To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): University of California Cooperative Extension
Staff Name and Phone Number: Lauren Cartwright, 707-328-7596
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution recognizing the Sonoma County 4-H Youth Development Program, its youth members, volunteers, and community partners, and recognizing October 4 through 10, 2026, as National 4-H Week.
End
Executive Summary:
The University of California Cooperative Extension Sonoma County Office requests recognition of the significant positive impact of the Sonoma County 4-H Youth Development Program and recognition of National 4-H Week, October 4-10, 2026.
During 2025-26, Sonoma County 4-H enrolled 923 youth through community clubs, expanded learning programs, and overnight camp, while reaching an additional 13,471 young people through educational programs and community partnerships. Through hands-on learning, youth develop leadership, public speaking, responsibility, career awareness, and practical skills while contributing to their communities.
Discussion:
Sonoma County 4-H has a long history of helping young people learn by doing, develop lifelong skills, and contribute to their communities. Today, the program reaches youth ages 5 to 18 through community clubs, overnight camp, afterschool programs, day camps, short-term projects, special-interest programs, and school and community partnerships.
During the 2025-26 program year, 694 youth participated in 17 chartered 4-H community clubs throughout Sonoma County, where youth lead, learn, serve, develop responsibility, practice public speaking, and build knowledge through hands-on projects. Another 162 youth enrolled in expanded learning programs, including afterschool clubs and day camps, and 95 youth participated as campers and staffers in Sonoma County 4-H’s week-long overnight camp. In total, 923 youth were directly enrolled in 4-H programs.
Sonoma County 4-H also extends youth development opportunities. Through partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, and regional educational events, the program reached an additional 13,471 young people during 2025-26. These efforts included STEM, arts, athletics, environmental education, career exploration, and healthy living programs offered with school districts and community partners. More than 369 youth participated in 4-H programs through local libraries, approximately 2,000 youth participated in programming using 4-H curricula, and more than 11,000 people attended the North Bay Science Discovery Day.
The 2026 National 4-H Week theme, “Beyond Ready,” reflects Sonoma County 4-H’s commitment to preparing young people for a changing world. In 2026-27, the program is expanding career-focused opportunities in areas such as culinary arts and agriculture while increasing leadership development through public speaking, officer development, and teen leadership. Sonoma County 4-H is also working to strengthen the volunteer experience, build new partnerships, and expand opportunities for families throughout the county.
National 4-H Week, October 4-10, 2026, provides an opportunity to recognize the youth members, adult volunteers, families, staff, and community partners who make Sonoma County 4-H possible and to celebrate their contributions to youth development and the broader Sonoma County community.
Prior Board Actions:
October 8, 2024: Adopted Gold Resolution No. 24-0408 recognizing Sonoma County 4-H Youth Development Program, County Club Council and Youth County Ambassador Program; and National 4-H Week.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Gold Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None