Building Leadership Capacity with Rural Alaskan Youth

View the project final report

• 2016 annual report

Commodities

Practices

• Animal Production: grazing - continuous, free-range, grazing management, livestock breeding, grazing - multispecies, range improvement, grazing - rotational, stocking rate
• Education and Training: technical assistance, decision support system, demonstration, display, extension, farmer to farmer, focus group, mentoring, networking, study circle, youth education
• Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, whole farm planning
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity
• Sustainable Communities: community planning, ethnic differences/cultural and demographic change, leadership development, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, partnerships, public participation, analysis of personal/family life, community services, employment opportunities, social capital, social networks, social psychological indicators, sustainability measures

Our goal is to use the 4-H model coupled with reindeer herding in our sponsored events to develop the practical skills, leadership and business acumen in youth to expand agricultural (economic) production in underserved rural Alaskan communities. We anticipate giving youth the opportunity to develop a connection with the local landscape, livestock and a unique lifestyle that provides food and employment for local communities and overall food security for the state. We believe if the youth are not just exposed, but immersed in the unique activities of a reindeer producer they will develop the practical and leadership skills and passion for developing a reindeer business.

To engage youth of rural Alaskan communities to build leadership and life skills. 4-H sponsored camps were conducted during the summer of 2017 with youth from geographically isolated villages in Alaska. The theme of each camp was designed to fit the local environmental and cultural context of each location.