Myth: You have to live on a farm to be a 4-H member.
Truth: Not all 4-H members live on a farm. You don’t even have to live in a rural area to be a 4-H member. We have one club that meets at the Neighborhood House in Wilmington. The overwhelming majority of New Castle County 4-H members live in the suburbs and Wilmington.
Myth: You can’t have a livestock project if you don’t live on a farm.
Truth: 4-H members in New Castle County can raise animals at one or two 4-H operated livestock facilities.
Myth: 4-H is not cool.
Truth: There are lots of great projects, opportunities, you get to meet new friends and try things you haven’t done in school or in other youth clubs. 4-H allows you to travel and meet new people.
Myth: 4-H is just about cows and cooking.
Truth: 4-H is about computers and money management; conservation and theater arts; camping and photography; and many other topic areas as well as livestock and food and nutrition projects.
Myth: 4-H’ers never amount to anything.
Truth: Famous 4-H alumni include Vice Presidents Al Gore and Walter Mondale, as well as David Letterman and Johnny Carson. In Delaware, some notable alumni are Lt. Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Attorney General Jane Brady. Recent research shows that 4-H alumni are more likely to be involved on school boards, PTA groups and in other areas than are alumni of other organizations.
Myth: All 4-Hers show cows at fairs.
Truth: 4-H programs may include livestock competitions, but also include public speaking, fashion shows, dances, demonstrations or service projects like community gardens. There were well over 3,000 4-H exhibits at the state fair last year in the 4-H building alone. P.S. Not all bovines are cows, some are steers!
Myth: The 4-H’s stand for horses, hay, hogs and home.
Truth: The 4 H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, Health. View the 4-H Pledge.
Myth: 4-H is too much like school.
Truth: No way! 4-H is hands on learning, it provides a place to be with your friends, socialize, have fun! The 4-H motto is “Learn by Doing.”
Myth: 4-H is only for farm kids and people from small rural towns.
Truth: 4-H is in 80 countries; there are city clubs, exchanges and great travel opportunities for 4-H members. Very few New Castle County 4-H members live on a farm.
Bonus Truth: While 4-H prides itself on developing future leaders (some of whom may be farmers) it also gives people the skills they need to be anything they want to be— business leaders, accountants, lawyers, doctors, athletes, entertainers, teachers, politicians—the list is only limited by your imagination.
Copyright © 1997 NCC Cooperative Extension
Last revised December 9, 1997
It is the policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin.