What is 4-H?

4-H is a nonformal, educational, youth develoment program available to youth age 5 and in Kindergarten to age 19.  The Ohio 4-H program is coordinated by County, Regional, and State 4-H Youth Development professionals, who are staff members of The Ohio State University Extension. 

What do youth do in 4-H? 

You can participate in 4-H activities that reflect your interests and talents!
4-H offers learning experiences in more than 200 subject areas.  Some of the subject areas include: health, family life, photography, aearospace science, bicycles, natural resources, safety, horticulture, nutrition, money management, and livestock.  Members can go to camp, do demonstrations, learn about electricity or learn to sew--and there's more!

Ohio 4-H utilizes four primary delivery methods to educate youth.

Thee types of learning experiences are emphasized in 4-H youth development programs and activities.

• Hands-on (making, producing, practicing, observing, etc.)
• Organized activities (demonstrations, workshops, field trips, camps, etc.)
• Leadership/citizenship (conducting, planning, assisting, informing, organizing, etc.)

4-H Mission

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

4-H Vision

A world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.

4-H Pledge

"I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service,
and my Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world."

The pledge tells what 4-H is all about. 4-H has as its goal the four-fold development of youth: Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The pledge was adopted by the delegates to the 1927 National 4-H Club Camp in Washington, DC. State club leaders voted for and adopted the pledge for universal use. The phrase "and my world" was added in 1973. The saying of the pledge has prominent place in 4-H activities at regular 4-H meetings, achievement days, and other club events.

4-H Motto 

"To Make The Best Better"
The motto was adopted at about the same time as the 4-H Club Pledge. Its intent is to inspire young people to continue to learn and grow, to make their best efforts better through participating in educational experiences.