What is 4-H?

4-H is America’s largest youth development organization — empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to go beyond the expected. To be Beyond Ready.

4‑H is a Community for all Kids

In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us.

What is 4‑H?

4‑H is delivered by Cooperative Extension — a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.

Through life-changing 4-H programs, nearly six million kids and teens are learning the skills and abilities to be resilient, adaptable and ready for work and life.

We believe in:

● all young people’s potential;

● developing young people who are empowered, confident, hard-working, determined, responsible and compassionate — seeing a world beyond themselves so that they have the life-long skills to succeed in college and career;

● every child is valuable and deserves the support and freedom to choose their own path;

● 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 cultivate positive relationships with youth;

● creating safe environments; and

● meeting young people wherever they are.

National reach, local programs for kids

In 4‑H programs, kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4‑H camps.

4‑H’s reach and depth are unmatched, reaching kids in every corner of America — from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities. Our network of 500,000 volunteers and more than 3,000 4-H professionals provides caring and supportive mentoring to all 6 million 4H’ers — helping them grow into engaged individuals who are hungry to learn, open to new experiences and ready to take on the world.

Benefits of 4-H

4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization and we empower young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

Kids Build Life Skills Through Hands-On Learning

Kids build life skills by leading hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture and, civic engagement—helping them to grow confidence, independence, resilience and compassion. Adult mentors provide a positive environment where they learn by doing. This 4‑H experience is delivered by a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation.

4‑H is always here

4‑H’s positive youth development programs are available where you need them and welcome children who want to have fun, learn and grow. CLOVER provides critical learning resources for kids and teens all year long.

4-H Prepares Young People to be Beyond Ready

4H empowers young people with skills the classroom doesn’t always teach. Confidence; the know-how to work well with others; the ability to push through challenges and stick with a job until it gets done. In 4H, we don’t just prepare youth with the knowledge to get through life’s obstacles, we teach them how to conquer them.

4‑H programs hands-on approach gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research proves the unparalleled impact of the 4‑H experience.

The 4-H difference

Life skills to lead

4‑H’s hands-on approach is proven to grow life skills like confidence, independence, resilience and compassion through stages and developed through experiences, not instruction.

The result? Kids who are empowered with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

Hands-on experiences

More young people need the kind of hands-on, youth-led experiences that 4‑H programs provide. Experiences where they learn by doing, grow from failure, express their ideas and use their influence to drive positive outcomes. Adult mentors provide guidance, ask questions, share learnings and encourage.

University backed

4H reaches nearly six million young people through Cooperative Extension — a community of more than 100 public universities and 3,000 local offices. Programs are delivered by over 3,000 4H professionals and more than 500,000 volunteers.

Helping Youth Thrive

The Science of Success

4-H programs have engaged young people in learning and growing for over a century, but our work is about much more than a club, a camp or after school program. It’s about helping youth thrive — now and in the future.

The science behind the success of 4-H is Positive Youth Development, a comprehensive approach to promoting learning and development. Its goal is to help young people feel empowered and develop critical life skills that allow them to reach their fullest potential. 

Our programs have positive, measurable impacts on not only social and emotional growth, but the behavioral and cognitive development of our youth. 

We make sure PYD is a part of every 4-H opportunity, helping kids thrive with the following elements.

Helping Youth Thrive

Sparks: Providing a place where youth can find and explore what sparks their interest.

Belonging: Creating spaces of belonging — where ALL kids feel welcome and physically and emotionally safe.

Relationships: Nurturing positive, supportive and empowering relationships between youth and adults and youth and their peers.

Engagement: Challenging and encouraging youth to pursue their own learning and growth. Promoting active engagement where youth have a voice.

Longterm Goals

In addition to these key components, 4-H supports social-emotional learning that helps youth develop critical life skills. An openness to challenge and discovery, positive emotions, a healthy growth mindset and goal setting skills are fundamental for success.

These skills help create positive long-term outcomes like high personal standards, connection with others, vocational and academic success and — most importantly — a sense of happiness and well-being.

In 4-H, we know that youth is our greatest resource. Our mission is to help them succeed — wherever their imagination takes them.

Impact areas

Young People Need 4-H Now

We believe all young people and their need to be ready for work and life. Every child is valuable and deserves the support and freedom to choose their own path. Through Positive Youth Development programming, 4-H is preparing young people with the skills they need today — and tomorrow. We believe in the potential of all youth and strive to let their talents flourish.

Digital divide

With a growing coalition of partners, 4-H is helping connect teens with adults in underserved communities to find greater opportunities for employment through access to digital skills training and broadband connectivity. Studies estimate that nearly one in four American households lack access to broadband internet. 

Healthy

4-H has proven to instill confidence and resiliency. Dedicated to empowering youth in both body and mind, we rely on scientifically backed studies and programming that drive youth forward so they can be prepared for anything.

Environmental sustainability

4-H’ers are taking action to address sustainability, with more than one million environmental projects completed. 4-H provides a platform for young people to understand the planet’s challenges while encouraging a problem-solving mindset and offering practical ways to make a difference through technology, innovation, and community action.

Workforce readiness

College and career readiness is a hallmark of 4-H programming that provides youth hands-on skill development, leadership, teamwork, and communication expertise and a pathway to guide their journey. Survey results show that almost 75% credit 4-H with having helped them decide about college, and 84% of 4-H’ers have identified a career that is a good fit through the program.

Engaged

We believe all young people and their need to be ready for work and life. Every child is valuable and deserves the support and freedom to choose their own path. We believe in the potential of all youth and strive to let their talents flourish. In an environment where members, staff and volunteers feel comfortable being themselves, 4-H empowers and supports young people to drive social change.