1:29 p.m., Aug. 17, 2010----On Aug. 6, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell promoted volunteerism with an announcement encouraging Delawareans to nominate outstanding volunteers and offering resources to encourage new volunteers.

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Delaware 4-H has long recognized and valued its dedicated volunteers. 4-H volunteers, known as leaders, are the engine behind the success of 4-H in Delaware. 4-H curriculum boasts more than 130 project areas and delivers them with the support of Cooperative Extension at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University.

As a direct result of volunteers, more than 64,000 Delaware youth in traditional 4-H clubs, day and overnight camps and afterschool programs have been exposed to the benefits of public speaking, robotics, biotechnology, textiles and clothing, art, performance, animal and plant science, photography, food science and promotion of healthy lifestyles, just to name a few.

As the 4-H curriculum continues to expand, so do the opportunities for those wishing to volunteer in service of Delaware youth.

On Nov. 4-7, in Rehoboth Beach, Del., 4-H will serve as host for a 13-state regional volunteer forum. The weekend forum, held at the Atlantic Sands in Rehoboth, offers training for new and established leaders. Volunteers have the opportunity to network, train in specific content areas and recognize excellence through the annual Salute to Excellence awards program. Regional forums are rotated every two years, so this is a special weekend for Delaware 4-H volunteers.

In addition, one-day state training forums are rotated every year in each county. New Castle will host the 2011 Delaware 4-H Leader Forum in January.

Both forums are open to new and existing 4-H volunteer leaders. As volunteer educators, Delaware 4-H leaders complete a criminal background check. Each leader is considered to be a highly valued member of the Delaware Cooperative Extension team. The public is welcome to join the 4-H and Extension family.

For more information, contact Ernie López at (302) 856-2585, ext. 544, or visit the Delaware 4-H website.