What is 4-H?

• 4-H is a volunteer-led, informal educational program that supplements the teachings of home and school.
• 4-H clubs are for male and female youth who live in town, the city, the country or on the farm.
• 4-H youth have fun and learn with their friends and families.

The basic philosophy of 4-H is to strengthen the mental, physical, moral and social development of youth, thereby helping them to develop into competent, committed and self-assured adults. The main objective is the development of youth through participation in projects, events and various activities.

4-H is intended to supplement, not replace, other learning experiences young people may have through other experiences.

4-H work began around 1900 as a means of reaching parents with improved farm and home practices. 4-H was based upon the assumption that if new ideas were instilled in the minds of youngsters, those ideas would in turn convince parents to try new innovations.

4-H was also developed because schools were not always meeting the needs and interests of rural youth. The first organized 4-H Clubs were small groups covering a single topic--corn production and canning of tomatoes.

The original objectives were to teach improved practices to farmers and homemakers through their children. Then came World War I and the "food for victory" theme. Following the war, the "keep the people on the farm" objective was foremost in people’s minds. Again during World War II, food production was emphasized.

Today, the objective of 4-H is the development of youth, providing a wide variety of learning opportunities in which all youth can participate. 4-H is for all youth, whether they live in the city or in the country.

4-H helps young people develop life skills. A life skill is an ability that one can use through a lifetime. All education through the Colorado 4-H Program is focused on teaching five life skills:

• Foster positive self-concept
• Develop an inquiring mind
• Learn decision making and responsibility for choices
• Develop public speaking and presentation skills
• Relate to self and others
• Acquire a concern for community --local and global

• The 4-H member is more important than the project.
• Project work is one of the best devices for developing young people.
• "Learn By Doing" is fundamental to education and is characteristic of the 4-H program.
• 4-H’ers should be their own best exhibit. This statement means in manners, attitudes, and courtesy, as well as appropriate dress and physical appearance.
• Competition is a part of life. Competition in 4-H should be based on an educational experience. Competition requires careful planning and safeguards.
• No 4-H award is worth sacrificing the reputation of a 4-H member or leaders.
• A blue ribbon 4-H’er with a red ribbon exhibit is more desirable than a red ribbon 4-H’er with a blue ribbon exhibit.
• Every 4-H member needs to be noticed, feel important, achieve some degree of success, and be praised.
• The goal of 4-H leaders and staff is to teach 4-H members how to think, not what to think.

4-H Vision

The 4-H Youth Development Program is a world leader in developing young people’s ability to become productive citizens and catalysts for positive change to meet the needs of a diverse and changing society.

Through 4-H Youth Development education, youth will

• Practice effective problem-solving and decision making skills,
• Practice responsible health behavior,
• Be environmental stewards,
• Possess positive work attitudes and skills,
• Value diversity,
• Have a strong sense of community and social responsibility,
• Contribute to positive relationships with families, peers, and community,
• Demonstrate communication and leadership skills,
• Value lifelong learning,
• Feel the personal pride that comes with mastery, and
• Feel valued and utilized as a resource in the community.

The mission of the 4-H Youth Development program is "to create safe, supportive environments in which diverse youth and adults can reach their fullest potential."

4-H members "learn by doing." Young people, with guidance from adults, learn useful skills and how to live with people and serve their community and country by practicing these skills in real-life situations.

4-H members learn by taking part in:

• Recreation. 4-H’ers learn to enjoy life, themselves, and association with others in social activities. Recreation is a wonderful way to teach leadership skills as well.
• Project Work. Project work helps members gain knowledge and skills and learn to take responsibility. By doing project work at home, members can develop a feeling of partnership with their parents.
• Presentations. 4-H members show and tell others how to do things they learn. This process is called giving a presentation, and a youth takes his first step to helping others and developing leadership as well as public speaking skill
• Record Keeping. 4-H members learn record keeping skills by making timely entries in a project record book. A story of what they have done in each project and in their club is also included. Keeping records helps members evaluate their 4-H learning and develop business skills.
• County Contests. 4-H members taking part in contests may receive an award for their efforts, but they learn cooperative and competitive skills as well as the standards of excellence.

Weld County offers the following team contests:

• Creative Cooks,
• 4H Athletics,
• Shooting Sports Education,
• Horse Judging,
• Livestock Judging,
• Dairy Judging, and
• Speech and Demonstrations

Individual contests offered include:

• Cake Decorating,
• Creative Cooks,
• Fashion Revue,
• Public Speaking,
• Record Books,
• Livestock Showmanship, and
• Speech and Demonstrations

• Exhibits. Members may exhibit their project results at club meetings, county fair, or any other public gathering. Exhibiting 4-H projects shows others what 4-H’ers are doing, helps members find where they can improve their work, and gives members a sense of pride and accomplishment.

• 4-H Day Camps. Many 4-H members attend camp. They take part in educational and recreational experiences as they learn more about nature and interact with people.

• 4-H Junior Leaders. For older 4-H members, the Junior Leader Program is available to help youth develop leadership skills, promote 4-H work to others, and encourage members to become resources to other youth.

• Recognition and Awards. 4-H’ers are recognized and rewarded for their accomplishments. Rewards range from acceptance by peers and leaders to trips and scholarships. Cooperative and competitive skills are recognized.

• 4-H Club. 4-H members learn how to use parliamentary procedure by conducting meetings, the value of committees to accomplish work, and cooperative skills through social interaction with club members.

The Weld County 4-H program is committed to youth protection. As a result, all individuals interested in becoming a 4-H leader must successfully complete the following requirements:

1. Fill out an enrollment form with the 4-H club of which you want to be a leader.
2. Fill out an application form which can be picked up at the Extension Office.
3. Send out reference letters to three people whom you have known for at least two years. No relatives are accepted. These people should be able to comment on your character as it relates to working with youth. The Extension Office needs three positive references for all new 4-H leaders.
4. Attend and complete the New Leader Orientation (NLO) session offered by Weld County 4-H agents, and fill out appropriate paperwork. If a person cannot attend one of the three training held in Weld County, contact the Extension Office for training dates in other Front Range region counties.
5. Undergo a criminal background check to help assure the highest character of our volunteers.

When you begin working with the 4-H members, remember that youth (and people of all ages really) have five basic needs.

1. Security and Belonging – The desire to belong is natural and helps bring youth in contact with each other.
2. Affection – Youth need to know they are wanted and loved in spite of their shortcomings.
3. New Experiences– Young people need and want to grow up to be active.
4. Power!– Youth need to be able to master new things and to do something well.
5. Recognition– Youth seek status in a group. They need to know that others accept and approve of their work.

How do I get involved in 4-H?

Contact the Weld County 4-H Youth development program at:
Colorado State University Extension, Weld County
525 N. 15th Ave.
Greeley, CO; 80631

Phone: 970.304.6535
Fax: 970.351.0415
Office hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

The information and links in this page are maintained by the Weld County Extension Office. If you have questions concerning this material or questions of a general nature or management of this page, please e-mail to weld@coop.ext.colostate.edu or phone at (970) 356-4000 Ext 2065.

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