"Helping people put research-based knowledge to work so that they can improve their lives" -- that has long been the mandate, and the essence, of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Established in 1914 by the Smith-Lever Act, the Cooperative Extension is a partnership of county, state and federal governments.

Throughout its history, Extension has focused on providing people with learning opportunities that allow them to benefit from university-based knowledge. North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a collaborative effort between the Cooperative Extension Service, based in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University, and the Cooperative Extension Program, based in the School of Agriculture at North Carolina A&T State University.

4-H is the youth development program of Cooperative Extension. Extension's 4-H program has its roots in the Girls' Canning Clubs and Boys' Corn clubs, which were started in 1909 to help young men increase their family's farm yields. Early successes with hands-on, research-based learning provided a solid start for today's 4-H program.

The four Hs stand for head, heart, hands, and health. With this focus on the total development of young people, 4-H continues to prepare youth ages 5 to 19 to be responsible, capable citizens. While 4-H enjoys a reputation of program excellence in the traditional areas of agriculture, life sciences and consumer sciences, the North Carolina 4-H program also is at the forefront of contemporary public issues such as child care, workforce preparedness, leadership development and environmental stewardship. By taking part in 4-H, young people gain academic and interpersonal skills that provide a foundation for their future.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is citizen driven, with learning opportunities developed in response to citizen needs. Our county centers and campus administrators are advised by a statewide citizen advisory system. Our connection to North Carolinians begins in the rural areas, small towns and large cities across our state and reaches to NC State University, to N.C. A&T State University and to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Extension's 4-H program has a proud history of excellence and an exciting future. By continuing to respond to locally identified needs with programs that are relevant, productive, economically efficient and appealing, the future of 4-H is unlimited in potential. The Cooperative Extension's 4-H Youth Development network opens doors of state and national opportunities to all North Carolina's children and their families.

For more information about 4-H in your county, call Linda Gore, 4-H agent at the Moore County Center Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at 910.947.3188. You'll be glad you did!
Note: You also can send email to Linda_Gore@ncsu.edu.