What is 4-H?
The Tulare County 4-H Youth Development Program supports youth ages 5-18 in hands-on projects with areas of focus in science, healthy living, shooting sports, animals, communication and arts, and much more. The "4-H" represents four values: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, which guide the program's mission in assisting youth with reaching their fullest potential.
Using an experiential educational model, 4-H helps youth develop essential skills that they will use throughout their lives, such as identifying and nurturing interests, desiring knowledge, setting goals, self-reflection, adapting to new situations, communicating, and responding to the needs of others.
Enrollment Eligibility
All 4-H youth (ages 5-18) must enroll annually (July 1 through June 30). Enrollment is conducted by the 4-H Club and County 4-H Office. Projects offered vary by club from year to year based upon adult volunteer availability. Enrollment for the 4-H Youth Development Program in Tulare County will be conducted using ZSuite, a web-based system used to enroll youth and accept applications for adults in the California 4-H Youth Development Program.
Primary Members (also called Cloverbuds or Mini-members) – Must be 5 years old by December 31 of the program year. Primary members cannot enroll in large animal projects. Youth enrolling or turning nine after December 31 must participate as a Primary Member until the end of the program year (June 30). The cost per year per youth member in Tulare County is $40.
4-H Members – Must be 9 years old by December 31 of the program year and may continue in the program until the end of the calendar year (December 31) in which they become 19 years of age. The cost per year per youth member in Tulare County is $40.
4-H Adult Volunteers – An individual must be eighteen (18) years or older to become a 4-H adult volunteer. A 4-H adult volunteer cannot simultaneously be a 4-H member. Chaperone duties may be assigned to 4-H adult volunteers upon approval of the 4-H YDP staff. A chaperone is a 4-H adult volunteer at least twenty-one (21) years of age. He or she has the responsibility of a delegation of youth at a 4-H YDP event or activity. The event usually lasts more than twenty-four (24) hours with an overnight stay and often involves travel. Tulare County 4-H covers the cost for adult volunteers each year, so it is free to volunteer! Volunteer's must complete an interest form, training, and a live scan background check in order to be an active volunteer.
How 4-H Clubs and Projects Work
The first step is to select a club in Tulare County to attach to, the club list can be found here.
The next step is to contact the club leaders and find out what projects are offered within that club that your youth may be interested in. Examples of projects include but are not limited to: gardening, cooking, food preservation, livestock, small animals, shooting sports, photography, scrapbooking, and clothing. Note that you can be involved with one club but also enroll in projects from other clubs if your primary club does not offer certain projects of interest.
Once project plans are complete, the county office staff will update Zsuites to reflect available projects per club. Members can then enroll in projects and start attending project meetings as the project leaders will be reaching out to all enrolled members on meetings and events. 4-H projects should be chosen based on interests, time available, family situation, residence, and availability of necessary tools and equipment. The project leader will develop and implement a project plan where members may design individual projects or work together on approved projects while also gaining the knowledge and skills of the topic.
Project meetings have a minimum requirement of 6 hours annually; however, some projects utilize more time throughout the year than the minimum requirement. The project leader will inform members and families of when meetings will occur.
If there are any questions, the 4-H county office staff is here to help! Call us at 559-684-3300 Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
4-H Pledge
As a true 4-H member, I pledge:
My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service,
My Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
Spanish:
Prometo usar mi mente para pensar con más claridad,
mi corazón para ser más leal,
mis manos para ser más servicial,
mi salud para cuidarme más,
por mi club, mi comunidad, mi país y mi mundo.
Translated by Dr. Lisa Lauxman, National 4-H Foundation
4-H Name and Emblem
The 4-H Emblem is the national symbol of Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The official emblem is a green clover with white H's - the 4-H colors. The 4-H emblem symbolizes the aim and desired results of effective learning for each individual. The 4-H name should be displayed as "4-H" and youth in 4-H can be referred to as "4-H'ers," (not"4-Hers" or "4hers").
4-H Motto
"To Make the Best Better"
The Future of 4-H
California 4-H Strategic Plan 2023-28
The CA 4-H Strategic Plan 2023-2028 focuses on three interconnected themes to advance California 4-H towards high quality, equitable youth development programming and applied research over the next five years.
The three themes are:
- Strengthen access, equity and belonging in 4-H programs.
- Increase opportunities for meaningful youth engagement in high quality 4-H programs aligned with the 4-H Thriving Model of Positive Youth Development.
- Advance youth development research and extension.
The following areas were identified to support advancing the three themes:
- Grow financial stability.
- Improve communication and brand awareness.
- Reimagine volunteer management.
- Streamline administrative procedures.
Experiential Learning Model
In 4-H programs, youth serve in leadership roles where they set goals, develop plans, complete projects, and reflect on their experiences. Youth are encouraged to discover their passions, adopt a growth mindset, practice self-reflection and set goals. 4-H projects and programs are focused around civic engagement, healthy living, and STEAM.
Resource: 4-H Handbook for Families