The Largest Youth Development Organization Hits 400,000 Facebook Supporters

CHEVY CHASE, Md., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 4-H is proud to announce a major milestone in its social media strategy – exceeding 400,000 supporters on the program's Facebook page. With more Facebook engagement than any other youth development program, 4-H serves more than 7 million young people around the world with year-round, hands-on learning opportunities.

"The 4-H Facebook page launched in October 2006 with great interest, however it's really taken off in the past year with nearly 50 percent increase in our fan base," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council president and CEO. "We plan to continue to drive active engagement online among 4-H'ers, alumni, parents and supporters who are all incredible digital ambassadors for the 4-H program."

Since February, 4-H has experienced a significant increase in engagement along with its growth in followers. In April, the organization experienced an average of 1.1 million unique impressions per week, including a seven-day high of 1.5 million in mid-April.

The consistent growth in followers has been attributed to the development of new, engaging content and outreach to current and past 4-H participants. For example, fun memes posted regularly have sparked increased engagement and have proven to be extremely popular with the 4-H audience. In a recent post, the organization inquired about their fans' favorite part of the 4-H season. The post created such immediate engagement that it has since become one of the organization's most popular memes on Facebook, reaching over 230,000 people and garnering 4,700 likes and 2,300 shares—including creating a buzz on Instagram.

As 4-H continues to create more digital brand ambassadors globally, the organization will strive to continue this positive momentum of engagement online.

About 4-H
4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. The 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

SOURCE National 4-H Council