THIS IS THE 4-H EMBLEM
The four “H’s” stand for HEAD, HEART, HANDS, and HEALTH.
The colors are GREEN and WHITE
The green stands for growing, living things
and the white for purity and cleanliness.
THE 4-H PLEDGE
I pledge:
my HEAD to clearer thinking,
my HEART to greater loyalty,
my HANDS to larger service,
my HEALTH to better living,
for my club, my community, my country and my world.
THE 4-H MOTTO
“To Make the Best Better”
THE 4-H SLOGAN
“Learn by Doing”
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This project is to acquaint new 4-H members with the 4-H program in
Arizona.
This project should be completed before you start your other 4-H projects.
PURPOSE
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To learn about 4-H
To learn what 4-H’ers do
To learn the 4-H pledge
To learn the 4-H motto
To learn what you must do to complete
other 4-H projects.
To know who is behind you - county Extension staff, leaders, etc.
To learn how to speak before a group of people
To know about activities and events that are held in your county
To learn cooperation and courtesy with other boys and girls
To learn to take part in 4-H
There is a worksheet for you to do on different topics and a clover a
the bottom of each for your 4-H leader to initial when you complete that
section. When you have completed all the pages, you will turn the book in
to your 4-H leader.
Describe what the pledge means to you:
Describe what the motto means to you:
Club Leader’s initials______
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LET’S GET THE FACTS:
How 4-H Began
The 4-H program grew out of a
widespread need in rural American in the early
1900's. Corn, pig, tomato, and canning clubs
were forerunners. Among the pioneer leaders
were school teachers and other educators who
wanted a living laboratory to supplement their
classrooms. Finally, in 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act which provided
for a national Cooperative Extension Service. Under it, the “boys and girls club
work” became 4-H.
About one in every six men and women in the United States has belonged to
4-H.
Who is Behind 4-H?
The 4-H program is part of the nationwide educational system of the
Cooperative Extension Service: A three-way partnership of the county governments,
the state land-grant universities, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Local
people help determine 4-H programs.
The Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation also gives valuable advice and financial
aid. About a fourth of the money spent on the 4-H program comes from non-tax
sources, from individual donors, businesses, and organizations.
To guide 4-H’ers, many public-spirited men and women serve as volunteer
local leaders. These leaders are trained, counseled, and assisted by county
Extension agents.
So, you see, many people are interested in you as a 4-H’er.
What is the Cooperative Extension Service?
The Cooperative Extension Service is a branch of the
University of Arizona affiliated with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture working in each county of Arizona as an educational
agency. Its’ main purpose is to help people improve their economic
and social well being. The county Extension agents, through
educational means, help people discover and analyze problems related to home,
farm business, family, and community.
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Service sponsors the 4-H
program in Arizona.
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WHAT 4-H MEMBERS DO
Every 4-H’er selects one or more “projects” as a real-life learning
experience. He gains useful new knowledge, understanding, and skills that fit
his home and family situation. These experiences often open doors to future
careers. Many kinds of projects are available for every age. Some are in:
Citizenship & Civic Education - cultural education, heritage, diversity,
exchanges, family history/genealogy, and community service.
Communication & Expressive Arts - Arts and crafts,
needlecrafts, knitting, weaving, beadwork, silversmithing, tole
painting, drama/theater, leatherwork, clogging/dance, public
speaking, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography.
Consumer & Family Sciences - Child development and child
care, clothing and textiles, and home environment.
Environmental Education & Earth Sciences - Forestry, rangelands and
wildlife, outdoor education and recreation, adventure challenge and shooting
sports, waste management, composting and recycling.
Healthy Lifestyle Education - Foods and Nutrition, food safety and
preservation, physical fitness and sports, safety and emergency preparedness.
Personal Development & Leadership - Economics, business
marketing, hobbies and collections, leadership skills development,
leisure education and personal development as well as 5-8 year old
cloverkids programs.
Plants & Animals - Beef, sheep, swine, birds and poultry, dairy
cattle and goats, horse and pony, rabbits/cavies, pocket pets,
flower gardening, fruit/vegetables.
Science & Technology - biological sciences, such as
beekeeping and entomology, Engineering and aerospace, rocketry,
electronics, automotive, engines, tractors and field equipment,
computer technology, wood science and industrial arts, and
physical sciences.
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HOW TO TAKE PART IN 4-H
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4-H Community and Project Clubs - Boys and girls enjoy the 4-H club. Here they
elect their own officers, conduct their own programs, and hold regular meetings.
They take part in community activities and the countywide 4-H program.
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Special Interest/School Enrichment 4-H Groups - A group working on a program
designed primarily to the interest and need of the group, or is part of a school
group whose projects are integrated as part of their school curriculum.
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Seasonal or Short-Term - A group which is programmed for a shorter period of
time. For example, a group may meet two days a week for two months, and
then their project is completed, such as gardening, food preservation,
horticulture, automotive, electricity, photography, and any home economics
projects.
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Individual/Self-Determined - A member over 12, may elect do 4-H work alone,
with the help of an adult advisor. He may want to branch out on some highly
specialized individual work, such as anthropology, taxidermy, rocks & minerals,
etc.; The member must fill out an activity and project record showing what the
member would like to achieve. This may or may not be an already established
project.
HOW DOES THE COUNTY AND STATE EXTENSION STAFF ASSIST 4-H?
County Extension staff work with leaders and 4-H members to plan a county 4-H and
youth program that conforms to the Arizona Cooperative Extension guidelines and
meets the needs of youth in the county.
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Help 4-H leaders learn about 4-H with recruitment and training
Coordinates county-wide activities and events with 4-H members & leaders
Coordinates activities and events held at district and state levels
State 4-H staff helps counties with:
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Leader training, literature, and teaching aids development
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Evaluation of county 4-H program
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Coordinates all state and national events
The state 4-H staff is headquartered on the campus of the University of Arizona,
Tucson. The staff is made up of a State 4-H Director and Extension Specialists in 4-H.
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KINDS OF 4-H LEADERS
County Extension agents direct the 4-H club work in each county, but they need
the help of adult, teen and junior leaders who work with the 4-H members in planning
and carrying out the 4-H program.
Adult leaders may do certain things in a 4-H program such as:
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Community or Organization Leader - The organization leader is in charge
of all general 4-H meetings and gives guidance in conducting your 4-H
meeting, club activities, and general program, and keeps all leaders and
parents informed of activities and events.
Project Leader - Works directly with you on your project work. Helps
members plan their project work, organizes and holds project meetings,
and guides members in record keeping.
Activity Leader - Guides members in organizing and carrying out selected
activities, keeps all leaders informed, and guides members in preparation
for activities.
Teen Leaders - boys and girls 16-19 years of age. Teen leaders have the
responsibility for a club or group with an adult in an advisory position.
Junior Leaders - boys and girls 14-19 years of age. Junior leaders work in
4-H under the guidance of an adult leader. Junior leaders help with the 4H activities and events and members with their project work.
HOW YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN IN 4-H
“Learn by doing” is the clue.
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PROJECT WORK - Fitting 4-H activities into the
farm, home, and family situation.
DEMONSTRATIONS - Teaching others through
“showing and telling”.
JUDGING - Learning standards and making
decisions based on those standards.
GROUP ACTION - Working toward the objectives
of the club or group, learning about community problems, and working to
solve them.
ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS - Giving boys and girls an opportunity for
experiences beyond the local club or group.
RECREATION - Learning to enjoy life, self, and association with others in
social activities.
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WORKSHEET
My Club or Group
Below are some blanks for you to fill in so that you will know about your club or
group. You will have to get this information from your leader, teen leader, or junior
leader.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Name of club or group__________________________________
When does my group meet?_____________________________
Where does my group meet?____________________________
Who are the leaders of my group?_________________________
Who are the officers?
President____________________________________________
Vice President________________________________________
Secretary-Treasurer___________________________________
Song Leader_________________________________________
Reporter____________________________________________
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Who are the junior/teen leaders?_____________________________
________________________________________________________
What projects am I going to take when I complete this project?
________________________________________________________
Do my parents know what projects I am planning on? Yes__ No__
What will I make or do in the project I am interested in?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Are there any special interest programs going to be held in my county?
Yes__ No__
Is there a county 4-H council in my county? Yes___ No____
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11.
Club Leader’s initials ___
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WORKSHEET
Extension Staff
1.
Who sponsors the 4-H program?
2.
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5.
Who is the county Extension Director?_______________________
Who is the Extension Home Economist?______________________
Who is the 4-H Agent?____________________________________
Which one of these people has the most responsibility in the 4-H club work
in your county?_________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Who is Program Director, 4-H and Youth Development, at the University of
Arizona?____________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Who are the Program Specialists, 4-H and Youth Development?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
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Club Leader’s initials ___
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WORKSHEET
How to share what I have learned in 4-H:
1.
Demonstration is one way of sharing with others what you have learned in 4-H.
Is it a requirement in your club to give a demonstration during the year?
Yes_______ No_______
If a demonstration is a requirement, your 4-H leader or junior/teen leader can
help you plan your demonstration.
2.
Does your club or group have a community or work project? Yes__ No__
If yes, what is the project?
How can you help?
3.
List three activities and events held in 4-H during the
club year held in your club or county.
Example: Recreation Day, Favorite Food Show, Contests, Workdays, etc.
a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________________
Club Leader’s initials ___
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REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE AT THE FAIR
AND HAVE A COMPLETED PROJECT
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Members must have proper enrollment forms completed and turned into the
4-H office.
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Attend 75% of club meetings (minimum of 9 meetings out of 12).
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Give a demonstration or illustrated talk on their project.
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Enter one item per project for public exhibition. (Horse members are
required to participate in Horse Achievement Day.)
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Turn in a completed record book by the deadline specified.
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Know the 4-H Pledge, 4-H Motto, 4-H Slogan, and 4-H Colors and their
meanings.
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Livestock members must complete Quality Assurance Training every three
years.
Alternative activities may be arranged, in writing, for special circumstances
through the 4-H office and submitted by the Demonstrations Days deadline.
If you complete your 4-H year, you will be eligible for yearend rewards, as well as some scholarships.
This is just the beginning of your exciting 4-H career!
Sign below to verify that you understand the
requirements of a completed project:
Member signature____________________
Club Leader’s initial _______
“4-H IS MORE THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED!”
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