UNH Cooperative Extension is the recipient of a $50,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to launch Youth Voice: Youth Choice, a program created by the National 4-H Council to encourage young people to develop and maintain healthy, active lifestyles. The program tackles wellness issues such as nutrition, physical fitness and safety.

According to the grant’s recipient, 4-H Youth Development Extension Specialist Paula Gregory, "Youth Voice: Youth Choice participants in New Hampshire will work in tandem with Land Grant university experts and 4-H volunteers to mobilize young people and get them excited about living healthy lifestyles.”

The NH 4-H Youth Voice: Youth Choice program will reach 1,000 youth through 4-H Healthy Living projects. Existing 4-H forums, teen clubs, and projects will emphasize nutrition, physical activity and wellness. Participants will be “challenged” to maintain learned wellness practices through personal action plans, and act locally by identifying community resources, joining local wellness projects, raising public awareness and leading by example.