4-H FAQs
4-H Frequently Asked Questions
What is 4-H?
4-H is a community of more than 6.5 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
The 4-H community also includes 3,500 staff, 538,000 volunteers, and 60 million alumni. 4-Hers participate in fun, hands-on learning activities supported by the latest research of land-grant universities that are focused on three areas: healthy living, citizenship, and science, engineering and technology. Youth can experience 4-H by becoming a member of a 4-H club, attending 4-H camp, or joining school-based or after-school 4-H programs. 4-Hers can compete with their projects in contests at the local, district, state, regional or national levels and also attend conferences and events.
What do the four H’s in 4-H stand for?
Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four H’s in 4-H, and they are the four values members work on through fun and engaging programs.
Head- Managing, Thinking
Heart- Relating, Caring
Hands- Giving, Working
Health- Being, Living
What is the 4-H pledge?
“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.”
When was 4-H founded?
4-H didn’t start in one time or place. It began around the start of the 20th century in the work of several people in different parts of the United States who were concerned about young people. The foundation of 4-H begun in the late 1800’s with various agricultural projects geared at ensuring the future of rural youth. The recognized beginning of 4-H was in 1902 when an Ohio educator, A.B. Graham, formed a club of boys and girls with the assistance of the Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station.
Who started 4-H?
There is no one person who started it. It was a collaborative effort involving many visionaries that happened over time.
Where is 4-H located in the world?
4-H can be found in every county in every state, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and U.S. Army and Air Force installations worldwide. 4-H and 4-H related programs also exist in more than 80 other countries around the world.
For more information about international 4-H clubs: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_atlas.htm
Has the 4-H Emblem changed over the last 100 years?
Yes. The first emblem design was a three-leaf clover, introduced by O.H. Benson sometime between 1907-08. From the beginning, the three “H’s” signified Head, Heart and Hands. A four-leafed clover design with H’s was introduced around 1908. In 1911, 4-H club leaders approved the present 4-H design. O.B. Martin is credited with suggesting that the H’s signify Head, Heart, Hands, and Health – universally since then, The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924 and Congress passed a law protecting the use of the 4-H name and emblem in 1939.
What do 4-H clubs do?
It’s entirely up to the 4-H members what their 4-H club does! 4-H clubs usually focus on one or more topics of the members’ choice. They conduct project-related activities. For example, gardening club may have a year round garden or a technology club may work on Web designs at meetings. 4-H clubs also do lots of community service both in their project area and where they are needed.
How old do you have to be to join? How long does it last?
You can be a full 4-H member from 9 through 19 years of age. Dinwiddie does also has a program for 5-8 year olds called the Cloverbuds. In some states, there is a ollegiate 4-h for youth in their college years.
How do I join a 4-H club in Dinwiddie?
Contact the Dinwiddie Extension Office and they can get you the appropriate forms for each club or event. 804_469-4514
What clubs does Dinwiddie currently have?
Dinwiddie has three equestrian clubs: the Horsekateer’s, Fence and Trail, and Midway Saddle Club for ages 9-18 years of age. There is also the Fish Predators, a fishing club and the Four Does More, a junior club for 4-H'rs the ages of 9-14. Dinwiddie also has a Cloverbud club for 4-H'rs 5-8 years old called The Puppies and a teen club for 4-H'rs ages 14-18. Finally, there is a 4-H home school club called Countryside and a Healthy World Club. Please contact the Dinwiddie Extension Office for more information on these clubs
Can I visit a meeting before officially joining?
We always encourage folks to attend a few meetings or events and decide if the goals of the club are meeting your personal interest. This is especially true for the horse clubs as each has different goals and programs.
As for summer workshops or overnight camps, we do require you to enroll as a 4-H member for insurance purposes. There is no fee to enroll.
Do I have to have a horse to join the horse clubs?
No, in fact many of our members do not own their own horses. However, make sure that the horse club you are joining is the one for you.
Do I have to be a member of a 4-H club to participate in 4-H events or 4-H camps?
No, you do not have to be a member.
Credit and for more information about 4-H, please visit http://www.4-h.org