What is 4-H? 4-H is a nonformal educational youth development program conducted by University of California Cooperative Extension. In each county, the local Extension staff (County Director, 4-H Youth Advisor, 4-H Program Representative) administer the program. 4-H provides a wide variety of enrichment activities. Members belong to a group and take part in group events, or explore their own special interests on an individual basis. The purpose of 4-H is to help young people discover and develop their potential. 4-H encourages young people to set their own goals and make their own plans and decisions. This helps boys and girls mature and build self-confidence. By being part of a group, 4-H'ers learn to understand and to cooperate with others. These two basic skills help youth achieve a happy, useful life. Who Can Participate? Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H as primary members if they are 5 years old or in kindergarten as of January 1 of the program year. Because programming varies from county to county, check with your local county 4-H office to learn what is offered for primary members. If a youth is 9 years old or enters 4th grade by January 1 of the program year, he or she enrolls as a regular member. Please note that the grade criterion does not apply to home schooled children. Youth remain eligible for membership until December 31 of the year in which they turn 19 years old. 4-H Projects See also the projects page. Each year, a 4-H member enrolls in at least one project. Some project groups meet once a week. Others meet once or twice a month. The purpose of these meetings is to guide the members in gaining knowledge, attitudes, skills, and habits needed to complete their work successfully. Responsibilities of 4-H Members 4-H members work as individuals and as a team. They: Select projects with guidance from a 4-H leader and parents or guardians, or join a special interest group. Complete the outlined project work. Keep a record of project work. Attend 4-H meetings. Participate in local and county 4-H activities and events. Learn the 4-H Pledge and Motto. Exhibit project work. Participate in committee assignments. Participate in community service activities. Abide by the 4-H Code of Conduct. 4-H Philosophy Part of the history of any organization is the philosophy of the people who help to guide its growth. The 4-H Motto is: To Make the Best Better The 4-H Pledge says: I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world. The 4-H Emblem is a four-leaf clover with the letter "H" on each leaf. The four H's stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. The leaves of the clover are green and the H's are white. The 4-H Creed says: I believe in 4-H work for the opportunity it will give me to become a useful citizen. I believe in the training of my head for the power it will give me to think, plan, and reason. I believe in the training of my heart for the nobleness it will give me to become kind, sympathetic, and true. I believe in the training of my hands for the ability it will give me to become helpful, useful, and skillful. I believe in the training of my health for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease, and to work efficiently. I believe in my country, my state, and my community, and in my responsibility for their development. In all these things I believe, and I am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment. This page has been derived from the document Welcome to 4-H, Document 4-H-1057. The full text of the document can be found here.

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California State 4-H YDP Website | UC ANR | National 4-H Headquarters (USDA) | San Mateo County Cooperative Extension

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