Programs and Results

4-H Mission Mandates
The history of 4-H demonstrates that the program focus has been on three core mission mandates: science, engineering and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. The three mission mandates align with the research and programming efforts of USDA, the National Institute of Food and Agricultre and the land grant universities and colleges.

• Science, Engineering and Technology
• Healthy Living
• Citizenship

Programs of Distinction
4-H Programs of Distinction are a new collection of program descriptions that reflect the high quality of 4-H youth development programs that are occurring in communities across the United States. You can search the prgram abstracts database and read the indepth program descriptions.

Results of Participation in 4-H
A number of state and national studies have been done to assess the impact of 4-H on the lives of young people.

"Does participation in a 4-H Club make a difference in a young person's life? - YES!" Prepared by Dr. Cathann Kress, Director, Youth Development, 4-H National Headquarters. (PDF)

National 4-H Impact Assessment Project: Involvement in 4-H has a lasting impact on members, volunteers and communities. This report discusses the history, purpose, and results of this national 4-H project.

You will find additional 4-H impact studies in the Youth Development Research section.

See also...

Staff and Program Updates