The University of Arizona

About 4-H

4-H is for all youth, ages 5-19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. Kids 5-8 join Cloverbuds – a non-competitive, fun introduction to the many projects available through 4-H. Youth ages 9-19 participate in 4-H by enrolling in projects and joining a club. To get involved in 4-H in your area, contact your local UA County Extension office by clicking on the map to the left on this page.

In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities. Arizona 4-H builds upon a century of experience as it fosters positive youth development that is based on the needs and strengths of youth, their families and communities. Youth have the opportunity to participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a young person's sense of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery.

More than 9,000 Arizona youth are enrolled members of 4-H community clubs in Arizona. They are supported by more than 2,000 adult volunteer leaders. Another 184,000 Arizona youth get involved in 4-H through special educational opportunities

4-H gives them a chance to pursue their own interests – from photography to computers, from building rockets to raising sheep or rabbits. A comprehensive list of 4-H projects is available online at: http://extension.arizona.edu/4h. Arizona 4-H youth also go places – to camp, to state and national conferences and even on international cultural immersion exchanges. They learn to be leaders, active citizens and citizen scientists. In 4-H clubs, they serve as officers and learn to conduct meetings, handle club funds, and facilitate group decision-making. In a growing number of communities, 4-H youth serve as youth representatives in municipal or county government or as members of Teen Courts. They give back to their communities. 4-H members are involved in volunteer projects to protect the environment, mentor younger children and help people who are less fortunate.

4-H provides today's young people with that extra edge for life success through hands-on, research-based educational programs and opportunities. Find out more and learn how you can support the next generation of leaders by visiting our website listed above, or find us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

4-H Mission:

The University of Arizona 4-H Youth Development Program provides quality youth education by building positive relationships and life skills. We develop competent, caring and actively engaged citizens who strengthen Arizona communities.

4-H Basics

4-H Pledge

I pledge:

  • My HEAD Image of a person's headto clearer thinking
  • My HEART Image of a heartto greater loyalty,
  • My HANDS Image of a handto larger service, and
  • My HEALTH Image of an apple, representing healthfor better living,

For my club, my community, my country, and my worldImage of a globe.

Image showing the hand and arm motions used in reciting the 4-H PledgeIn reciting the pledge, a member raises the right hand to the right side of the head when speaking line one; lowers the hand to the heart when speaking line two; and extends hands, palms upward, when speaking line three; and brings hands and arms down the sides of the body to rest when speaking the rest of the pledge.

The 4-H Motto

"To Make the Best Better!" The motto proposed by Carrie Harrison, a botanist with the U.S. Bureau of Plant Industry, was officially adopted in 1927 when the 4-H Pledge was introduced.

The 4-H Slogan

"Learning by Doing" – this is the educational philosophy of the 4-H program. Since young people learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process, 4-H projects are designed to provide "hands-on" experience that is reinforced through group discussion and application - "do - reflect - apply."

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,to plan and to reason.

I believe in the training of my HEART for the nobleness it will give me to become kind, sympathetic, and true.

I believe in the training of my HANDS for the ability it will give me to be helpful, useful and skillful.

I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to 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 I am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment.

4-H Emblem

4-H Clover EmblemThe green four-leaf clover with the white letter "H" in each leaf is the National 4-H Emblem. The design, attributed to L.H. Benson, an Iowa school superintendent, was adopted as the national emblem in 1911. Once enrolled as a 4-H volunteer leader, you are authorized by your local Extension office to use the 4-H name and emblem. The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected under federal statute (Title 18, USC 707) and may only be used in accordance with statute requirements. Only use an official emblem graphic obtained from an authorized 4-H source which includes the language "18 USC 707" to the right of the stem. Your Extension office can provide camera ready or electronic versions of the clover for your use. Text or graphics should never cross the clover emblem.

Green and white are the 4-H colors. Green is nature's most common color and symbolizes youth, life, and growth. White stands for purity and high ideals.

4-H: How It All Began - Over 100 Years Ago

In the early years, most clubs were organized through schools, with teachers serving as leaders. Nationally, the beginning of 4-H dates back to 1902, when A.B. Graham organized the first 4-H club in the basement of the Clark County Courthouse in Springfield Township, Ohio. The first 4-H club in Arizona was organized as the Boys Cotton club in Chandler by George Peabody in 1913.

After the passage of the U.S. Smith Lever Act in 1914, 12 cotton, corn, and grain sorghum 4-H clubs were formed in Arizona. Canning, swine, and poultry clubs were organized in 1915 by Leland Park. He became the first employee to devote full time to clubs for boys and girls.

The 4-H pledge was written by Kansas 4-H leader Otis hall and was adopted during the first national 4-H Club Camp in Washington, D.C. in 1927. Boys' and girls' clubs became known as "4-H Clubs" in the early 1930s. 4-H was originally designed not only to educate youth, but also so that these young men and women would bring information home to their parents.

You can learn more about 4-H history with this 4-H timeline. You can also visit the Arizona 4-H Foundation Website that includes historic 4-H photographs.