What is 4-H?

4-H creates innovative programs that meet the evolving needs of our nation's diverse suburban and urban youth while continuing to fulfill the needs of young citizens in rural America. 4-H involves youth in self-determined, hands-on learning activities such as workforce skills, citizenship, public speaking and other local 4-H program areas. Youth use their own learning styles and participate at their own pace in a wide variety of projects and activities.

Over 5.6 million youth, ages 5-19, participate in 4-H each year, to become self-motivated, productive, and contributing citizens. In 4-H, kids develop relationships that inspire people to voluntarily help themselves and others as they interact with caring adults and peers.

4-H has a 100 year tradition of voluntary action through strong public-private partnerships at federal, state, and community levels. Local volunteer leaders partner with county Extension staff to provide direct leadership and educational support to young people in suburban, urban, and rural communities.

4-H is part of the Youth Development program of the Cooperative Extension System, which includes the state land-grant universities, county Extension offices, and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. County Extension staff work with land-grant university researchers and educators, who are up-to-date about youth development and subject areas like the environment, science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
 
 


Local 4-H Offices
Maryland 4-H Vision and Mission Statement
Alumni Home Page
4-H Update Newsletter
Calendar
Virtually Visit the Maryland 4-H Center!
Maryland 4-H's Links to Other Sites
Upcoming Events in Maryland and National 4-H
Maryland 4-H Kid's Page

*Maryland 4-H Project Selection Guide
*Maryland Cooperative Extension Home
*College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Home

 

 
 
 
 

For questions or comments about the Maryland 4-H web pages, send mail to Anne Tompkins, Maryland 4-H Center.