** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE UNITED STATES, LIKE MOST COUNTRIES, NEEDS A VIBRANT FOOD SYSTEM IN ORDER TO THRIVE. HOWEVER IT HASBECOMEINCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR OUR FOOD AND FIBER ECONOMY TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE AS EMPLOYEES, SCIENTISTS, ADVOCATES, OR CARETAKERS. 4-H CAN AND SHOULD HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH APPLIED RESEARCH AND POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.THE OH YEA! 4-H GROWS TRUE LEADERS PROJECT WILL DISCOVER NEW WAYS TO INVOLVE THEYOUTH POPULATION IN THEIR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. THIS PROJECT WILL INVOLVE YOUTH, THEIR PARENTS, AND COMMNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO EXPLORECAREERS IN THE WORLD OF FOOD.IN THIS PROJECT,HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN MAINE AND VERMONTWILL FORM 4-H CLUBS WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE FOOD SCIENCE, COOKING, NUTRITION, PRODUCTION, FOOD TRADITIONS, AND MORE. TEENS FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WILL BE TRAINED TO BE TEACHERS ABOUT FOOD AND TEENS WILL EXPLORE CAREERS IN THE PROCESS. PARENTS WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN WHILE BETTER UNDERSTANDING THE RHYTHYM OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. RESEARCH BY 4-H FACULTY WILL ASK, HOW DO RURAL AND PERI-RURAL FAMILIES WANT TO HELP AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE TO THEM? AND HOW DO PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO THRIVE AND HOW CAN 4-H ENCOURAGE THRIVING FOR THEM?. ULTIMATELY, THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUTH WHO STUDY FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, AND INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE OF EXTENSION TO BEST CONNECT WITH FAMILIES.