4-H & Youth

Iowa 4-H Youth Development is the premier youth development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Providing research-based education to K-12 youth, Iowa 4-H focuses on Healthy Living, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Leadership and Civic Engagement, and Communication and the Arts. Iowa 4-H builds upon more than a century of experience in positive youth development partnering with youth to help them find their passion. For more information, please visit the Iowa 4-H website.

Many publications and resources related to 4-H are available in the Extension Store 

What is 4-H?

4-H is the youth development outreach of the land grant universities, the Cooperative Extension System and USDA.  It is made up of a community of young people across America who are learning life skills and are supported in this development process by caring adult leaders.  4-H'ers are actively involved in educational projects that are fun and that use quality curriculum incorporating the most current research and knowledge available through the land grant university system.

4-H youth:

  • Have fun
  • Meet new people
  • Learn and do new things
  • Gain life skills
  • Build self-confidence
  • Practice responsibility
  • Set and achieve goals
  • Receive recognition for their efforts and accomplishments

Clover Kids (K-3rd grades):

  • Focus on doing
  • Is non-competitive
  • Teaches life skills for grades K-3rd
  • Small groups

Traditional 4-H Clubs (4th-12th grades):

  • Focus on goal setting and working toward goals
  • Participants keep records of their progress toward goals
  • Teaches life skills for grades 4th-12th
  • Larger on-going groups
Document

Financial Assistance Application

Upcoming Deadlines & Events

Mar 1 - Dairy Quiz Bowl, 7-9 pm, Extension Office

Mar 8 - Dairy Quiz Bowl, 7-9 pm, Extension Office

Mar 9 - 4-H Omelet Brunch Set-up, 9 am-noon, Dance Pavilion, Fairgrounds

Mar 10 - 4-H Omelet Brunch Fundraiser, 9 am to 1 pm, Dance Pavilion, Fairgrounds

Mar 14 - YDC Meeting, 7:30 pm, Extension Office

Mar 15 - Dairy Quiz Bowl, 7-9 pm, Extension Office

Mar 17 - '25 Citizenship Meeting, 1:30 pm, Extension Office

Mar 17-23 - Citizenship Trip to Washington DC

Mar 17 - Dairy Judging Workout, 7 pm, Fairgrounds

Mar 22 - Dairy Quiz Bowl, 7-9 pm, Extension Office

Mar 23 - Babysitting Basics/CPR/First Aid, 9 am-3 pm, NFVCC Youth Center, Elgin

Mar 25 - Leader Meeting, 7 pm, Extension Office

Mar 29 - Dairy Quiz Bowl, 7-9 pm, Extension Office

Mar 30 - Swine Weigh-in, 8-10 am, Fairgrounds

 

Babysitting Basics flyer