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Oct. 6, 2026 Source: National 4-H Council news release WASHINGTON, D.C. - CHS Foundation and National 4-H Council today announce that CHS is investing $1 million to fund programs that focus on developing future generations of agriculture leaders. The two-year commitment builds on a strong 21-year partnership between the two organizations to help young people thrive and prepare for work and life. Funding will support Beyond Ready; a 4-H initiative launched in 2024 to help teens build the confidence, competencies and real-world skills they need to succeed in school, work and life. The investment will also support: Beyond Ready innovation grants: Grants that support local 4-H programs led by Cooperative Extension. Young people will explore science, technology, and innovation shaping agriculture while building skills they can use throughout their lives. Youth recognition programs: Programs that elevate young people who are creating positive change in their communities, like 4-H Lead to Change. Ignite by 4-H: A national youth summit where more than 1,200 teens gain skills through real-world experiences. Storytelling: Efforts that elevate youth voices and showcase achievements throughout the year, demonstrating how 4-H builds real-world skills, leadership experience, and confidence. "The future of agriculture depends on the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. Our continued partnership with 4-H is one of the ways CHS and the CHS Foundation are investing in opportunities that connect young people to agriculture, expand their networks, and prepare them for success in work and life," said Megan Wolle, President, CHS Foundation. "This investment focuses on bringing hands-on experiences closer to home for students and reflects our commitment to ensuring a strong future for agriculture." After Ignite by 4-H, youth participants applied their skills through 4-H Lead to Change, a program that helps young people identify local challenges, develop solutions, and compete for up to $10,000 to bring their plans to life. "Washington 4-H teens are a great example of what young people can accomplish when they have support to bring their ideas to life," said Heather Elliott, chief development and marketing officer for National 4-H Council. "Through Lead to Change, they received funding for Leaf It Up, a project that helps college students experiencing food insecurity access fresh food through microgreen kits. Their work took them to the national stage at Ignite and shows how an idea can become a solution that makes a difference in local communities." About 4-H 4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. Through Beyond Ready, 4-H will increase that number to ten million youth annually. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. Learn more about 4-H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook(opens in new tab), and Instagram.(opens in new tab) About CHS Foundation The CHS Foundation (https://www.chsinc.com/stewardship(opens in new tab)), funded by charitable gifts from CHS, is focused on developing a new generation of agricultural leaders for lifelong success. Together with our partners, we are igniting innovation and driving excellence in agriculture education, cultivating high-impact programs for rural youth and accelerating potential for careers in agriculture. The CHS Foundation also supports co-op education and rural safety and community projects. CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com(opens in new tab)) creates connections to empower agriculture. As a leading global agribusiness and the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the United States, CHS serves customers in 65 countries. We provide critical crop inputs, market access and risk management services that help farmers feed the world. Our diversified agronomy, grains, foods and energy businesses recorded revenues of $35.5 billion in fiscal year 2025. CHS is committed to reducing our impact on the planet, finding and developing new solutions in agriculture and energy, and investing in ways to build a better future for our owners, customers, employees and communities.  Tweet |
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