Mission
4-H IS THE ONLY FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATION. IT IS ALSO THE LARGEST YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY. IT IS A VOLUNTEER-LED ORGANIZATION THAT REACHES YOUTH THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS. 4-H PROVIDES FUN, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT THE LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS. 4-H PROGRAMS ARE HANDS-ON, AGE-APPROPRIATE, AND UNIVERSITY-BASED. 4-H HELPS YOUTH IMPROVE THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE; LEARN SUBJECT MATTER; AND DEVELOP IMPORTANT SKILLS INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, CITIZENSHIP, COMMUNICATION, AND DECISION-MAKING THAT CAN BE APPLIED OVER A LIFETIME. FOR OLDER TEENS, 4-H ALSO OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP AND TEST THEIR LEADERSHIP SKILLS AS 4-H VOLUNTEERS AND WORKING WITH YOUTH. FOR ADULTS, 4-H OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING IN A VARIETY OF AREAS INCLUDING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, INSTRUCTION, AND MORE.