National 4-H Council and Microsoft extend $10M partnership to expand AI education for rural youth and educators
Date: December 1, 2025
Category: Company News
Eight years in, the 4-H and Microsoft collaboration continues to turn plans into practical programs for rural communities. From 4-H Tech Changemakers to reaching 1.4 million youth with AI Foundations through Minecraft Education in 2024, this renewal keeps the focus clear: give educators and young people real skills with AI, starting where access is most limited.
Why this matters for educators
Student interest in AI is rising, but confidence and guidance lag - especially outside urban and suburban districts. Rural learners want support from trusted adults and structured, hands-on experiences that connect AI to real problems.
"AI is already part of everyday life. Our job is to make sure young people - especially those in rural areas - understand how to use it responsibly and creatively," said Jill Bramble, Chief Executive Officer of National 4-H Council. "With Microsoft's support, we're giving educators and youth the tools to lead with confidence."
By the numbers
- 66% of youth ages 9-17 say they know at least a little about generative AI.
- 72% want adult guidance to help them use it responsibly.
- 64% believe AI will help them learn skills for future careers.
- Only 28% of rural youth say they know "a great deal" or "a fair amount" about AI - well behind their urban and suburban peers.
What the partnership delivers
- Educator training in AI basics, ethics, responsibility, and classroom use across land-grant universities.
- Train-the-trainer modules to help local 4-H programs bring AI learning to rural communities.
- Challenges and hands-on programs, including the 4-H AI Challenge and AI in Ag Challenge, where youth apply AI to solve real problems on farms and in towns.
- Encouraged participation in national efforts like the Presidential AI Challenge, linking 4-H youth with peers and mentors across the country.
"For more than a century, 4-H has been a cornerstone of opportunity and learning in rural America, helping generations build skills that strengthen communities," said Justin Spelhaug, President, Microsoft Elevate. "We're proud to build on that legacy and deepen our partnership to bring AI education and capacity building to classrooms and counties nationwide. Together, we can ensure that every young person - no matter where they live - has the tools to thrive in an AI-driven future."
Impact in action: AI + agriculture
4-H youth are already shipping real projects. One example: Henry Zou, an 18-year-old Iowa State University Extension 4-H member, built DeGLS (Detection of Gray Leaf Spot), a deep learning system that identifies and measures the severity of Gray Leaf Spot on corn leaves - one of agriculture's most damaging diseases.
"I've learned that science isn't just about experiments - it's about solving real problems that impact our communities," Zou said. "GLS affects farmers and food production all over the world, so I wanted to use technology to make a difference. By combining artificial intelligence with agriculture, my goal is to create a tool that helps farmers protect their crops and strengthen the future of agriculture."
How to plug this into your program this school year
- Use AI Foundations with Minecraft Education for age-appropriate, project-based modules. Start small: one unit, one rubric, one reflection.
- Run a "mini AI Challenge" in class or club: local issue, student teams, clear success criteria, short showcase.
- Stand up a train-the-trainer model: identify two educator leads, give them planning time, and let them coach peers.
- Integrate with CTE and ag pathways: plant science, data literacy, and problem-solving fit naturally.
- Teach responsibility first: set usage norms, discuss bias, privacy, and verification. Model prompts and cite sources.
- Measure what matters: pre/post surveys on confidence and ethics, student artifacts, and a short community demo day.
Resources for getting started
- 4-H: Programs, research, and local Extension connections
- Minecraft Education: Classroom-ready AI and STEM lessons
- Complete AI Training: Course paths by job for educators
About 4-H
4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization, reaching nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that build critical life skills. Through the Beyond Ready initiative, 4-H plans to reach ten million youth annually by 2030. 4-H is delivered by the Cooperative Extension System and USDA across every county and parish through 110 public universities and 3,000+ local offices, and partners with independent programs reaching one million youth in 50 countries.
Research shows 4-H participants are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) creates platforms and tools using AI to meet the evolving needs of customers. The company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to help every person and every organization achieve more.
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