After a one-year pause in the county’s funding partnership with Oregon State University Extension Service, local programming in Josephine County is rebuilding for a sustainable return.
During the 2025-26 4-H year, 101 youths enrolled in Josephine County 4-H.
During the 2025-26 4-H year, 101 youths enrolled in Josephine County 4-H, including 74 members ages 9 to 19 and 27 Cloverbud members ages 5 to 8. Twenty-two adult volunteers completed orientation and training to support local clubs and activities.
4-H Youth Development provides hands-on learning experiences that help young people build skills for life. Reestablishing local club opportunities helps families reconnect with a long-standing source of leadership development, practical learning and community engagement.
Frank Boothby, 4-H Youth Development and Master Gardener Program manager and community relations staff member in Josephine County, has supported the return of local 4-H opportunities.
The Josephine County 4-H program currently includes four active clubs: Clever Clovers, Josephine’s Musketeers, Pooch Paw Raiders and Bullseye Shooting Sports.
Volunteer 4-H leaders have met monthly to support program growth. The Josephine County 4-H Association, which supports fundraising, fund allocation and advisory work, has also resumed.
Outreach included appearances at local events and schools, radio spots by a Josephine County State 4-H Ambassador and participation in the Boatnik Parade.
Youths gain opportunities
The program is helping fill a gap in animal science education for small animals, one of the highest-enrolled 4-H project areas. An Animal Sciences Training Day in March drew more than 50 participants from 4-H and FFA. Josephine County also hosted a shooting sports training in Grants Pass for 4-H volunteers from across Oregon.
These efforts are restoring youth opportunities and reconnecting families with a program that supports leadership, responsibility and hands-on learning.
Public value
4-H in Josephine County helps young people develop practical skills, confidence and leadership while strengthening family and community involvement.
By training volunteers and restoring club-based learning, OSU Extension is expanding local capacity to serve youths over time.
Continued local investment helps ensure Josephine County families have access to affordable, research-based youth development close to home.
