Scouts of the USA Contact Information
Girl Scouts of the USA
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Sandra L. Bugg, Project Director
Director, Funded Initiatives
Phone: 212-852-8047
E-mail: sbugg@girlscouts.org
Susan M. Cippoletti
Project Manager, Girl Scouts in Rural Communities
Phone: 212-852-5038
E-mail: scippoletti@girlscouts.org
National 4-H Council
Title: Engaging Youth, Serving Community
Engaging Youth, Serving Community (EYSC) supports land-grant university efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate community based issues forums and action plans in 60 targeted rural communities of less than 10,000 population in 12 states. Communities are expected to build youth-adult partnerships that empower youth through meaningful leadership roles and life skills development.
Projects will reach diverse audiences, collaborate with other organizations serving rural youth, and involve youth in design and implementation of their educational activities - enhancing opportunities for youth involvement in community needs assessment and problem-solving; understanding cultural and socio-economic diversity; creating safe and inviting environments for youth civic involvement; and developing youth potential. The following objectives are expected to be achieved:
-
Youth and adults gain the life skills and experience needed to emerge as effective leaders and contributing members of society
-
Youth and adults develop positive attitudes towards the roles of youth in communities.
-
Youth and adults improve their abilities to work with diverse community members to identify local issues and develop strategies for addressing these issues.
-
More opportunities for youth and families in rural communities for positive youth development experiences during out-of-school time.
-
Community capital is increased in one or more areas: human, social, civic, cultural, natural, financial, and built (infrastructure).
National 4-H Council Contact Information
National 4-H Council
7100 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Jennifer Sirangelo, Project Director
Senior Vice President Resource Development
Phone: 301-961-2853
E-mail: jsirangelo@fourhcouncil.edu
Sally Miske, Project Manager
Director, Fiscal and Account Management
Resource Development
Phone: 301-961-2904
E-mail: smiske@fourhcouncil.edu
Joann Leatherman
Account Manager
Phone: 301-961-2870
E-mail: jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu
Rural Youth Development Grants Contacts
National 4-H Headquarters
Families, 4-H and Nutrition, CSREES
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 2225
Washington, DC 20250-2225
Nancy Valentine, Ed.D, Program Manager
CSREES National Program Leader
Phone: 202-720-5347
E-mail: nvalentine@csrees.usda.gov
Janice Clark
CSREES Program Specialist
Phone: 202-720-4436
E-mail: jclark@csrees.usda.gov
Back to Youth Development & 4-H Home Page |
