4-H & Youth Development

Those new to 4-H might think it is only for families with animals and livestock, but 4-H is so much more! With activities from shooting sports to robotics and from art to citizenship, 4-Hers across the country learn and create on an incredible diversity of topics and interests. 

4-H is founded on a belief in the power of our youth and their ability to influence and improve the world around them. 4-H projects are very hands-on, encouraging participants to learn through doing. By engaging in new skills and challenges outside of traditional learning, 4-Hers can explore their individual strengths and hopefully find a ‘spark’ that lights the fire of internal motivation to learn and grow. 

An interest nurtured through 4-H programming can become the drive to build a career within a related field. 4-H projects encourage young people to follow their passions, interests and talents and forge their individual path to personal development, instill a sense of personal responsibility and inspire meaningful involvement in their community.

Ready for your spark? Learn more about 4-H projects you can explore.

We believe in:

• The potential of all young people
• Developing engaged young adults who are empowered, confident, hard-working, determined, responsible and compassionate
• Helping provide building blocks for life-long success, no matter if one’s future involves college or a career
• Encouraging participants to see the world as full of opportunity, especially when combining passion with skill
• Ensuring access and equity for all
• The power of America’s leading public universities
• The practice of positive youth development (PYD) by creating positive learning experiences
• Caring and trusted adult mentors who inspire and cultivate positive relationships with youth
• Creating safe, diverse, and inclusive environments

By participating in 4-H programs, kids and teens between the ages of 8-18 complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, art, outdoor skills and civic engagement. Receiving guidance and instruction from vetted adult volunteers in a positive environment, these youth are encouraged to take proactive leadership roles.

4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension – a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provide experiences where individuals learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4-H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids opportunities to develop who they are and understand how they can make their lives and communities better.