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

Nov 18 - 4-H Awards Recognition/Movie, 10 am, Sumner Theater

Nov 18 - County 4-H Council Meeting, 1-3 pm, United Methodist Church, Sumner

Nov 22-24 - Holiday - Extension Office closed

Nov 26 - Fairboard Breakfast Fundraiser, 8 am-noon, Dance Pavilion

Nov 29 - Registration due for Sweet Sensations Project Workshop
 

Dec 1 - Re-Enrollments due to receive $35 fee incentive

Dec 2 - Sweet Sensations Project Workshop, 9:30-Noon, Extension Office

Dec 9 -  4-H & FFA Market Beef Weigh-in (county animals), 8-10 am, Fairgrounds

Dec 9 - 4-H & FFA Market Beef Weigh-in (State Fair animals), 10 am-noon, Fairgrounds

Dec 9 - YQCA Training, 2-3 pm, Extension Office

Dec 25-27 - Holiday - Extension Office closed

Dec 28 - County Council Holiday Celebration, 1-3 pm, Extension Office

Jan 1 - Holiday - Extension Office closed