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4-H is a national organization that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become productive citizens. 4-H is a voluntary, informal education program for young people ages 5-18. 4-H is for all young people regardless of where they live, what their backgrounds are, or what interests them.
4-H began as a simultaneous response to needs throughout the country, rather than as the idea of one individual. The goal of the program was to extend agricultural education to rural youth by organizing boys and girls clubs and through "learning by doing."
The roots of 4-H began at the turn of the century when progressive educators started to emphasize the needs of young people and to introduce nature study as a basis for a better agricultural education. Boys and girls clubs and leagues were established in schools and churches to meet these needs. To spark the interest of young people, Farmers Institutes cooperated with school superintendents by promoting production contests, soil tests and plant identification. By March 1904 several boys and girls clubs had already exhibited projects. Most states organized clubs outside the schools with rural parents acting as volunteer leaders and County Extension agents provided materials. Farmers saw the practical benefits and public support and enthusiasm for 4-H grew throughout the nation.
4-H LINKS
E-Mail L. Danyce Dicks, 4-H
Secretary
This page last revised on: 03/25/03 by DR
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