During its 100th year, Pennsylvania 4-H is looking back...and forward.

On a cold January day, a special event is marking the first 100 years of 4-H in Pennsylvania. Braving threatening weather and an overstuffed schedule, Charles and Jane Brosius arrive at the “State Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century” conference at Penn State. As two of the event’s senior participants, they cut a distinguished figure as they find seats at an unoccupied table and wait for the conference’s opening ceremonies. Their silver hair makes them stand out in this crowd of frenetic adolescents, most of whom have no idea that these two grandparental figures are bona-fide “heavy-hitters”: the Brosius family produce business is nationally known for its pioneering research and development. He’s a former state secretary of agriculture, a current Penn State trustee, and a member of many boards and commissions. She, too, is influential in business and community affairs. On this icy Saturday morning, they didn’t “have” to be here.

But it’s clear that Jane and Charles are exactly where they want to be, surrounded by the unbounded energy and youthful optimism of “their” kids. Charles’ eyes flash as he tells how happy he is to see young people starting out just as he did more than 50 years before. Jane talks enthusiastically about how their youthful 4-H experiences benefit them to this day. Indeed, after successful careers as a parent, businessman, farmer, state government official, and educator, Charles Brosius attributes much of his success to 4-H—and he doesn’t miss many opportunities to be around 4-H members today.