• 180,000 youth are involved in 4-H programs annually in Alabama.
• 4-H'ers are more likely to succeed in school, get more A's than their peers; are more involved as leaders in their schools and communities; and are looked to as role models by others.*
• 4-H provides young people with a positive self-image, and gives them the confidence they need to succeed in life.*
• 4-H'ers feel more socially competent and self-assured than their classmates.*
• 4-H’ers are from all types of backgrounds; one-fifth of 4-H’ers in grades 1-7 are from families with annual incomes of less than $15,000.*

*Source: Studies by Cornell University and Montana State University.

4-H is reaching kids no one else is reaching—the inner city and rural kids who
are most in need of our help. 4-H youth represent a broad spectrum:

• 64 percent are Caucasian and 36 percent are African-American

• Almost an equal number of girls and boys participate • Most 4-H’ers—46 percent—are in grades 4-6.

4-H’ers represent all of the state:

• 56% are from towns of under 10,000 people

• 34% live in towns and cities between 10,000 and 50,000 people

• 8% reside in suburbs and cities of more than 50,000

• 2% live on farms

17,000 youth and adults attend 4-H Environmental Stewardship Camps and Educational Training annually at the Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center, located on the shores of Lay Lake in central Alabama (Shelby County). 4-H provides learning opportunities in eight crucial areas:

• Citizenship and Civic Education
• Communicative and Expressive Arts
• Family and Consumer Science
• Environmental Education and Natural Resources
• Healthy Lifestyle Education
• Personal Development and Leadership
• Plant and Animal Sciences
• Science and Technology