University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

Download PDF
Publication #4HS FS101.12

 

What Counts as 4-H in My Programs?1

Marilyn N. Norman and Joy C. Jordan2

This document is best viewed as a PDF. Click here to access the PDF.

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) has only one way to systematically aggregate and take credit for the scope of its efforts in youth development. It is called "CES Form 237", the annual 4-H Youth Enrollment Report. No matter what a youth development program is called, take credit for what is being done! All youth development efforts of CES in each county are reported on the county or state ES237. That includes (usually) collaborative efforts with other groups. However, if the effort (independent or collaborative) is a one-shot event then don't report it. In recent years CES has begun any number of wonderfully innovative, cutting-edge new youth development programs in various states. A 4-H experience should engage young people in six hours of education activities.

Unfortunately, in some places, the more innovative the program, the less likely that it will be called 4-H. Consequently, Extension does not get credit for being as innovative as we really are, and the image of 4-H continues to lag behind reality. Often those uniquely-named CES youth development efforts don't get counted on the ES-237, so CES does not really get credit for them. Consequently, there is probably a huge undercount in 4-H.

The 4-H umbrella is big enough that it covers all CES youth development. The official definition of 4-H, for some 30 years, has been: 4-H: The youth development education program of the Cooperative Extension Service. Not "A" youth development program. But the sum total of youth development education provided by the Cooperative Extension Service. 4-H is a rich collection of delivery modes, ways of learning, subject specializations and unique local adaptations. Almost every club or group has its own unique name, but continues to be, and be reported, as part of overall 4-H. This is true for all youth development programs originating from the 1862, 1890, and 1994 land grant universities, Tuskegee University, and the universities in the territories.

Footnotes

1.

This document is 4HS FS101.12, one of a series of the 4-H Youth Development Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date January 2006. Revised May 2006. Reviewed June 2012. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Marilyn N. Norman, Associate Professor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and State 4-H Program Leader, and Joy C. Jordan, Associate Professor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.