About 4-H

Engaging Youth...

The 4-H Youth Development Program emphasizes enrichment education through inquiry-based learning. Youth are encouraged to discover their passions, adopt a growth mindset, practice self-reflection and set goals. 4-H projects and programs are focused around the core content areas of citizenship, healthy living, and science, technology, engineering, and math.

We have developed a "Handbook For New Families" as a guide to help understand the 4-H program. Below is the handbook as well as a "County Information" sheet that can be filled in with county contact information. 

Building Relationships...

The California 4-H Youth Development Program in 2016 includes more than 85,000 youth members supported by 13,500 caring and enthusiastic adult volunteers. 4-H provides participants with an opportunity to develop strong, positive relationships with adults while engaging in meaningful activities. By placing an emphasis on youth-adult partnerships, both members and volunteers can effectively learn, plan and work together to thrive.

Initiating Partnerships...

The 4-H Youth Development Program maintains a unique partnership of cooperative extension with the USDA, University of California, CA 4-H Foundation, and county governments. These public partnerships, along with private benefactors, support the mission and direction of the 4-H program, advance the field of youth development, and enrich the programs delivered to youth.

Vision

Healthy, happy, thriving people who make a positive difference in their communities.

Mission 

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program engages youth in reaching their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.

Core Values

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program provides a wide variety of enrichment activities with the ultimate goal of giving youth the skills they need to thrive and succeed throughout their lives. The focus of all 4-H programs is positive youth development through activities in science literacy, healthy living, and citizenship. All 4-H programs are accessible and open to all youth. 

1. The 4-H Youth Development Program adheres to the 4-H Vision, Mission and Values. 4-H Youth Development Program core values require that programs be:

1. Responsive to California’s youth and families,
2. Inclusive and diverse,
3. Innovative and adaptable,
4. Accountable for actions and resources,
5. Collaborative and team focused,
6. Honest, fair and equitable,
7. Respectful of the health and well-being of people, animals and the environment, and
8. Evaluated regularly and adjusted as needed to maintain effectiveness.
   
   
1. 
   Core Values are criteria for designing and implementing educational activities and measuring educational impacts based on the following:
   
   
1. 4-H Youth Development Program activities focus on education and meet identified UC ANR Strategic Initiatives and clientele needs.
2. 4-H Youth Development Program adult volunteers are guides to youth learning. They also respect others’ viewpoints and abilities.
3. 4-H Youth Development Program programs respond to a range of individual learning styles, abilities and backgrounds.
4. 4-H Youth Development Program educational activities are inclusive, not exclusive. Educational efforts are available to the public on an equal opportunity basis in accordance with the University of California and federal affirmative action/diversity policies; and are limited only by University of California Cooperative Extension resources.
5. 4-H Youth Development Program staff and adult volunteers emphasize experiential “learn-by-doing” methods.
6. 4-H Youth Development Program staff and adult volunteers teach new skills, validate achievement and encourage sharing of information and learning.

Read more about the California 4-H Mission and Direction (2003).

4-H Emblem

The official emblem is green with white H's - the 4-H colors. The white symbolizes purity. The green represents nature's most common color and is emblematic of youth, life and growth. The 4-H flag consists of a green, four-leaf, stemmed clover on a white background. The clover has a letter “H” in white or metallic gold on each leaf. The H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

The 4-H emblem symbolizes the aim and desired results of effective learning for each individual.

HEAD - Problem solving: ability to sort out complex problems.
HEART - Emotional development: developing good attitudes toward work and learning; developing acceptance and appreciation of other people. 
HANDS - Skills development: ability to do, skill in doing and habit of doing. 
HEALTH - Physical development: understanding and appreciating a growing and changing body.

Use of 4-H Colors, Symbols and Emblem:

1. The use of 4-H symbols is optional. However, if 4-H symbols are used to publicize events or represent activities as official 4-H functions, their use must conform to certain regulations. See Using the 4-H Name and Emblem for more information.
2. Suspected violations in the use of the 4-H name or emblem should be reported to the UCCE county director at the county level. Violations that extend beyond one county or a multi-county partnership should be reported to the Associate Director of 4-H Program and Policy.

4-H Motto

4-H Creed

I believe in 4-H Club work for the opportunity it will give me to become a useful citizen.

I believe in the training of my HEAD for the power it will give me to think, plan and to reason.

I believe in the training of my HEART for the nobleness it will give me to be kind, sympathetic and true.

I believe in the training of my HANDS for the ability it will give me to be helpful, skillful, and useful.

I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease, and to work efficiently.

I believe in my country, my state, and my community and in my responsibility for their development.

In all these things I believe, and am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment.