The 4-H organization has changed dramatically since the early 1900’s, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the land grant universities began to organize and assist it. Then, members were mostly young people from rural areas. They concentrated on farm and home projects-raising animals and growing and canning produce. Today 4-H programs are designed for young people from different places and with different interests.
In all its programs, 4-H emphasizes learning by doing. Its main purpose is to provide young people with skills and understanding that will help them become influential members of their communities. The four H’s stand for “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.”
4-H has become one of the largest youth organizations in the world. There are clubs in all of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas. But the 4-H idea extends beyond the United States and its territories to Canada and more than 80 other countries around the world. These nations have tailored 4-H programs and ideas to fit their own needs. In the less-developed countries, many clubs offer courses in proper nutrition and in new farming methods and technology.
More than 5½ million young people from 5 to 19 years of age are active in 4-H programs in the United States. Of all 4-H members, fewer than 15 percent live on farms. More than a third live in small towns of less than 10,000 people. And more than half live in larger towns, suburban areas, or cities. Nearly 600,000 teenagers and adults volunteer their time and talents to guide 4-H’ers in projects and activities.
Young people who are part of the organization are learning about and trying to solve serious problems that face their communities. 4-H’ers may be involved in programs dealing with problems of water safety or protection of the environment or with agriculture, home economics, or community service. Often the knowledge they acquire opens the door to a career. But the main purpose of the programs is to help young people become useful and effective citizens.
Millions of projects are completed each year by 4-H’ers. Some of the most popular in-clude projects involving nutrition, clothing, leadership, and health and safety. 4-H members may take part in theatrical productions and study aerospace and karate.
In rural areas, many 4-H members work with livestock, crops, poultry, forestry, marketing, and farm machinery. Girls and boys learn new farming methods, do experimental research, and have fun as well.
Young people in cities and suburbs, as well as those in rural areas, can be involved in projects in community development, conservation, home gardening, photography, public speaking, woodworking, and personal devel-opment. Older girls and boys find a challenge in projects involving career studies, money management, and consumer education.
Community 4-H Clubs. A community or neighborhood 4-H club is associated with an area known to local people—a crossroads, a town, a suburban community, a city block, or a housing complex. This type of 4-H club continues from year to year. Usually both girls and boys belong to the club, enrolling in projects according to their interests. The number of members in a club may range from five or six to more than 100.
Project Clubs. In many states, 4-H is organized in project clubs. These clubs are usually formed for a year or less. Examples include clubs for projects involving gardening, clothing, dairying, horses, tractors, rocketry, small engines, and pets. The territory of the project club may range from a neighborhood of a few families or a city block to an entire county. In many counties, members of a community 4-H club may belong to a larger 4-H project club as well.
Special Interest Groups. Young people may take part in this type of intensive, short-term group if they do not wish to become members of a 4-H club. Projects are often related to the needs of the community. For example, a group might receive training in bicycle safety, health and first aid, or babysitting or for jobs in local businesses.
4-H EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) is a special-interest program reaching over 600,000 young people every year. It serves people with limited re-sources and centers on nutrition, diet, use of foods, and personal development.
Television Teaching. In the late 1950’s, a state 4-H program produced the first 4-H se-ries for television. Since then, other programs have been developed and shared. Videotapes and educational materials for members are made for use by individuals and groups. Many have been used in school systems.
Special Activities. 4-H programs are supplemented with a wide variety of educational activities. Among them are tours, leaders’ workshops, achievement programs, camps, state conferences, seminars, exhibitions and fairs, and career-development programs. Two national events are held for 4-H members each year. The largest is the National 4-H Congress, which focuses on leadership, work skill preparation, and community involvement. At the National 4-H Conference, held in Washington, D.C., members help develop national 4-H program direction.
4-H is a program of the Cooperative Extension System, a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state land-grant universities, and county governments. Businesses, private organizations, and individuals provide support to 4-H programs in the form of educational training materials, scholarships, and community service projects.
National leadership is provided by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service in the Research, Education, and Extension Administration of the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the National 4-H Council. In Canada, 4-H is administered by the Provincial Extension Service and supported by the Canadian 4-H Council.
More information on 4-H activities and local groups may be obtained from the Extension Service of any county or land-grant university. You may also write directly to Families, 4-H, and Nutrition, CSREES, Mail Stop 2225, 1400 Independence Avenue, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.
Information on 4-H in Canada may be obtained from the Canadian 4-H Council, 1690 Woodward Drive, Suite 208, Ottawa, Ontario K2C 3R8.
Web sites for 4-H in the United States and Canada are http://www.4h-usa.org and http://www.4-h-canada.ca.
Hobbs, Alma. (1998.) “Four H.” pp 395-396. in The New Book of Knowledge. Grolier.
—reprinted with permission of Dr. Hobbs.
Dr. Hobbs is national program leader for Families, 4-H, and Nutrition,
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Copyright © 1997-1999 NCC Cooperative Extension
Last revised June 26, 1999
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