4-H / What 4-H Is About

FOUNDED: Congress passed the Smith Lever Act in 1914. This provided for a National Cooperative Extension Service giving each state a land grant university. Cornell University is New York State’s land grant university. Under it, the “boys” and “girls” “club work” became 4-H.

WORLD SCOPE: 4-H is international, with more than 80 countries having 4-H or organizations modeled after 4-H programs. 4-H and its counterpart programs have sought to promote international understanding and a feeling of “oneness” among people globally. 4-H is a world leader in developing youth to become productive citizens and catalysts for positive change to meet the needs of a diverse and changing society. 4-H Clubs are also on US Military bases throughout the world.

WHAT IS 4-H: 4-H is a unique, informal education program for boys and girls. It is one of the largest youth programs in the world. 4-H’ers live in small towns, cities, the suburbs and on farms. They come from all economic and cultural backgrounds. They “learn by doing”, and work on varied projects.

4-H EMBLEM: The emblem is a four leaf clover with an “H” in each leaf. The letters in the emblem stand for HEAD, HEART, HANDS, and HEALTH, – the foundation of all 4-H programs.

4-H leaders help members develop…

HEAD…..Learning to think, make decisions, understand the “whys”, gain new and valuable knowledge.

HEART….Be concerned with the welfare of others, accept responsibilities of citizenship, determine values and attitudes by which to live, learn how to work with others.

HANDS…..Learn new skills, perfect skills already known, develop pride in work and respect for it.

HEALTH…..Practice healthful living, protect the well-being of self and others, make constructive use of leisure time.

4-H PLEDGE: (adopted at the first National 4-H Camp, 1927) 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.

4-H MOTTO: “To Make the Best Better”

4-H METHOD: “Learn by Doing”

4-H COLORS: Green & White; Green – Nature’s most common color and emblematic of springtime, life and youth. White – symbolizes purity and high ideals.

The 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 helpful, skillful and useful.
• I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, 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.