University of Minnesota Extension Youth Development

Nicole Kudrle reminds us of the importance of self-reflection as youth development professional

The power of self-reflection in youth development work We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Anja Johnson highlights a flexible curriculum, "Fields, Food, and You: Cultivating Global Agriculture Awareness" that helps youth explore their role as global citizens

Budding global awareness We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Darcy Cole encourages programs to help youth learn essential financial literacy skills

Filling the financial literacy gap through positive youth development We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Sarah Devine shares how she uses astronomy as a tool to inspire scientific literacy and introduce new cultures to young people

Astronomy as a tool to broader learning We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Savannah Aanerud shares how youth leadership shined on a recent youth trip to Washington D.C.

Portraits of greatness We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Sarah Odendahl speaks to the importance of helping young people develop a sense of hope and purpose

Helping youth find hopeful purpose We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Amy Sparks reminds us to talk about mental wellbeing and ensure everyone knows assistance is within reach

It’s okay, not to be okay - May is Mental Health Awareness Month We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Jessica Russo offers 5 steps to create a volunteer-led youth program, with a focus on equity

To create a volunteer-led youth program, focus on equity We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Kate Walker highlights Reed Larson's groundbreaking research that both launched and legitimized the field of positive youth development

Reed Larson’s research on youth development We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Welcoming new Youth Development staff to the St. Paul campus!

Allison Hansen highlights the value of art in youth programs for fostering empathy, expanding our worldview, and igniting a passion for social impact

The value of art in youth programming We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Nicole Kudrle shares challenges and benefits of having groups of youth gather in-person and join others and their facilitators virtually at z.umn.edu/9gsk

Challenges and success in engaging youth virtually We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Karyn Santl reminds us of the importance of showing appreciation for youth, volunteers and colleagues in ways that are meaningful to them. Understanding the 5 languages of appreciation can help.

Showing appreciation builds a positive environment We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Rebecca Meyer shares the power of authentic science inquiry, where young people contribute to real scientific efforts to address real world problems

The power of authentic science inquiry We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Join next week's free webinar, "Youth aspirations: Imagining and navigating futures in higher education" by Joanna Tzenis, our state specialist in education and career pathways
Wed, Apr 3, 11a-12p CT
Register at z.umn.edu/ydwebinar

Savannah Aanerud suggests that to truly help youth thrive, program staff need to first consider how they themselves are thriving

What does it mean to thrive? We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Sarah Odendahl reminds us that sparks give life hope, direction and purpose, but that a young person's spark may not directly align with their educational or career pathway, and that's okay!

Sparks for the future We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

👉Now 4-H staff!
We are hiring a Regional Extension Educator that will focus on 4-H Quality Programs! Apply by March 11th!
🍀Find more information and apply here:
https://z.umn.edu/4HQualityProgramREE

Jeremy Freeman shares the ADKAR model as way to coach youth, volunteers or staff through meaningful change

Coaching through change We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

To promote equitable access to the outdoors, Nicole Pokorney shares tips for creating inclusive and impactful outdoor learning experiences for all

Outdoors for ALL We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Extension educator Amy Sparks shares how humor is key to engaged learning, strong connections, and creative problem-solving.

Humor - A key ingredient to engagement, meaningful connection, and creativity in youth development We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Extension educator Jessica Russo discusses the benefits of partnerships between formal and nonformal education with her husband, a public school teacher

Partnering with schools: A conversation with a public school teacher We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

From a youth development lens, a lot of behavior challenges are really attempts to communicate needs. Katie Ecklund and Courtney Johnson offer ideas for rethinking behavior management.

Rethinking behavior management We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Nicole Kudrle shares how youth elevator speeches can benefit the organization and build valuable skills at

Elevator speeches for youth We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Karen Beranek reflects on how youth development pioneer Karen Pittman has shaped the field and her own way of working with young people at

Inspiration from a pioneer of youth development We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Jeremy Freeman blogs about diversifying boards and committees to better address the critical issues and needs of all Minnesota youth at

Who's at the table: Diversifying boards and committees We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Check out Darcy Cole's etiquette tips for treating people with disabilities with respect and making them feel valued at

Disability etiquette basics We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Nicole Pokorney invites us to reflect on how we interrupt our own narratives related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

We interrupt your narrative for a very important message We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

Rebecca Meyer highlights how STEM learning is fostered through building a sense of belonging, identity and motivation

Fostering STEM learning: A critical need (post pandemic) We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.

When the world’s events seem overwhelming, Kathryn Sharpe offers ways to support youth to stay grounded and compassionate

When the news is awful We bridge youth development research and practice. Our faculty bloggers tell you what is happening the field, with an eye to evidence-based research.