New York State 4-H Youth Development

New York State 4-H Youth Development is part of the 4-H youth development program of the nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA. In this program, kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4-H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps, and enrollment in 4-H programs is done through each county's Cooperative Extension Office.

• Schedule: Kids experience 4-H through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4-H camps

For more than 100 years, 4-H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds. The mission of 4-H is to connect youth to hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society. 4-H is described as America’s largest youth development organization, reaching nearly six million young people nationwide, with nearly 170,000 young people in New York taking on critical issues such as addressing community health, engaging in civil discourse, and advocating for opportunity for all. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

Last updated May 29, 2026.