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4-H began in Arizona in 1913, when volunteer leader George T. Peabody organized a Boy’s Cotton Club in Chandler. When the U.S. Smith-Lever Act was passed in 1914, Professor Stanely F. Morse, of The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture Experiment Station, organized 12 cotton, corn, and grain sorghum 4-H clubs. Canning, swine, and poultry clubs were organized in 1915 by Leland Park, a University of Arizona State Agent who became the first employee to devote full time to clubs for boys and girls. In the early years, most clubs were organized through schools, with teachers serving as leaders. Boys’ and girls’ clubs became known as “4-H Clubs” in the early 1930s. In recent years, 4-H Youth Development programs have been organized in the communities with a continued emphasis on a balance of experiences for young people in project work, personal development opportunities, leadership and citizenship.
In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities. Arizona 4-H builds upon a century of experience as it fosters positive youth development that is based on the needs and strengths of youth, their families and communities. Youth have the opportunity to participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a young person’s sense of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery.
More than 9,000 Arizona youth are enrolled members of 4-H community clubs in Arizona. They are supported by more than 2,000 adult volunteer leaders. Another 184,000 Arizona youth get involved in 4-H through special educational opportunities
4-H gives them a chance to pursue their own interests – from photography to computers, from building rockets to raising sheep or rabbits. A comprehensive list of 4-H projects is available online at: http://extension.arizona.edu/4h. Arizona 4-H youth also go places – to camp, to state and national conferences and even on international cultural immersion exchanges. They learn to be leaders, active citizens and citizen scientists. In 4-H clubs, they serve as officers and learn to conduct meetings, handle club funds, and facilitate group decision-making. In a growing number of communities, 4-H youth serve as youth representatives in municipal or county government or as members of Teen Courts. They give back to their communities. 4-H members are involved in volunteer projects to protect the environment, mentor younger children and help people who are less fortunate.
Get Involved
Join America’s largest out-of-school youth development program! 4-H offers a wide variety of ways to get involved—
as a 4-H member
as a volunteer club leader
as a volunteer project leader
as a helper
as a donor
and much more.
4-H is a grass-roots, community led program to help today’s young people learn the skills and develop the talents to succeed in an ever-changing world. 4-H provides young people with the extra edge for life success by actively engaging them in a wide variety of projects that develop practical skills, leadership abilities, and a passion for giving back to their community—skills that are critical in today’s world. Whether you are interested in caring for an animal, learning how to prepare nutritious, low-cost meals, learning about science, technology, or engineering, or even learning how to make your own movies and post them on the Web—4-H is the place for you! If you can dream it, you can do it in 4-H. Find out more and learn how you can support the next generation of leaders by visiting our website: http://extension.arizona.edu/4h.
4-H is for all youth, ages 5-19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. Kids 5-8 join Cloverbuds – a non-competitive, fun introduction to the many projects available through 4-H. Youth ages 9-19 participate in 4-H by enrolling in projects and joining a club. To get involved in 4-H in your area, contact Patti Bingham – Community Club Leader at 363-5956.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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