What was the role of land-grant universities in creating the nation’s largest youth development organization? More than a century ago, universities worked with young farmers through corn clubs to advance new technology — and those clubs are now known as 4-H. Today, Colorado State University, through its modern land-grant mission, supports Colorado 4-H in reaching around 100,000 young people across all 64 counties each year — building the next generation of leaders in communities across Colorado, rural and urban alike.
On this episode of The Next 150, that partnership comes to life as President Amy Parsons sits down with Jill Bramble, President and CEO of National 4-H Council, and Ryer Roberts, a CSU junior from Fruita, Colorado — and all three grew up in 4-H. Together they trace 4-H from its land-grant roots to 4-H’s Beyond Ready, Jill’s initiative to prepare 10 million young people for work, leadership, and life by 2030. They talk about why hands-on skills matter so much in the age of AI, how 4-H builds the grit and confidence that transfer to any career, and why, as Jill puts it, “we see young people as leaders today, not at some point in the future.”
More about the guests
Jill Bramble is President and CEO of National 4-H Council, the nation’s largest youth development organization. A fourth-generation 4-H’er from rural Maryland, she has spent more than 18 years with the organization, starting as a grant writer before being named CEO and President in 2023. Today she leads Beyond Ready, a national initiative to prepare 10 million young people with the skills to be ready for work, leadership, and life, delivered through Cooperative Extension at land-grant universities across the country, including CSU.
Ryer Roberts is a junior from Fruita, Colorado, majoring in Agricultural Education and a highly engaged leader with deep roots in 4-H and FFA. A former officer in both organizations, Ryer has been actively involved in shooting sports and livestock programs, and served as a National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador. He also currently serves as Speaker of the Senate in the Associated Students of Colorado State University, the university’s student government.
Listen to the full episode
You can listen to the full episode of ‘The Next 150’ podcast through the following links: