Leaders of National 4-H Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) signed a memorandum of understanding this week for a newly established partnership.

Through the partnership, National 4-H Council and AFBF aim to ignite the desire of young people to embrace agriculture, cultivate innovation and empower them with opportunities to improve the world around them. Through collaboration on thought leadership and ag literacy initiatives, both organizations are committed to better linking young people to the agriculture industry of today and tomorrow.

Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council and Zippy Duvall, president, AFBF sign memorandum establishing new ag education partnership. Source: AFBF

“For more than a century, 4-H has provided young people with opportunities to spark and grow their interests in agriculture, giving them the courage, confidence and resilience to lead,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, National 4-H Council president and chief executive officer. “National 4-H Council is proud and excited to join forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to help empower and develop young people with the workforce skills necessary to pursue careers in the agriculture industry.”

The 4-H Council-AFBF partnership will formally kick off in 2017.

“Farm Bureau has a long history of investing in young people with a demonstrated interest in not only farming and ranching but also agribusiness and food-related careers,” AFBF president Zippy Duvall said. “We’re pleased to build on our tradition of supporting youth in agriculture through this formal collaboration with National 4-H Council.”