New 4-H director brings global experience to Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho — After helping expand 4-H from Florida to the Bahamas and U.S. military bases across Europe and the Caribbean, Andy Toelle is returning to Idaho to lead University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development.

Toelle brings more than three decades of 4-H experience to the position. He will be based in Moscow and begin his new role Nov. 2.

He tells the story of a Florida 4-H’er he met following a multiday horse show to highlight the qualities that make the program so effective.

“How did it go today?” Toelle asked the girl.

“I had a lovely ride,” she replied with a smile.

“Did you win?” he asked.

“No,” she said, explaining she’d been struggling to teach her horse certain skills and saw the first signs of progress during the competition.

The exchange remains one of Toelle’s favorite 4-H memories because it reflects what he believes the program is truly about: prioritizing personal growth over winning.

“I’m getting choked up just talking about it,” Toelle said. “We do 4-H so kids can have this experience — so they can have that lovely ride.”

Toelle currently serves as a regional specialized 4-H agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. Toelle holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in family and child development from Auburn University, as well as a doctorate in agricultural education and communication with an emphasis on leadership and Extension from University of Florida.

The appointment marks a return to Idaho. Toelle served as a 4-H Extension educator in Bonneville County from 1992 to 1994. Though more than 30 years have passed, Toelle still feels a strong connection to the Vandals, and he appreciates Idaho's 4-H leaders’ commitment to helping youth grow as leaders.

He has fond memories of his introduction to 4-H camping at U of I’s Alpine 4-H Camp in Alpine, Wyoming.

“One time we had an elk run through the campground, so that was pretty exciting,” Toelle said.

Onboarding and training new faculty were among Toelle’s favorite duties while holding several positions with Florida 4-H. He developed a program called Day One Mentoring, which paired new hires with an experienced faculty mentor throughout the first year of their employment.

“The mentor learns a lot, too. It’s a two-way street,” Toelle said. “The feedback I got was very positive.”

Toelle has also worked closely with 4-H volunteers, and he’s helped expand 4-H abroad.

He was part of a team of Florida 4-H leaders who partnered with a nonprofit called Lignum Vitae to bring 4-H to the Bahamas in 2010. The program remains strong, and the partnership between Florida 4-H and the nonprofit continues. Toelle was also on another team of Florida 4-H leaders who traveled to U.S. Air Force and Navy bases across Europe and the Caribbean, training youth development program staff to deliver 4-H programs.

Early in his new job, he plans to focus on listening and learning about Idaho’s program.

He credits UI Extension with strong club programming and creative offerings, such as Learn Everywhere with 4-H, through which youth can earn high school credit for certain projects.

“My vision is that we all work together towards making the best better,” Toelle said. “We’re working together to help these youth out, to help our volunteers be successful and to help our educators be successful.”

Media contact

Andy Toelle
Incoming University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development director
andy.toelle@comcast.net