4-H
The 4-H program in the United States is a youth organization administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative Extension System with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development."
The program is reportedly the largest school youth program in the U.S., with over 7 million members and 500,000 teen and adult volunteers.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning citizenship, leadership, and life skills. Programming within 4-H is focused within three expansive mission mandates: Science, Engineering, and Technology (4-H SET), Citizenship, and Healthy Living. The overall 4-H program goals are to educate youth in arts and sciences, and to encourage fellowship and service opportunities. 4-H presently offers learning experiences in more than 200 subject matter areas, including health, family life, photography, aerospace science, bicycles, natural resources, safety, horticulture and nutrition.
Though historical interaction between Alpha Phi Omega and 4-H has been limited, the focus of the 4-H program upon leadership, fellowship and service make it a logical match for the youth service focus of Alpha Phi Omega.
In 2008, 4-H established a new national initiative, 4-H National Youth Science Day, targeted to help build America's future science, engineering, and technology workforce through attracting youth to 4-H science, engineering, and technology programs. Held in October during National 4-H week, 4-H National Youth Science Day centers around group participation in the National Science Experiment. To encourage participation of classrooms, clubs and groups in this initiative, 4-H provides information and program materials through the 4-H National Youth Science Day website.
For additional information to assist your chapter in developing and expanding its interaction with 4-H, check out the following:
- 4-H Fact Sheet – This document has been assembled by the National Scouting and Youth Services Committee to assist chapters with their interaction with 4-H. It details basic information on the 4-H program history, activities, etc. that would be useful for a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega interested in becoming involved.
- 4-H “Front Door” Website – Visit this youth-oriented website to learn of current activities within the overall 4-H program and for portal access to the various programs and groups active within the 4-H organizations.
- 4-H National Headquarters Official Website – Visit the 4-H National Headquarters official website for links to additional information on 4-H and for further news and activities of the organization on a national level.
- Volunteering with 4-H – Visit this website to learn how to get involved as a volunteer with 4-H and to access resources for volunteers.
- 4-H State Contact Information – Use this link to assist in locating 4-H in your area. Additional contact information can be found through the National 4-H Council Website.
- National Collegiate 4-H Organization - Many colleges and universities host Collegiate 4-H clubs. Collegiate 4-H is an organization that provides its members with a sense of identity on campus, enriches their lives through group projects and recreation, and develops confidence and leadership skills. Collegiate 4-H clubs provide service and support to their local and state 4-H programs and provide an excellent partnership opportunity for Alpha Phi Omega chapters to interact with 4-H youth in their communities. Use this link to learn more about the National Collegiate 4-H Organization and to find out if there is a club on your campus.
