About
4-H
4-H is the
Cooperative Extension System’s dynamic, nonformal, educational
program for today’s young people. The program partners the
cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant
universities, state and local governments, 4-H Foundations, and
the Cooperative State Research, Educational and Extension Service
of the US Department of Agriculture. Nebraska 4-H
is comprised of youth, ages 5-19, and adults. Adults are involved
as volunteers working with youth as leaders or on committees and
boards providing the framework for 4-H. More than 400 Extension
staff across the state serve as primary contacts for the more than
135,000 youth and 20,000 volunteers.
All partners
are working across the country to assist youth in developing knowledge,
skills and attitudes that will enable them to become productive
and contributing members of society. 4-H impacts youth from all
ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds who live in rural,
suburban, and urban communities.
4-H is one
of the largest youth organizations in the United States with more
than 7 million participants and more than 610,595 youth and
adult volunteers working directly and indirectly with youth. Universally
recognized by its four-leaf clover emblem, 4-H serves youth through
a variety of methods including organized clubs, school-enrichment
groups, special interest groups, individual study programs, camps,
school-age child care programs, and instructional television programs.
To date, more than 45 million people are 4-H alumni.
4-H has spread
internationally through the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE)
program. This is an in-depth learning experience in which 4-H alumni
and other young adults live with host families in other countries
to increase global awareness, develop independent study interests,
and improve language skills. Programs vary from country to country,
with some emphasizing an agricultural work experience, volunteering
at an adult training center, or working with a local youth development
program similar to 4-H.
Youth can
participate in more than 110 program areas, including:
- community
service
- communications
- arts
- consumer
and family sciences
- environmental
education
- earth
sciences
- healthy
lifestyle education
- leadership
- plants
and animals
- science
and technology
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