Updated for 2004

• In Pennsylvania
• In all 49 other states
• In 82 other countries

More than 5 million members and 650,000 leaders are involved in 4-H! Though 4-H is all over the world, the programs and offerings vary from place to place.

Emblem, Colors, Pledge, and Motto

The four-leaf clover is the official emblem. The four "H's" stand for head, heart, hands, and health.

4-H colors are: Green and White

Members recite the pledge during 4-H meeting.

The 4-H motto is: "Make the Best Better." It means to always try to do a thing better, to constantly improve.

How Did 4-H Begin?

4-H began in the early 1900s. The first groups were called Boys and Girls Clubs. Then in 1914, Congress passed an act which established Cooperative Extension and 4-H.

Cooperative Extension is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is also part of Penn State University. Through Cooperative Extension, the university reaches out to your community.

Who Brings 4-H to You?

Extension agents are hired by Penn State to work with the 4-H program. They organize 4-H in the county and community. EFNEP 4-H advisers work with low income 4-H youth enrolled in "Eating Right is Basic 2" and other approved foods and nutrition projects.

4-H helps 4-H'ers have fun learning. Volunteers do not generally get paid for the help they give 4-H. They help because they want boys and girls to learn new things. They want them to grow up to be good, useful citizens. Friends of 4-H also helps. This is an organization that raises money for 4-H clubs and activities.

What is 4-H About?

Every 4-H member selects at least one project. A project is what the member decides to study, make, or raise. Members choose projects that interests them and that fit into their family, community, and the way they live. Sharing projects with parents brings 4-H into the family and the family into 4-H activities. Members should take only one or two projects the first year. Sometimes members plan more than they can get done and get discouraged.

4-H Members Can Choose Projects In:

• Animal Sciences: Beef, Dairy, Horse, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Poultry, Rabbits Dog, Cats, Veterinary Science.
• Expressive Arts: Applied Arts, Leathercraft, Photography, Performing Arts.
• Home Economics: Foods and Nutrition, Clothing, Child Care, Money Management.
• Mechanical Sciences: Aerospace, Bicycle, Small Engines, Woodworking.
• Natural Resources: Challenge, Discovery, Geology, Shooting Sports.
• Plant Sciences: Plants and Soils, Gardening, Pest Management.
• Social Sciences: Health, Citizenship, International and Cross Cultural, Leadership, Beginning Projects for 1st and 2nd grades.
• EFNEP 4-H members may be enrolled in the "Eating Right is Basic" and other foods and nutrition projects. They can also take 4-H leadership project. (See guidelines for EFNEP youth program materials.) EFNEP is a specially funded program to teach foods and nutrition.

How Do Members Take Part in 4-H?

Young people, from 8 to 19, can join 4-H. To join, a youngster can contact the local 4-H leaders, the EFNEP adviser, county extension agent, or write: State 4-H Office, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802. (814-865-5561).

Kinds of 4-H Programs Available Are:

• 4-H clubs. Clubs have a planned program and meet most of the year. They may be either one-project or multi-project clubs. Clubs include several learning experiences: demonstrations, project work, club offices, etc.
• Special interest groups, school enrichment programs, individual study, and camping programs are other ways young people can participate in 4-H.

Who Helps a 4-H Member?

4-H members are helped by adults and older youth. They are volunteer leaders. Every 4-H club needs one or more of these volunteer leaders. These leaders:

• Help teach boys and girls
• Help organize the club
• Help officers conduct meetings
• Involve parents and other family members

There are different kinds of 4-H leaders:

• The organizational leader coordinates the activity of the entire club.
• The project leader helps members with specific projects.
• Activity leaders are responsible for one or more activities. Some examples are music, recreation, demonstrations, careers.
• A teen leader works under the guidance of an adult. He or she helps with activities and events or helps members with their project work.

The extension agent helps 4-H club leaders. The agent:

• Plans the county program.
• Helps leaders organize clubs and special 4-H groups.
• Furnishes project material.
• Coordinates county events.
• Trains 4-H leaders.

State-wide 4-H specialists work at Penn State University. They:

• Help train 4-H agents and leaders.
• Develop and maintain new and existing programs and project materials.

Even though leaders guide members, 4-H is really a family program, and the parents or family should play an important part in 4-H project work.

How Do Young People Learn in 4-H?

Basically, 4-H members "learn by doing." Young people, with guidance from adults, learn useful skills, how to live with people, and serve their community and country by practicing these skills in real-life situations.

4-H members learn by taking part in:

• Project work: Project work helps members gain knowledge and skills and learn to take responsibility. By doing project work at home, members can develop a feeling of partnership with their parents.

• Presentations: 4-H members show and tell others how to do things they learn. This is called giving a demonstration, and it is a member's first step to helping others and developing leadership. They may also give talks or speeches.

• Record keeping: 4-H members write a record and story of what they have done in each project. Keeping records helps members evaluate their 4-H learning and develops business sense. Records must be completed and signed by a member's parents or guardian and leader at the end of the 4-H year.

• Recreation: 4-H'ers learn to enjoy life, themselves, and their association with others in social activities.

• Club projects: The entire club can choose one project. In Community Pride projects, 4-H'ers do things to improve their community. 4-H clubs often choose community projects in conservation, beautification, safety, or health.

• County contests: 4-H members taking part in contests are judged so they learn how to improve their skills. Participants and exhibitors usually receive ribbons.

• Exhibits: Members may exhibit their project results at club meetings, fairs, and/or the 4-H round-ups. Exhibiting 4-H projects shows others what 4-H'ers are doing, helps members find where they can improve their work, and gives members a sense of pride and accomplishment.

• 4-H camp: Many 4-H members attend camp. They take part in educational and recreational experiences as they learn more about nature and living with people.

• 4-H ambassadors: Older teens may serve their county or state program or develop special interest programs and social activities.

• 4-H exchanges: Exchanges can be arranged with clubs from different counties, city and farm members, and clubs in other states. Exchanges help 4-H'ers develop a broader knowledge of people and living situations and provide the chance for creating lasting friendships.

• 4-H Achievement Days: Achievement Days involve opportunities to meet 4-H members and compete in many contest areas at the state level. They are held on the Penn State's University Park campus, in either late July or early August. Activities, dances, entertainment, and a final awards program are also a part of the Achievement Day's schedule.

• National 4-H Congress: Members over age 14 may compete to attend National 4-H Congress in Chicago. Donors and the organization, Friends of 4-H, sponsors these expense-paid trips. Delegates return to share their experiences and encourage other members to enter the blue form competition to be considered for this trip.

• National 4-H Conference: 4-H members are selected each year to represent the state at the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. Delegates participate in activities and discussions related to government and 4-H.

• International Youth Exchanges: The IFYE program and other international exchanges provides opportunities for older 4-H members to live and work with families in other countries. This program also allows local families to host youth from other lands.

How Does a 4-H Club Work?

In 4-H there are two kinds of meetings:

• Club meetings are where members talk about what they want to do as a group.
• Project meetings are where members get together to work on their projects.

A club meeting has four parts with definite activities in each part:

• Opening. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, 4-H Club Pledge.
• Business. Roll Call, Secretary's Report, Treasurer's Report, Committee Reports, Old Business, New Business.
• Education. Program, Demonstration, Talks, Film, or Speaker.
• Fun. Recreation, Group Singing, Skits, Entertainment, Refreshments.

What Do Officers Do?

4-H club officers are elected by members. They are proud of their jobs and always do their best. They get things done right and on time. Each officer has specific jobs:

• President: The president is in charge of club meetings and keeps them orderly.
• Vice President: The vice president takes charge of meetings in the president's absence, introduces guests, is the program chair, and takes care of the club's property.
• Secretary: The secretary writes down what happens at the meeting, keeps attendance records, brings the secretary's book to all meetings, and mail all correspondence to the Extension Office when it is due.
• Treasurer: The treasurer takes care of club money, pays club bills, keeps an accurate account of the club's finances, and reports at each club meeting.
• Reporter: The reporter sends news stories to local newspapers and radio stations.
• Song and Recreation Leaders: The song leader teaches and leads songs. The recreation leader leads games and recreation. These leaders should know what to do and be able to demonstrate to others. They should lead with spirit and enjoyment.
• Committee Chairs: Your club may have several committees. The exact number will depend on how big the club is and what you want to do. Committees you may need include: program, membership, recreation, community pride, health, and safety.

What Do Members Do?

Members are important, too. Without members, the club won't work. Members should volunteer for jobs without being coaxed. They should attend all meetings and activities if they possibly can. Members should make suggestions and present their ideas. A member who wants the club to vote on something should make a motion. Every member should know how to make a motion:

• The member raises his or her hand, or stands, and waits to be recognized.
• When the president calls on the member, he or she says, "I move that. . ."
• Another member says, "I second the motion." If no one seconds it, the motion is dropped.
• The president asks for discussion.
• When discussion stops, the president asks members, "Are you ready for the question?" If no one wants discussion, the club is ready to vote.
• The president states the motion so everyone can hear it and calls for a vote.
• The president states, "The motion is carried" or "The motion is lost," according to the vote.

The greatest and most lasting award a 4-H member can receive is:

• Satisfaction from a job well done.
• Pride in his or her accomplishment.
• Recognition from leaders, parents, and other 4-H members for accomplishment.
• Knowledge and skill gained through the project that they can use throughout life.

However, other forms of recognition are available:

• Completion certificates and achievement pins for all 4-H members who finish a project and complete their project records.
• County award medals to members showing outstanding accomplishment in a project.
• Scholarships to 4-H camp, state 4-H conference, and national events.
• Ribbons for contest entries and exhibits.
• Premium money for ribbons earned in 4-H contests and exhibits at fairs.

4-H awards recognize improvement in knowledge, skills, and participation and provide an incentive for members to continue to "Make the Best Better."

Many 4-H awards are based on record keeping. So it is important to keep complete and accurate records.

Older members have the opportunity to submit blue forms in various project areas to receive recognition in the form of certificates, medals, scholarships and trips.

Competition in 4-H

Rewards and recognition for a job well done can boost the self-esteem of a 4-H member but sometimes the purpose of an event is not competition. In judging situations, sometimes only three (blue, red, and white) ribbons are given in a category. At other times, all exhibitors receive a ribbon. The ribbon placing is based on the judges' assessment of how well the 4-H'er met the project criteria. Often they use county score sheets that are available from the local extension office.

In no way should a member feel he or she has failed if they receive a red or a white ribbon. In the true spirit of 4-H, they should make their best effort and feel a deep personal feeling of accomplishment in doing this. No one is the best at everything, but everyone should keep trying to be the best they can be.

Adults, should refrain from putting pressure on a member to win top awards. They should encourage them to achieve, but they also should express their pride and congratulations for what went well and help the member to improve their next effort.

Adapted from "Welcome to 4-H" EM 4487, Washington State University, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, Pullman, WA 99163.

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