What is 4-H?

4-H is an international organization for youth, 5-19 years old, that promotes hands-on learning and is based on parent and volunteer participation. The 4-H program in the United States is administered through county Cooperative Extension offices, land grant colleges in each state, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a variety of volunteer councils at the county, state, and national levels.

4-H welcomes all youth (and adult volunteers) from all backgrounds in all locales (rural and urban).

4-H Clubs are one of the most popular and visible parts of the overall 4-H program. A 4-H Club is run by youth with the help of one or more adult advisors. The Club usually has one meeting a month where all members attend. This meeting is run by elected club officers and covers general club business.

Each Club offers one or more projects. Projects are at the heart of 4-H's hands-on-learning approach. Each project focuses on a topic -- anything from sewing to car maintenance to rocket science. Projects are taught by older youth and/or adult volunteers and generally meet one or more times a month.

The 4-H Pledge

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.