Slides showcasing thoughts/lessons learned about using social media in 4-H pursuits.

1. University of Maryland
Extension-Calvert
County 4-H Uses Social
Media as an Educational
and Recruiting Tool
Elaine Long Bailey
4-H Youth Development Educator
Calvert County, MD

2. 4-H: Where We Were & Where We
Are . . .
Then . . . Now . . .
• Captive audience • Latch-key kids
• Rural emphasis • Rural, urban, suburban
• Corn clubs & canning clubs • High-tech projects
• Different societal pace • “Wired” at all times

3. How Do We Serve Youth Today?
• Mastery
• Generosity
• Independence
• Confidence
• Competence
• Caring

4. The Challenge: Get to the PEOPLE
(Kids, Parents, Supporters)
• Get the message of 4-H out!
– Almost 200 project areas available
– Something for EVERYONE
• Facebook touted 800 million users as of 2011
• Projections to reach 1 billion users in 2012

5. UME Calvert County 4-H Facebook
• Goals:
– Show what 4-H offers today (dispel myths).
– Share our 4-H members’ projects, activities, and
accomplishments.
– Provide educational links about timely topics

6. Let’s Take a Peek . . .
• University of Maryland Extension Calvert
County 4-H
• HootSuite

7. Lessons Learned
• HootSuite can be helpful in scheduling posts.
• Make a plan for posts/marketing.
• Share current news (EHV-1 outbreak in
horses) to benefit others.
• Photos of kids’ activities, awards, projects, etc.
seem to draw the most interest.
• Educational information impact is difficult.
• Keep it fresh to draw people to the page.

8. Thank you!
Elaine Long Bailey
elbailey@umd.edu
410-535-3662