VOLUNTEERS PRAISED AS NATIONAL 4-H WEEK BEGINS



                                            Release No. 0341.97
                                                               
                                    Tom Amontree (202) 720-4623
                                          tom.amontree@usda.gov
                                     Maria Bynum (202) 720-5192
                                           maria.bynum@usda.gov

VOLUNTEERS PRAISED AS NATIONAL 4-H WEEK BEGINS

     WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 1997-- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
todaypraised the efforts of American volunteers who "make it happen" for 
millions of young people through 4-H and youth development programs.   
 
      "Volunteers are the backbone for delivering and continuing quality
4-H programming," said Glickman.  "There are nearly  600,000 volunteer
leaders working with 4-H youth, making a difference in the lives of
America's young people."

     Glickman's comments coincide with National 4-H week being observed
across the nation this week.  The USDA connection to the 4-H  organization
is through its Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
in partnership with the Cooperative Extension Service at all land-grant
universities in every state and territory.  

      4-H,  the largest nonformal youth development education program in
the nation, has approximately 5.4 million youth enrolled,  principally in
K-12 grades.  

      "The average 4-H volunteer spends approximately 220 hours per year,
drives an average of 300 to 400 miles in a personally-owned  car, and spends
an average of $50 of his or her own money in  performing their duties," said
I. Miley Gonzalez, USDA's Under Secretary for Research Education, and
Economics. "The work of the Cooperative Extension Service volunteers is
valued at an estimated $1 .7 billion and is a key success factor in
supporting the 4-H mission." 

     National 4-H Week will be marked by a  new national public service
advertising campaign for the youth group, "Are You Into It?" designed to
motivate youth to become involved in  helping their communities through
volunteer and community service projects.

     National 4-H Week will launch a new web site that will allow 4-H'ers,
throughout the world, to interact via cyberspace.  The new web site can be
toured at http://www.4h-usa.org

                                #

NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov