Mars Inc. is investing $3 million in a partnership with National 4-H Council to create career pathways in veterinary science, food, and agriculture for up to 200,000 young people across the United States through hands-on learning experiences and mentorship programs.
- $3 million grant from Mars Inc. through the Mars Impact Fund to National 4-H Council for youth career development
- 200,000 young people will gain access to career exploration and hands-on experiences in veterinary science, food science, and agriculture
- Six university partnerships will deliver localized programs including mobile veterinary labs, AgriSTEM workshops, and virtual career academies
- Three-year funding supports the Beyond Ready initiative, aiming to equip 10 million youth with skills for rapidly changing careers by 2030
- Full scholarships available for 20 teens annually to attend National 4-H Council's Ignite program for career exploration and leadership development
Mars Inc. announced a $3 million partnership with National 4-H Council, a national youth development organization. The grant is made through the Mars Impact Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm.
The grant aims to reach up to 200,000 young people across the U.S. and create pathways into food, agriculture and veterinary science careers. The funding will support National 4-H Council’s existing Beyond Ready program, a national initiative intended to give 10 million young people the skills, confidence and character they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world by 2030.
“As a family-owned business for 115 years, Mars thinks in generations, prioritizing innovation and inspiring youth to pursue careers in science,” said Michelle Grogg, executive director of the Mars Impact Fund. “Demand for skilled talent in food science, agriculture and veterinary medicine continues to grow, and we want to be sure that young people have the opportunity to explore those careers. We are proud to partner with the National 4-H Council to advance that goal and help equip the next generation with education, experiences and mentorship.”
Phased over three years, the funding will use 4-H’s Cooperative Extension network — a network of more than 100 public universities that offers hands-on learning experiences for youth. Individual grants will be distributed through six university partnerships, with programming tailored to local interests and needs:
- University of California: California 4-H will develop a mobile veterinary education lab that brings hands-on small-animal veterinary science and career exploration to teens in Monterey and Santa Barbara counties.
- Florida A&M University: Florida 4-H will provide teens in North Florida with hands-on experiences in food science, agricultural sciences, livestock production, entomology and emerging agricultural technologies through pop-up AgriSTEM workshops and monthly academies.
- University of Georgia: Georgia 4-H Career Connections will create a statewide agriculture and food science career-readiness pathway that takes teens from initial career awareness to hands-on experience, skill development, professional connections and next steps.
- University of Illinois: Illinois 4-H will engage teens in career exploration and workforce development in food science, agricultural sciences and veterinary sciences, helping them develop practical skills and connect with professionals in those fields.
- Michigan State University: Michigan 4-H will engage teens in career exploration and preparation in agricultural sciences and veterinary sciences, with an emphasis on companion animal health, food systems, food security and food science.
- University of Tennessee: Tennessee 4-H will run a year-round veterinary science program focused primarily on small and companion animal medicine. The program will reach youth statewide through a monthly Virtual Vet Science Project Group, field trips and partnerships with university and industry professionals.
In addition, 20 teens each year will receive full scholarships to attend National 4-H Council’s Ignite program, an annual teen summit focused on career exploration, leadership skills and peer connections.
“Young people are curious about science, and seeing themselves in these careers starts with having the opportunity to experience them firsthand,” said Heather Elliott, chief development and marketing officer at National 4-H Council. “Through the Beyond Ready initiative, we’re helping 10 million young people develop the problem-solving, communication and technical skills they need to succeed in work and life, including pursuing careers in food, agriculture and veterinary science. Working with Mars allows us to connect those career-ready skills to real pathways and help more young people see where their interests can take them.”
The grant adds to the Mars Impact Fund’s portfolio of partnerships, which has committed more than $20 million since the fund launched earlier this year.
