The next wave of leaders have stories just as impressive. "My parents wanted me to make something of myself. They worked hard to give me the opportunity to go to college." 4-H is where I learned how to leave my family and move into the sophisticated world of college, business and politics." I think the speech Elaine Marshal gave at conference reflects this group of 4-H alumni.

But what have we done in 4-H since then? What can we point to and say "That's what 4-H did." Over the years 4-H has faced poverty, ignorance, suspicion, myth, and even hate. 4-H has helped in war with gardens and canning. 4-H members have sewn clothes, improved diet, raised better crops and animals to increase family income. 4-H has faced teen pregnancy and drug abuse. 4-H has helped with teaching science in school and drop-out prevention. 4-H has helped families with after school programs. But what is the one thing which shows our value to everyone? What is important enough to ensure the future of 4-H?

For me, it's easier to examine 4-H by looking at my own history. What have I done and what is guiding me? Through 4-H, I have given children the right and the skills to jump into new learning experiences. After they have selected a preference I have empowered them, pushed them, and led them to do impossible things. Now I don't do the stuff, I just make sure they are prepared and have the opportunity. The question is, is this worth a nickel to the rest of the world?

I believe 4-H has lost much of its value to society, because we have abandoned our past. I'm not talking about delivery systems or agriculture based programs. What 4-H has abandoned is the reason it was formed. Now this is my opinion, but it's based on my study and is worth discussion.

A democratic society can not survive without a constant supply of citizens to power it. At a time when the survival of our national life was questionable, youth movements were started which resulted in the development of publicly funded 4-H and privately funded Scouts. Their purpose was the same, to produce a citizenry able to function in a democratic society.

It has never been about the cows and cookies. It has not been about job skills or any specific skills we taught in 4-H projects. Being able to hatch eggs will not enable you to take your place in society, but becoming the 4-H version of a Renaissance man will. A 4-H Renaissance person is one with a wide experience base, capable of using information to define and solve problems, capable of leading or following, ready to benefit any community they might go into. Developing Renaissance thinkers is what 4-H has been doing. That's what the agent was doing who took the families first child to college. It's what 4-H did for those children whose parents wanted them to make something of themselves. This what you've been doing. This what we need to keep doing.

4-H is building citizens capable of running our democracy at every level. 4-H is guiding children through a series of experiences that results in the development of today's 4-H Renaissance Man, the Leader of Tomorrow. Yes, I know terms like "Leader of Tomorrow" and "Renaissance Man" sound quaint and out of date, but its the best way for me to express what 4-H is. I wonder how many mayors, town council members, commissioners, and even governors developed their pattern of Renaissance thinking while in 4-H. Now that's the beginning of a marketing effort.

Yes, 4-H has dealt with teen pregnancy and substance abuse, but the truth is, we empowered kids with skills to research and make good decisions along with the leadership skills to influence other kids. The 4-H response was not new. In fact, it doesn't matter the issue, the skills 4-H teaches are the same and have been applied to many areas. Define problems, research solutions, develop and carry out a plan that actively address the situation. These skills promote 4-H'ers becoming fully engaged in their community. In today's research language, the 4-H's becomes the 5-C's; Confidence, Character, Connection, Competence and Contribution. These describe the same Renaissance skills that put 4-H'ers on the pathway to success.

If we focus our future on the success of our past, we will be positioning ourselves to be on the cutting edge of youth programming for the foreseeable future. Do you want to build the leaders of tomorrow? Join the 4-H Renaissance today.