Ernst Encourages Support of 4-H

Press Release

The Senate has unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, in support of 4-H and its recently-launched "Grow True Leaders" campaign. The measure, which was authored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., recognizes the immeasurable benefits of the national 4-H program for young people and its potential growth under the new initiative.

"I'm always glad to see strong bipartisan support for youth involvement in programs like 4-H," said Senator Ernst, a former member of 4-H. "4-H provides valuable educational and vocational skills that foster a lifetime of engagement in agriculture and in communities across Iowa for future generations."

As the Iowa Senator noted in a recent column for the Iowa Spokesman, "When visiting with organizations such as 4-H and FFA, I am encouraged by the work they are doing to highlight career fields related to agriculture for students. My daughter is in high school, and just like her mother at that age, she is involved with the local 4-H club. Whether it is service through these organizations, or in the classroom where students are learning about agronomy, soils, wood and metal working, and a myriad of other technical real-world skills, it is wonderful to see the interest in helping others that our young high school students exemplify."

The 4-H movement supports young people through programs designed to shape future leaders and innovators, particularly in rural communities. Last week, 4-H launched a campaign called "Grow True Leaders," which seeks to replicate 4-H's success in rural communities in urban areas. The program's new initiative hopes to reach a broader, more diverse population, impacting more African American and Hispanic children.

Additional cosponsors of the resolution include Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., John Boozman, R-Ark., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Chris Coons, D-Del., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Cory Gardner, R-Colo., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Angus King, I-Maine, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., John McCain, R-Ariz., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Gary Peters, D-Mich., Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Tom Udall, D-N.M., and David Vitter, R-La.
This resolution follows Senator Ernst's recent introduction of the Agriculture Students Encourage, Acknowledge, Reward, Nurture (EARN) Act, along with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), which amends the tax code to exclude from gross income the first $5,000 earned by students who are 18 years old or younger on agricultural projects completed under the supervision of 4-H or FFA.

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