 4-H Philosophy
4-H is the youth development education program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. 4-H is
committed to assisting youth, and those adults working with them, in acquiring the knowledge, life
skills, and attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, contributing, and productive members
of society. The central theme of 4-H education is "learn by doing."
4-H participants are all youth, age 5 to 19, taking part in programs provided as the result of actions
planned and initiated by Extension personnel in cooperation with volunteers. 4-H is characterized as
being community centered, volunteer led, extension staff supervised, research based, home and family
oriented, publicly and privately funded and responsive to change.
This informal education program is conducted by our state land-grant universities (Virginia Tech and
Virginia State), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. The land-grant university
system consists of teaching, research, and extension education. The Cooperative Extension Service was
established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 for the purpose of serving the needs of people throughout
the state and nation.
Extension 4-H programs are a partnership involving local residents, volunteers, private support, three
levels of government, and universities. 4-H is the only nationwide youth education program that is an
extension of the knowledge resources of a university system.
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4-H Mission
The mission of 4-H is to assist youth, and adults working with those youth, to gain additional
knowledge, life skills, and attitudes that will further their development as self-directing, contributing, and
productive members of society.
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4-H History
Formation of the 4-H Movement
Will B. Otwell, newly elected President of Farm Institute, began organized corn growing contests
for boys in Macoupin County, Illinois, in 1898. Frustrated by the lack of interest by farms in
attending meetings (only one came), he made the decision to ignore parents and concentrate on
farm young people. Writing to corn growers in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana to secure the best,
high-quality corn seed available, he then advertised locally for boys under the age of 19 to send
in for a packet of seed corn. The boys were to raise the corn and then exhibit a sample for
possible prizes at the second Farm Institute that fall. Some 500 boys sent in for the seed and the
exhibits were a success. Some 500 people attended the Institute to see the boys' exhibits. The
prizes offered by Otwell were a one dollar premium for the largest yield of corn.
With the success of this event, Otwell's program continued to grow. By 1901, more than 1,500
boys were enrolled in his corn growing program. These corn growing contests expanded to
numerous states resulting in the development of Corn Clubs for boys.
Albert B. Graham, Superintendent of Schools for Springfield Township, Ohio, began talking with
his students and teachers about the idea of organizing experimental clubs during out-of-school
hours, in 1901. The following year, the first meeting of these clubs began with students focusing
on projects that they could easily understand and finish. Graham had them testing the soil on their
respective farms with litmus paper, selecting top-quality corn seed on family crops for future
planting in test plots, and conducting science projects with a microscope for viewing mild
droplets and other nature projects. This resulted in the organization of boys' and girls' clubs by
Graham in Clark County, Ohio.
By 1907, Graham had demonstrated that young people would join organized clubs that exposed
them to agricultural science and technology. Otwell had demonstrated the value of encouraging
young people with incentives to compete. The merger of these two techniques formed the 4-H
movement.
Involvement of the United States Department of Agriculture
Tomato Canning clubs for girls were first promoted in the early part of the twentieth century by
the United States Department of Agriculture; however, the first club did not organize until 1910.
Marie S. Cromer of Aiken County, South Carolina, organized the first Tomato Canning club with
46 girls each planting a tenth of an acre of tomatoes.
O.H. Benson, hired by USDA to work with youth, presented a talk in 1911 in which he stated
that there should be four H's that stood for head, heart, hands, and hustle (the later having a
different meaning than it does today, it meant "to get with it; to be busy at your work"). During
this same time period, O.B. Marting, USDA Director of boys' and girls' clubs, suggested that an
"H" should be placed on the petal of a four-leaf clover, and that the fourth "H" be changed from
hustle to health. During the same year, the emblem was first used as badges for club members,
as well as on labels of canned produce which the canning club members sold.
In 1914, with passage of the Smith-Lever Act by Congress, the Cooperative Extension Service
was authorized in each state's land-grant college of agriculture. Extension staff were provided
with funds for disseminating useful and practical information on agriculture, home economics,
and related subjects to persons in the local counties. Extension personnel discovered that the
most effective way to reach rural adults was through work with their children. Boys' and Girls'
club work soon became an integral part of Extension's programming.
4-H in Virginia
Work with rural Virginia boys started in 1908 with the first boys corn clubs being organized.
F.S. "Southall" Farrar was hired in October, 1907, and became the first club agent in the state.
He spent the fall months of 1907 and the winter months of 1908 securing the interest and
support of farmers in his group of counties. Starting his demonstrations in the spring 1908, the
decision was made to start efforts in Virginia to support boys' corn clubs. Boys' corn clubs were
organized by Farrar in 1909 with 100 boys in the counties of Dinwiddie (75 boys) and
Chesterfield (25 boys), using the one boy-one acre corn plots. The next year, Ella G. Agnew, the
first home agent in the state, worked with 46 girls in Halifax and Nottoway counties. This work
was done individually, each girl growing 25 tomato plants and canning the fruit. These soon
became known as "girls' canning clubs."
Lizzie A. Jenkins was appointed in May, 1913, at Hampton Institute, to begin demonstration
work with African American families. Her assignment was to organize and conduct canning
programs and organize canning clubs among African American girls in the counties of southeast
Virginia. The first club work with African American boys in the Commonwealth began in 1915 at
a meeting of African American agents at Hampton Institute. Field staff agent Jessie M. Jones
presided at this meeting.
The first community club organized in Virginia was the Sunnyside Club in Dinwiddie County in
1913. In 1918, the policy of organizing boys and girls into the same clubs was supported and
promoted statewide. Between the years 1918-1920, these clubs were know as agriculture and
home economics clubs. Since 1920, however, they have become known as 4-H clubs. Today,
4-H clubs may be found in each of the 107 counties and cities of Virginia.
The first state office for demonstration work was located at Burkeville from 1907-1916. The
headquarters for Extension work was moved to Virginia Tech in 1916 and has been located there
since that time. In 1917, a state club department was added to the Extension organization.
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Symbols and Traditions
As the 4-H program grew through the years, symbols that express the spirit and ideals of the
organization developed.
Motto
The 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better," should be the aim of every 4-H member ,and leader.
Pledge
Every member should know and be able to repeat the 4-H Club pledge:
"I pledge...
My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service and
My Health to better living
For my club, my community, my country, and my world."
In repeating the pledge, members raise their right hands to their foreheads when the say, "my head to
clearer thinking." They lower them to their hearts as they say, "my heart to greater loyalty." At the line,
"my hands to greater service," they extend their hands, palms upward. At the last line, they stand at
attention with their hands at their sides.
4-H Symbol
Head-Mental Development.
Deeper knowledge and
reasoning
Heart-Emotional Development.
Developing interest, appreciation,
and
wholesome attitudes.
Hands-Skills Development.
Ability to do, skill in doing,
and habit of doing.
Health-Physical Development.
Understanding and
appreciating a growing
and changing body.
Colors
The white in the 4-H flag symbolizes purity. The green, nature's most common color, is emblematic of
life, springtime, and youth.
4-H Name and Emblem Regulations and Use
The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected under federal statute Title 18, U.S. Code 707. This statute protects other federal emblems, like the Seal of the President of the United States. Regulations on the use of the 4-H name and emblem state:
Whoever, with intent to defraud, wears or displays the sign or emblem of the 4-H clubs, consisting of a green four-leaf clover with stem, and the letter H in white or gold on each leaflet, or any insignia in colorable imitation thereof, for the purpose of inducing the belief that he is a member of, associated with, or an agent or representative for the 4-H clubs; or
Whoever, whether an individual, partnership, corporation or association, other than the 4-H clubs and those duly authorized by them, the representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture, the land-grant colleges, and persons authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture, uses, within the United States, such emblem or any sign, insignia, or symbol in colorable imitation thereof, or the words "4-H Club" or "4-H Clubs" or any combination of these or other words or characters in colorable imitation thereof --
Shall be fined not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for groups, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
The Using the 4-H Name & Emblem guide is a quick reference handout that discusses many of the important guidelines about appropriate and legal use of the 4-H name & emblem.
Download Official Emblems
Emblem graphics files for many uses - you must have proper authorization from your local 4-H Office to use these emblem graphics.
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What is a Cloverbud?
Cloverbuds are 4-H groups designed for youth ages 5-8 which emphasize parent inolvement and support. Groups are lead by
adult volunteers and focus on hands-on, learning-by-doing curriculum. They are small and conduct non-competitive activities.
Participating members are encouraged to develop and progress at their own speed. Cloverbud groups meet out of school and
as often as deemed necessary by volunteer leaders.
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What is a 4-H Club?
A 4-H Club is an organized group of youngsters (ages 9-19) with elected officers and a planned program that is conducted
throughout the year or the majority of the year. Clubs are lead by volunteer leaders and may focus on one or more project
areas. Club officers conduct monthly organizational meetings. Members also participate in a variety of learning experiences in
their organizational meeting as well as within their project meetings. Project meetings may be held as often as deemed
necessary, but at least once a month.
Club officers, made up of youth members, are elected each year and serve in the various leadership positions at each meeting.
The officers conduct the meeting using parliamentary procedures.
4-H clubs may meet as neighborhood clubs, as after school clubs, or as within school clubs. The "key" is that all clubs
should have officers, be managed by volunteers, meet over a sustained period of time, and are focused on positive youth
development.
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4-H Enrichment Program
Youth involved in 4-H Enrichment Programs (ages 9-19) are participants in learning experiences not involving organized club
activites. Enrichment programs may be coordinated with school personnel serving as volunteer teachers of 4-H curricula
meeting the standards of learning; may be a special interest group in which youth complete six or more learning activities, may
be youth involved in 4-H instructional TV experiences; or may be a member participating in 4-H under the guidance of a
parent or other adult as a lone member without group affiliation.
The purposes of enrichment programs are to teach youth subject matter in a short time frame, expose new youth to 4-H, and
to involve those youth in 4-H for further programming opportunities--moving them toward club participation.
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What Happens After I Enroll?
1.Learn the 4-H Pledge.
2.Learn the 4-H Motto.
3.Learn the 4-H Colors.
4.Learn what the 4-H Emblem means.
5.Learn the National 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 diginity 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.
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What About Me, the Interested Adult?
4-H works with volunteers to involve youth and children in an educational learning experience that results in effective learning
for each individual. The four H's each represent an area of learning.
How Does 4-H Accomplish This?
4-H utilizes the learning-by-doing concept of experiential education. We put the focus on the learner and enable her/him to
progress through several stages.
- We believe that if youth set goals, plan, and work toward those goals, they learn decision making.
- We believe that if youth run clubs as group members, as officers, and/or committee members, they learn leadership.
- We believe that if youth are involved with significant others and their peers, they learn caring.
- We believe that if youth conduct community activities, they learn citizenship.
- We believe that if youth become involved in a project, they learn facts and gain knowledge toward careers.
- We believe that if youth learn these life work skills and practice through giving talks, they learn presentation skills.
- Finally, we believe that through experiential learning, youth become involved in many activities and events, and they
learn to evaluate, determine what was useful or important to remember, and use this information to perform another
activity.
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How Do I Participate in 4-H as an Adult?
To explore how you can be part of 4-H, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office
or complete our on-line 4-H interest form. If you are not a resident of
Virginia, contact the Cooperative Extension office in your county.
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4-H Statistical Profiles
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Meet the State Staff
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