What is 4-H?

4-H is an organization for youth, ages 5-19, that promotes hands-on learning and is based on parent and volunteer participation. 4-H welcomes all youth (and adult volunteers) from all backgrounds in all locales (rural and urban) regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran.
The United States 4-H program is run through county Cooperative Extension offices, the University of California, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a variety of volunteer councils and foundations at the county, state, and national levels. 

4-H has many different programs including after-school programs, horse groups, camping, and 4-H Clubs.  The common theme is youth learning and growing in citizenship, leadership, and life skills.

Enabling all youth to reach their fullest potential through:

  • Developing citizenship, leadership, and life skills
  • Learning by doing
  • Utilizing the knowledge and resources of the land-grant university system
  • 4-H enables youth to have fun, meet new people, learn new life skills, build self-confidence, learn responsibility, and set and achieve goals!

4-H builds the leaders of tomorrow.

  • Members can range from age 5 to age 19
  • 4-H starts on a community level, then moves onto county, section, state, and national levels
  • 4-H offers such a wide range of projects, programs and activities that every member can benefit from involvement
  • Exhibitors receive a ribbon award- purple, blue, red, white, or participation, according to the judging
  • Parents, volunteers, community leaders, and 4-H staff share their time and talents with 4-H youth
  • Get involved in a community service project through 4-H!

4-H activities can include:

  • Club 4-H Meetings and Events
  • County 4-H Events
  • 4-H Camps
  • State 4-H Youth Gatherings
  • Collegiate 4-H
  • Other 4-H Delivery Methods

Motto

To make the best better

4-H Pledge (in California)

As a True 4-H Member, I pledge
My head to clear thinking
My heart to greater loyalty
My hands to larger service
My health to better living
For my club, my community, my country, and my world.
(4-H Pledge in various languages)

 

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