4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. The idea of 4-H is simple: help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be a proactive force in their communities and to develop ideas for a more innovative world. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

Alabama 4-H provides meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to work together to create sustainable community change. This is accomplished within three primary content areas–civic engagement and leadership, healthy living, and science. These areas also reiterate the founding purpose of Extension through agriculture (e.g., community leadership, quality of life, and technology transfer) in the context of twenty-first century challenges and opportunities.

What does 4-H provide?

1. A place to belong. 4-H provides a positive relationship with a caring adult and a safe environment where everyone feels included.
2. An opportunity to practice independence. Youth have an opportunity to feel they have control over their future, they can pursue their own interests and abilities, and make their own choices.
3. A place to engage in generosity. Youth have an opportunity to value and practice service for others, and learn they can make a difference.
4. A safe place to take risks and discover mastery. Youth are involved in the learning process and have an opportunity to master skills.

4-H members are…

• 4X more likely to contribute back to their communities
• 2X more likely to be civically active
• 2X more likely to participate in STEM programs outside of school

Tufts University, 2010