4-H is a Community for all Kids
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. As early as 1912, the University of California encouraged the formation of boys' and girls' agricultural clubs in rural areas and collaborated with school districts to organize them. In 1913, the forerunner of 4-H was founded in California- an agricultural club at the College of Agriculture in Davis. By 1914, 84 high school agricultural clubs were reported in California. By 1917, 2,716 participants in 208 high school agricultural clubs were engaged in projects under the direction of the University of California.
In 1928, "4-H" appeared in California reports of youth work. In the 1930s, over 10,000 youth in California 4-H clubs were developing skills through individual projects and learning leadership and civic responsibility through community improvement projects. In 1953, a state 4-H club leader was assigned by the University Extension. 4-H programs were reorganized with a widened project base aimed to reach a broader audience than just rural boys and girls. Today, the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program (California 4-H) is open to all youth ages 5 to 18 in every county in California.
California 4-H believes in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. California 4-H offers opportunities to learn and use skills in communications, leadership, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math), healthy living and civic engagement.
Our Vision
A world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change.
4-H Pledge
In 1927, the 4-H Pledge was adopted at the first National 4-H Camp (now called the National 4-H Conference) in Washington, D.C.
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.
Promesa 4H
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 Motto
"To Make the Best Better"
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").
Use of the 4-H name and emblem
The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program (California 4-H) provides outreach and positive youth development for all youth in California and authorizes the use of the 4-H name and emblem in California.
What do the H's stand for?
4-H Strategic Plan 2023-2028
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.
Staffing Plan
See our Staffing Plan to learn more about our efforts to support the growth of the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program by providing greater program support, additional employees and greater access to programs.