What is 4-H?

While 4-H had its beginnings in rural America, it now serves youth in urban and suburban areas as well as rural communities. 4-H is a nationwide program led by state land-grant universities in cooperation with local county/district Extension councils. Each of the four H's on the clover represent ways youth can grow and develop in 4-H.

The four H's represent:
Head-critical thinking, problem solving.
Heart-self-discipline, integrity, communication.
Hands-serving others.
Health-choosing healthy lifestyles.

4-H Clubs
In either type of 4-H club, youth have fun with a purpose. There are two kinds of 4-H clubs that youth may join.

Community clubs include youth who enroll in a variety of projects; project club members enroll in the same project. Community clubs typically have structured business meetings, and emphasize community service, recreational activities and improving communication skills. In a project club, similar meetings and community activities are conducted with focus on a specific project.

4-H History

In 4-H, youth "learn by doing." Much of that learning happens through project experiences. From beef to bicycles, electricity to entomology, forestry to food science, photography to plant science, rabbits to rockets, 4-H offers project areas designed to develop the wide range of interests that appeal to today's young people. In addition to subject-matter skills, many young people develop interests that last a lifetime.

Life Skills
Club participation, projects and friendships with other members become memorable parts of the 4-H Program. Equally important are the skills that last a lifetime. Successful adults often credit their experiences in 4-H as turning points in their lives.

They credit planning, organization and public speaking skills as essential to their success. The 4-H Program has played a leadership role in identifying the five life skills most needed to help young people.

Skills learned in 4-H last a lifetime:
-A positive self-concept.
-An inquiring mind.
-A concern for the community.
-Healthy interpersonal relationships.
-Sound decision making.

As part of the 4-H experience, 4-H members are encouraged to learn about and contribute to the betterment of their communities. 4-H also utilizes a variety of community resources to enhance the educational experience of members. Those resources may include meeting places, guest speakers, volunteers and field trips.