4-H
4-H Youth Development
Dr. Cathann Kress, Director of Youth Development
1400 Independence Avenue, Stop 2225
U. S. Department of Agriculture, CSREES
Washington, DC 20250-2225
Telephone: 202-720-4087
Web Page: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov
Organizational
Information
Founded:Officially in 1914 with passage of the Smith-Lever Act
authorizing the Cooperative Extension Service with 4-H as the youth program
Age of members: Generally 5 - 19
Number of members (FY 2003): 7 million members; 90,000 community clubs
Number of volunteers: 560,000 adult and teen volunteers
Number of staff: Ca. 3,000 professionals and 1,200 para-professionals
Parent Organization:
Department of Agriculture, 106 Land-Grant Universities and Colleges, 3,150
County Extension Offices
Supporting Organization: National 4-H Headquarters is at US Department
of Agriculture. National 4-H Council provides support as a national 4-H
not-for-profit organization.
Purpose/Mission: 4-H Youth Development Education creates supportive
environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest
potential. In support of this mission, we will:
- Provide formal and non-formal community focused experiential learning
- Develop skills that benefit youth throughout life
- Foster leadership and volunteerism in youth and adults
- Build internal and external partnerships for programming and funding
- Strengthen families and communities
- Use research-based knowledge and the land-grant university system
Slogan: "Learn by Doing" Motto:"To Make the Best Better"
Pledge/Promise:
I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking;
My Heart to greater loyalty
My Hands to larger service and
My Health to better living
For my Club, my Community, my Country and my World
Educational Program Focus: 4-H participants may be enrolled in more than one project (subject matter focused) area in a given year. For example, Citizenship and Civic Education; Communications and Expressive Arts; Consumer and Family Sciences; Healthy Lifestyle Education; Personal and Leadership; Plants and Animal; Science and Technology
Resources to Share: A wide range of staff and volunteer development programs and materials, especially in youth development, working with youth, recognition in youth development programs, fund development, etc., as well as networks of 4-H youth development professionals.