This is Kate and Pam.
They’re part educators, part community cultivators, and full-time believers in what young people can do when given the chance.
Through their work at UNH Extension 4-H, Pam and Kate are helping build a generation of thoughtful, capable, and connected Granite Staters. From public speaking and animal science to leadership retreats and mental health summits, they make space for youth to grow into who they are—on their own terms, and in their own communities.
They believe in showing up, in listening closely, and in making sure every young person hears: “You matter. You belong. You can lead.”
Pam Shore and Kate Guerdat are guides, mentors, and champions of possibility—lighting the path for a stronger, kinder New Hampshire, one kid at a time
Links & notes:
This episode was recorded in Treeline Outfitters in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Music provided by Sneaky Miles
Episode Summary*
Why did you want to come on the podcast?
We’ve both been deeply inspired by the people we meet through UNH Extension—people who care about their neighbors, about kids, and about building stronger communities. When we discovered Granite Goodness, it felt like such a natural fit. It’s rare to find a platform that lifts up the good happening all around us, especially in a way that feels grounded and sincere. We thought, “This is the kind of conversation New Hampshire needs more of.” So we reached out, hoping to add our piece to the bigger story of hope and connection.
What is 4-H, really?
4-H is often misunderstood as just animals and agriculture, but it’s so much more than that. It’s the youth development program of UNH Cooperative Extension, which means it’s backed by research and built to grow real-life skills. Yes, there are kids raising livestock, but there are also robotics teams, environmental projects, teen leadership councils, and community service groups. At its core, 4-H is about helping young people develop confidence, responsibility, and a sense of belonging—so they can thrive in their own lives and contribute to the world around them.
What kind of young person thrives in 4-H?
Honestly? All of them. 4-H is for the kid who wants to lead a group, the one who’d rather be behind the scenes, and the one who doesn’t quite know where they fit in yet. We work with youth from all kinds of backgrounds, interests, and communities. What unites them is a desire to grow, explore, and connect. We try to meet them where they are, and then give them the tools, support, and space to stretch a little further.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
There’s nothing better than watching a young person realize their own power. Whether it’s a quiet kid who speaks up for the first time, a teen who runs a meeting with confidence, or someone who returns years later to say, “4-H helped me find myself”—those moments are why we do this. It’s such a privilege to witness transformation, and to know that even small acts of support can help a young person grow into someone who leads, listens, and cares.
What do young people want right now?
They want purpose and they want to be taken seriously. So many young people are looking for meaning—for ways to contribute, speak out, and make a difference. They’re thoughtful and aware, often more than we give them credit for. They’re also dealing with a lot—mental health struggles, social pressure, uncertainty about the future. But what we see again and again is that when given the opportunity, young people will rise to the challenge. They want to lead with values and make an impact.
What’s your message to adults in New Hampshire?
Trust young people. See their strengths. Everything they want to do—lead, advocate, build, connect—is good. But they can’t do it alone. They need mentors, role models, and communities that show up. So many youth are just waiting for someone to say, “I see you. I believe in you.” And when that happens, they flourish. It doesn’t take grand gestures—just consistency, encouragement, and an open door.
How do you support youth who feel like they don’t belong?
We start by creating safe spaces where young people can show up exactly as they are. That means listening more than talking. It means building programs that are inclusive and responsive to different identities, experiences, and needs. A sense of belonging is foundational—it opens the door to all the other growth. When a young person feels seen, valued, and accepted, they begin to believe in themselves. And that belief changes everything.
What’s the role of volunteers in 4-H?
They’re the heart of everything we do. Volunteers are mentors, facilitators, champions, and community-builders. They lead clubs, support projects, and model what it means to be a caring adult. And they often tell us that they get just as much out of it as the youth do. It’s a two-way relationship built on trust and shared investment. Without volunteers, 4-H simply wouldn’t exist in the way it does.
What do you wish more people knew about 4-H?
That it’s as relevant today as it was 100 years ago—but in new ways. Yes, we still have kids showing animals at the fair, and that’s wonderful. But we also have teens leading equity summits, starting businesses, and designing solutions for climate challenges. 4-H is about learning by doing, and that applies to everything from coding to composting. It’s a modern, flexible, youth-driven program with room for everyone.
What makes New Hampshire a unique place to do this work?
New Hampshire is a state where things can happen. We have just the right balance of scale and accessibility. You can have an idea, talk to someone about it, and make it real. There’s also such a strong sense of place here—people care about their towns, their land, and each other. And that makes it an ideal place for youth to get involved in shaping their communities.
What are some of the biggest challenges youth face today?
Disconnection is a big one. Many young people feel isolated—socially, emotionally, and sometimes even physically in more rural areas. Mental health concerns are also top of mind. Add to that pressure from school, social media, and uncertainty about the future, and you’ve got a lot of weight on their shoulders. That’s why supportive programs and relationships matter so much. They give youth a steady foundation to build from.
What’s your approach to mental health in youth programming?
We take it seriously. We’ve integrated mental health into our leadership conferences and trainings, created youth-led conversations about well-being, and partnered with experts to support our staff and volunteers. It’s not something we treat as separate from development—it’s central. We want youth to have the language, support, and resilience to navigate whatever comes their way.
How do you define success in this work?
Success looks like a young person who believes in themselves. It’s not about winning awards or checking boxes—it’s about confidence, connection, and growth. It’s when a kid who once doubted their place now mentors someone else. Or when a former 4-H’er comes back to volunteer because it meant that much to them. That ripple effect is the real impact.
What keeps you both going?
The young people. Their creativity, their questions, their kindness. They constantly remind us that the future is in good hands—as long as we keep investing in it. Every time we see a youth take initiative, try something new, or advocate for others, it renews our hope and purpose.
What’s your hope for New Hampshire’s future?
That it’s a place where youth voices aren’t just heard—they’re invited, welcomed, and woven into the decisions that shape our communities. We want a state where every kid, no matter where they come from, can see a future for themselves. And we believe that starts with connection, compassion, and the belief that growth happens when we grow together.
*This episode summary was generated by an AI analyzing a transcript of the interview. The questions, wording, and written meaning of particular sections may contain slight differences to the original conversation. We include these summaries to give listeners a brief, readable synopsis of the episode. The full episode transcript is available on granitegoodness.com.
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