4-H

Hello! We are 4-H, a club for young people. You might have seen our special symbol: a green four-leaf clover. Each leaf has the letter H on it. These four H's stand for our promise to you. The first H is for Head, which we promise to use for clearer thinking and learning new things. The second H is for Heart, which we promise to use for greater loyalty and caring for others. The third H is for Hands, which we promise to use for larger service to our communities. And the last H is for Health, which we promise to use for better living for ourselves and the world around us. Our main purpose is to help kids like you learn useful skills through fun, hands-on projects that let you learn by doing.

Our story began in the United States over 100 years ago, around the year 1902. Back then, many families lived and worked on farms. Leaders like A. B. Graham and T. A. Erickson saw that young people were excited to learn new ideas about farming. They helped start some of the first clubs to teach children better ways to grow food and take care of their homes. For example, some of the first clubs were corn-growing clubs just for boys. They learned about science to grow bigger and better corn. At the same time, girls often joined tomato-canning clubs. They learned how to safely preserve vegetables so their families would have healthy food to eat all winter. These early clubs showed everyone that kids could learn new skills that helped their families and communities.

Today, our clubs have grown and changed! You don't have to live in the countryside to join us. We have 4-H clubs in big cities and small towns all over the country. While some of our members still learn about farming and animals, there are hundreds of other projects you can choose from. You can explore science by building a robot, learn about computers, or study insects. You can practice public speaking, learn to cook, or create amazing art. You can also learn how to take care of animals, from dogs and rabbits to cows and horses. In our clubs, you work together with friends and caring adult volunteers. One of the most exciting times is when you get to show off your work at a local or state fair. It’s a chance to share what you’ve learned and see what other members have done. We also believe in helping others, so our clubs often work on service projects to make their neighborhoods better.

When you join one of our clubs, you become part of something big. All of our clubs across the United States are part of a large network called the Cooperative Extension System. This system connects us to big universities, which means we get to share the latest science and ideas with our members. Our story has also traveled far beyond one country. Today, you can find 4-H programs in many different countries all around the globe. This means that young people everywhere are learning to use their Head, Heart, Hands, and Health to make the world a better place.