Welcome to 4-H

In 4‑H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. We are America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

4-H is a Community for Everyone

For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better. Through life-changing 4‑H programs, nearly six million kids have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equity and inclusion for all.

Here in Jackson County, we serve over 800 youth members directly through club programming, and thousands more through outreach and school activities. Youth come from rural and urban areas; some from families who have been in 4-H for generations, while many are brand new to the program. We rely on hundreds of local volunteers, some of whom are family members of youth involved wanting to learn alongside their children, while others are community members who have skills they wish to pass on. 4-H is managed by Oregon State University Extension, which aims to provide community education and resources, and partners with many local organizations.

4-H'ers Make a Difference in Their Communities! Now more than ever, kids and teens are taking the lead to improve their communities and inspire generations of today and tomorrow.

4-H Alumni Share How 4-H Impacted Their Lives! Alumni go on to do great things, be it in politics, activism, the arts, science, or any number of ways. Hear their stories and connect.

4-H Focus Areas

Science & Inquiry

Science is interwoven into 4-H learning experiences through hands-on, inquiry-based opportunities that build knowledge, skills, and resources and apply them across multiple settings. Youth are encouraged to problem solve and to use critical thinking to develop innovative solutions to current and future problems.

Healthy Living

Healthy living is interwoven into 4-H learning experiences through building skills in cooking, fitness, and emotional regulation, connecting to agriculture and where their food comes from, and learning how to form healthy relationships.

Citizenship & Leadership

Citizenship is interwoven into learning experiences through opportunities to engage with the community through service and partnerships, club leader responsibilities, club democratic decision-making, state and national retreats and conferences, and mentoring with volunteers

The 4-H Impact

4-H is managed by land-grant universities (OSU in Oregon), which means our programs use groundbreaking, research-based strategies to engage youth. Decades of research proves that youth involved in 4-H are more likely to report:

Healthy habits
High self esteem & sense of belonging
Better school performance
Interest in science careers
Participation in community service
Leadership skills
Cooperation & respect for diversity

Oregon 4-H Impact Report

Positive Youth Development

4-H is about more than just learning a new skill and earning a ribbon at fair: youth who participate in 4-H develop life-long abilities and self-awareness that prepare them to be self-motivated, responsible, empathetic, mentally and physically healthy, able to set and reach goals, and connected to their community and a greater purpose in life. 4-H programming is based on positive youth development approach that recognizes all youth have interests, abilities and strengths that can be enhanced by participation in 4-H programs. Research from Oregon State University suggests that participating in high quality 4-H programs helps youth thrive, and thriving youth achieve important developmental outcomes such as: academic motivation and success, social competence and high personal standards.

Learn more about Positive Youth Development

4-H Thriving Model

OSU Extension Service

Jackson County 4-H