4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Building on this, 4-H’ers will continue to be involved in serving their communities. Through 4-H programs, young people combine their concerns with practical skills so they can make a difference. Working together and having a good time through 4-H encourages youth to make volunteering a lifelong habit.
In New Jersey, there are over 3,700 volunteer 4-H leaders working with nearly 13,000 4-H members. These volunteers are among the over 500,000 volunteers nationwide who each contributed about 220 hours of service last year.
The 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is open to boys and girls in kindergarten through one year out of high school wherever they live. Programs are conducted in the 3,150 counties of the United States, the District of Columbia and six territories.
Since its beginning over 100 years ago, about 60 million Americans from all walks of life have been involved in 4-H. In addition, 80 countries around the world have youth programs similar to 4-H. The 4-H Youth Development Program thrives because of a unique partnership with the public and private sectors who contribute at the local, state and national level. Not only does this partnership include financial support, but many business people volunteer their time and talents to boys and girls. Support at the local level is received through the help of many businesses, financial institutions, civic organizations and service groups.
For more information on how you can become involved in 4-H as a member or volunteer leader, contact the 4-H office in your county or visit the New Jersey 4-H website at www.nj4h.rutgers.edu. 4-H offers educational programs to all youth in grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law.
