4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. It's about young people making new friends and memories while preparing to be future leaders - from both rural and urban areas! It is a voluntary, informal education program for young people ages 9 through 18.
4-H is America's largest out-of-school education program for boys and girls. It is a program available in every state and many countries.
4-H is youth development. It is people sharing, learning, growing and becoming the best they can be.
4-H is life skills. Through real-life situations, 4-H helps youth develop life skills - communication, citizenship, decision-making, leadership, building relationships with caring adults and community awareness. Youth learn these practical skills through hundreds of projects like wildlife, nutrition, sewing, crafts, wood shop, electricity, computers, science, and many more.
4-H is one of a kind! It provides learning experiences in which youth, with help from parents, interested adults and older youth leaders, grow personally as they develop skills for living. Skills learned through 4-H help youth become better members of their families, communities and world. 4-H participants explore careers and positive leisure-time activities. The 4-H Youth Development program creates an educational environment for positive development of culturally-diverse youth that enables them to reach their fullest potential. 4-H accomplishes its mission through non-informal education.
4-H is family and community-oriented. Parents play a critical role in volunteering with the program to support their children. Work on projects takes place at home, in the yard or around the kitchen table, with guidance from a parent, an older brother or sister, or a neighbor. The 4-H member needs the support and encouragement of a family and growing together through 4-H strengthens the family. 4-H members devote time to community service in a wide variety of projects, ranging from helping the elderly and disabled, to restoring historic sites, to landscaping public buildings to helping preserve their environment.
4-H is open to all. 4-H happens everywhere. It is in the city, suburbs and small towns, on farms and ranches. The 4-H program is open to all who wish to participate without regard to race, creed, gender, marital status, handicaps or disadvantages, economic or ethnic backgrounds.
4-H is flexible. Hundreds of projects and activities provide opportunities for all youth regardless of location, race or economic situation. Project and program requirements can be modified to meet needs and interests.
Today, 4-H involves young people - from the city, from the suburbs, from rural areas, from the farm, and everything in between. 4-H alumni speak with pride about their experience in 4-H - telling how much they gained from making presentations, record keeping, developing leadership, communication skills, practicing the responsibility of citizenship and meeting lifelong friends.
Why do young people like 4-H?
4-H provides a chance to learn new things, develop new skills, travel to new places, experience new situations, make new friends and most importantly have lots of fun.
What do kids do in 4-H?
It’s up to you. You can go to camp, learn to shop wisely, give a demonstration, grow vegetables, hatch an egg, make bread, shadow an adult at work, choose to eat healthy foods, give a speech, cure a ham, or conquer an obstacle course. You can perform in a skit, make a birdhouse, start a business, shear sheep, take pictures, learn about electricity, barbeque chicken, or drive a tractor. You can decorate a room, ride a bike, learn to sew, raise an animal, or protect the environment.
And there’s more! In 4-H, you will work with other young people toward common goals and, if you wish, teaching younger kids. You can build your 4-H activities around your own talents and interests.
Why does 4-H vary from county to county?
Each county in Minnesota has different needs. Local citizens help to identify program initiatives, and Minnesota 4-H staff provides focus, curriculum, and materials to help address those local needs.
Who conducts 4-H?
The Minnesota 4-H program is conducted by the University of Minnesota and its Extension department. County and state programs are directed by Extension staff that educate and support volunteers who work directly with 4-H members. Extension offices are located in almost every county in Minnesota. A county Extension Committee comprised of local residents serves as advisors to Extension staff to coordinate, organize, and plan programming in the unit.
Adult volunteers are also responsible for conducting local 4-H programming, including club meeting experiences, project workshops, and much more.
Who funds 4-H?
University of Minnesota Extension receives funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the state of Minnesota, and local county boards. A variety of private donors also fund Extension.
The Waseca County 4-H program is funded mainly by fundraisers including a market livestock auction and operation of a food stand, both during the county fair. Many local businesses, organizations, and individuals generously support Waseca County 4-H through monetary donations. 4-H Clubs in the county acquire their funds through small membership dues, fundraisers, and donations.
Isn’t 4-H just for farm kids?
No! 4-H is for all young people, regardless of where they live, what their backgrounds are or what interests them. Today in Kentucky, lots of 4-H members are from urban and suburban areas and are learning about and participating in many different 4-H project and activities.
Do you have to own an animal to be in 4-H?
No, there are many non-livestock 4-H projects and activities.
What will my child have to do to “join” 4-H?
To join 4-H, an enrollment form is required. These vary county to county, so contact the Waseca County Extension Office via phone (507-835-0600) or email (mnext-waseca@umn.edu) to receive the current enrollment form. Waseca County, like all counties in Minnesota, require that 4-H youth re-enroll each year.
How does my child join a 4-H club?
Information on club meeting times and locations can be requested from the Waseca County Extension Office. The handout with this information will also include contact information for the adult volunteers who lead the club. You can contact the leader to find out when and where their next meeting is. If you have requested an information packet on 4-H from the Waseca County Extension Office, they have also notified clubs in your area that you are interested in joining 4-H, and they may contact you to invite you to their next meeting.
What does it cost to join?
Waseca County 4-H has no membership fees or required uniforms. Clubs, do however, typically collect dues from each member (usually under $5 a member). There is a minimal charge for project manuals and some 4-H activities or events. However, if financial hardship is an issue, the Waseca County 4-H program can help cover costs of activities and events.
How do I learn more once my child joins?
Waseca County 4-H has a monthly newsletter that contains information on upcoming 4-H events and activities that your child can participate in. Once you turn in an enrollment form to the Waseca County Extension Office, you will begin receiving the newsletter.
What is the 4-H club experience like?
4-H clubs determine meeting numbers and amount of time themselves. On average, clubs meet monthly for 1-2 hours each time. 4-H clubs usually participate in different activities during the meeting, including a business meeting, special interest programs, and recreation or social activities. Clubs will often complete community service projects at meeting times also. Clubs may have a little business to conduct, may work on their projects for a while, and then play a game or two. Sometimes the whole meeting is devoted to one topic or recreation. Some clubs also do project activities where they learn about and do activities related to a 4-H project.
What are 4-H projects?
4-H projects are challenging, but practical, planned courses of study with learning experiences centered on a specific subject. Hands-on, learn-by-doing involvement is the most important aspect of a project. Most projects have manuals or project books that assist the 4-H member in the completion of the project. These manuals are age appropriate and can be tailored to meet younger or older expectations. The project manual can be used by the family in learning fundamental skills and/or obtaining critical knowledge pertaining to the project.
Projects vary in length to completion. Some 4-H projects produce a tangible product upon completion. Most projects can be entered in the county fair as exhibits. County fair exhibits must be completed within that program year since the previous fair.
How does my child DO a 4-H project?
Most often, 4-H member work on projects at home with parents, siblings and other family or community members who can help them with their project. Waseca County 4-H offers project activities to learn about and complete a 4-H project.
Depending on the specific project there may be a project club to join. Project groups may meet throughout the year to work on a specific project depending on the time of year and the event surrounding the project (i.e. sewing). Waseca County 4-H is looking for adult volunteers who are willing to take the leadership of coordinating project clubs.
Should 4-H members do their own work?
Yes, with help. Members are expected to select at least one project and complete one or more learning experiences related to the project during the year. 4-H is a "learn by doing" program. Leaders, junior leaders, and parents may tell or show members how, but members are expected to learn to do things themselves.
Are projects done individually or as a group?
Both. It varies among projects and among clubs. Some projects, like breads or visual arts, are more fun done as a group. Others, like making a dress or growing a garden, can be done individually. Some clubs have several project leaders and do specific project work at club meetings while others rely on parents and others to help members individually.
What does a 4-H project cost?
It varies. Members are responsible for the cost of supplies for projects. Some projects might use supplies from around the house while others might invest hundreds of dollars in their project. The cost of the project should be realistic to the family situation.
What is an exhibit?
An exhibit is an object or display designed to show something that the members have accomplished. Ideally it motivates members to learn and to have fun in a 4-H project. An exhibit is not an end in itself nor does it measure all the learning that takes place in a project. Self-recognition and self-satisfaction for having completed a project are important rewards. A ribbon is only one measure of success.
What is involved in exhibiting a fair project?
The middle of May, the Extension Office will send out “County Fair Registration Forms” and a County Fair 4-H Premium Book to each family enrolled in 4-H. There are codes for each project in the Premium Book, so you look to see what rules and requirements there are for each exhibit you want to bring and enter the proper code on your Registration Form. The registration forms are due back to the County Extension Office by June 15th at 4:30 pm.
- Livestock Projects - If you are showing livestock, you would house your animal at the fair during fair week and are responsible for keeping your animal and area in the barn clean. Members work with other members of the club to keep their club’s area clean and presentable to the public. Each livestock area also has their own show that is held during the county fair, so you will get to show your animal off to the judge and receive a ribbon. And don’t forget showmanship! That is the most important part of exhibiting an animal – the showmanship class is judged on how much you know about your animal and how well you show it. This is a fantastic opportunity for growth and learning and should not be overlooked. On Wednesday of fair week, you would also complete a “Livestock Interview” which gives you the chance to visit with a knowledgeable adult and share your knowledge of your livestock project with him or her. More details about exhibiting at the County Fair are provided in the spring and summer. Be sure you read your 4-H Newsletter and talk to the Livestock Superintendent’s (people in charge of a livestock project area) for more information.
- Non-Livestock Projects – If you are bringing a non-livestock exhibit/s to the fair, you bring them to the 4-H Building the Tuesday of fair week (between 10 am and 4 pm) and talk to a judge about your project. The judges, who are caring and knowledgeable adults, will ask you questions and give you advice on how you can learn more and grow more in your project. You will receive a ribbon for your projects. The projects stay at the fair during the whole week in the 4-H Building. If you win a champion or reserve champion award you come to an Awards Ceremony of Sunday during the fair to receive special recognition. More details about exhibiting at the County Fair are provided in the spring and summer. Be sure you read your 4-H Newsletter and talk to your club leaders and other members in your club for more information.
The Minnesota 4-H program awards ribbons based on the Danish System. This means that in each 4-H competition, 4-H members are graded based on set standards. All exhibits, presentations, etc. receive a ribbon based on where they fall on the standard scale. More than one color of a ribbon may be awarded in a category or area. In other words, several 4-H members may receive blue ribbons within the same category. The ribbon colors awarded are purple, blue, red and white. The blue, red and white ribbons do not designate first, second and third. They represent the level of achievement.
Blue ribbons are awarded to 4-H’ers who exhibit outstanding work in the area or presentation by mastering a skill, increasing their knowledge and/or showing pride in workmanship and quality based on their age level.
Red ribbons are awarded to 4-H’ers whose project or exhibition is not as polished as those of the blue level. The 4-H’er may have learned a skill but not yet mastered it completely. Information may not be complete or accurate.
White ribbons are awarded to 4-H’ers whose project(s) may be incomplete or lacking in mastery of the skill.
Purple ribbons are awarded to denote the champion in a presentation or exhibit. The purple or champion ribbon is awarded to the one 4-H’er whose skills, knowledge or mastery has surpassed all others in the category/division.
Some events award green or participation ribbons to all participants. This is usually done for Cloverbuds (youth in grades K-2nd) level where competition is not developmentally appropriate and is highly discouraged.
What is expected of parents?
Children need parental encouragement to get them started in 4-H and to keep them involved in the program in later years. Parents can help by:
- Sharing - provide encouragement and take interest in 4-H projects and activities. Listen, look, and offer suggestions, but avoid the temptation to "take over" and do things. Children learn by their mistakes as well as successes.
- Preparing - assist by helping children understand the value of doing projects, having duties in the club, and following through on responsibilities as expected by others.
- Being there - Children gain more from 4-H by attending meetings regularly and getting involved in 4-H activities. Parents are welcome at meetings and are encouraged to stay and observe. Lend a hand whenever possible. However, remember that 4-H clubs are for kids.
- Caring - arrange to participate whenever possible. Parents' presence shows the child that what he or she is doing is very important.
4-H is a family program. As a parent, your role will be to support, encourage, praise and assist (without doing it for them). Assisting your 4-H’er in selecting the appropriate projects is the first step in assuring a successful 4-H experience. Parents are encouraged to take a leadership role in the 4-H program by offering expertise in a certain area, serving as a volunteer leader and/or serving as a resource. 4-H’ers will benefit at a higher level when the family takes an active role in the program.
What are 4-H Cloverbuds?
4-H Cloverbuds is a program designed for youth and their families to explore the 4-H program through activities tailored specifically for their ages and developmental stages. The primary purpose of the U of MN Extension 4-H Cloverbud program is to support the positive development of children as they explore the world, discover possibilities, build self-esteem, and practice the basic social skills which will be the basis for a future where they will become competent, caring and contributing citizens.
Youth in grades K-2nd will join 4-H and choose to join one of the same clubs that an older youth would join. The youth will automatically be considered a Cloverbud. At 3rd grade, Cloverbuds will become a regular 4-H member. However, they may choose to stay in Cloverbuds until they start 4th grade, abiding by Cloverbud policy until they begin as regular 4-H members. The 4-H Clubs in Waseca County welcome their Cloverbud members - some have activities at their meetings specifically designed for the Cloverbud youth. Cloverbuds are also encouraged to become active on the county level and participate in the monthly county-wide Cloverbud activities and Saturday Morning Adventure programs.
I still have questions. Whom can i contact?
Waseca County 4-H Staff is happy to answer any questions you have about 4-H.
- Stop in – The Extension Office is located in the former Public Health building on the county fairgrounds. Our address is 900 3rd St NE in Waseca.
- Call – Our phone number is 507-835-0600
- Email – The general email address for Waseca County Extension is mnext-waseca@umn.edu.
Cheryl Clevenger is Extension’s Support Staff and can be reached at cleve065@umn.edu.
Amy Nelson is the Waseca County 4-H Program Coordinator and can be reached at dobbe007@umn.edu.
The Rochester Regional Extension Office can also answer 4-H related questions at 507-280-2863 or 888-241-4536. Sue Nielsen is the Regional Support Staff – her email is niels204@umn.edu. Sharon Davis is the Extension Educator for 4-H and oversees programming in five counties. Her email is davis051@umn.edu.
This FAQ guide was adapted from http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/4h/parents/faqs/index.htm
by Amy (Dobberstein) Nelson, Waseca County 4-H Program Coordinator – September 2009.
The University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity employer and educator.
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