Virginia Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals

🍀 VAE4-HYDP OPPORTUNITY! 🍀
Join us for an NAE4-HYDP Information Session on April 1 at 3:00 PM via Zoom to learn more about opportunities available through our national association. The session will cover membership benefits, national awards and grants, and participation in the National Conference.

Hear insights from Tara Brent (NAE4-HYDP Professional Development & Education Committee Chair) and Sabrina Hayes (NAE4-HYDP Southern Regional Director) as they share the value of national involvement and answer questions.

This is a great opportunity for current and prospective members to learn how to get involved and grow professionally within the 4-H Youth Development field.

Let’s congratulate all of this year’s association mini-grant winners! These outstanding 4-H professionals were recognized during last week’s Youth Development Institute.

Congratulations to the following:
Tara Brent - Connecting through Cooking with 4-H

Bridgitte Groome & Cayla Walker - Camp SPARK

Elizabeth Walker - 4-H in a Bag

Vanessa Barragán - The Winged Wonders Program

Lori Clark - Embryology

We hope these funds can help in all efforts of making the best better across the state!

Welcome to the 2026 Youth Development Institute! Virginia 4-H professionals from across the Commonwealth are gathering for several days of professional development and collaboration as we sharpen our skills to help youth become Beyond Ready for the future. Stay tuned!

We’re excited to see many of our members next week at the Youth Development Institute in Charlottesville, where we’ll also hold our membership meeting! 🍀

Can’t attend YDI in person? No problem—a Zoom link will be available. Comment below and we’ll be happy to send it your way!
See you soon! 👋

Happy Friday, 4-H Faculty & Friends!
Here's a reminder from our current VAE4-HYPD President that we'll be having our first membership meeting of 2026 on Zoom coming up on January 26th at 10am on Zoom.
Looking forward to meeting with you all! Happy a great weekend!

Rise and shine, Virginia 4-H family!

After a full year of educating, mentoring, coaching, problem-solving, and showing up for young people day after day—today is simply about putting a bow on the incredible work you’ve already done. As you cross the PEARS finish line, take a moment to remember that every report represents a relationship built, a skill gained, and a life influenced. You’ve told powerful stories through your programs all year, and now, you’re just capturing them for the record. May your impact statements reflect the heart behind the work, your program activities shine with purpose, and your quarterly efforts be recognized for the difference they truly make.

Finish strong, take pride in what you’ve accomplished, and step into 2026 knowing that you made the best better. 🍀💪
You’ve got this!!

A week of growth, connection, and celebration at the NAE4-HYDP Conference in Atlanta! 🤝🌍

From collaborating in working group sessions to enjoying each other’s company during our states night out, to recognizing outstanding professionals for their dedication, to sharing our work with others across the country with posters and presentations, it’s all a reminder that Virginia 4-H is powered by people with a purpose of making the best better 🍀💚

Wishing everyone safe travels back to Virginia, and we hope for another great year in Kansas City next year!