In this way, rural youth programs introduced new agriculture technology to communities. B. T.A. By 1924, 4‑H clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted.
Late 1800's: Making Connections
In the late 1800’s, researchers discovered adults in the farming community did not readily accept new agricultural developments on university campuses, but found that young people were open to new thinking and would experiment with new ideas and share their experiences with adults. The idea of practical and “hands-on” learning came from the desire to connect public
school education to country life. Building community clubs to help solve agricultural challenges was a first step toward youth learning more about the industries in their community.
1902: Youth Clubs are Formed
A. Graham started a youth program in Clark County, Ohio, in 1902, which is considered the birth of 4‑H in the United States. The first club was called “The Tomato Club” or the “Corn Growing Club”. Erickson of Douglas County, Minnesota, started local agricultural after-school clubs and fairs that same year. Jessie Field Shambaugh developed the clover pin with an H on each leaf in 1910, and by 1912 they were called 4‑H clubs.
1914: Cooperative Extension System is Created
The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4‑H. The Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 100 land-grant universities and more than 3,000 county offices across the nation. Cooperative Extension combines the expertise and resources of federal, state, and local governments and is designed to meet the need for research, knowledge and educational programs.
4‑H Today
Today, 4‑H serves youth in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state across the nation. 4‑H’ers are tackling the nation’s top issues, from global food security, climate change and sustainable energy to childhood obesity and food safety. 4‑H out-of-school programming, in-school enrichment programs, clubs and camps also offer a wide variety of STEM opportunities – from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, environmental protection and computer science – to improve the nation’s ability to compete in key scientific fields and take on the leading challenges of the 21st century.
01/15/2026
🐾 Volunteers Needed! 🐾
San Diego County 4-H is inviting 4-H members to volunteer at the San Diego Cat Fanciers Food & Water Bowl ###IV, the largest cat show in the Western U.S.!
📍 Del Mar Fairgrounds
📅 Saturday, Jan. 24 (10 AM–5 PM)
📅 Sunday, Jan. 25 (9 AM–5 PM)
Volunteers will assist in competition rings (2–3 hour minimum). Entrance is free for 4-H volunteers, with parking reimbursed on site.
Questions? Join the info Zoom on Jan. 15 at 6:30 PM. Details on the flyer.
10/14/2025
Learn how to share the great impacts you made as a 4-H’er in your essay when applying to a UC school. Join an informative webinar on Wed, Oct. 15 at 6-7:30 pm (PT) by Jacquelyn Ross, California 4-H alumni State Ambassador who is now a Senior Admissions Officer at UC Davis. Current UCD students in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences will be along to share highlights and to field your chat questions.
This webinar is open to all students, parents, transfer students and out of state students - please share!
10/06/2025
We're kicking off National 4-H Week with energy, leadership, and a whole lot of green!
This week, we're proud to celebrate the achievements of 4-H youth across San Diego County and beyond, and we’re starting strong with the 2025 Regional 4-H Leadership Summit! Members of our San Diego 4-H team—Liliana Vega, Rebeca Manzo, Dax London, Stephanie Barrett, and Lupe Ibarra—attended the summit to connect with other youth and adult leaders across the region. Together, they engaged in hands-on workshops, building leadership capacity, and developing action plans to support youth thriving at every level.
To honor the start of National 4-H Week, the San Diego Convention Center will glow in 4-H green tonight—symbolizing over a century of commitment to positive youth development in our region. This iconic lighting stands as a tribute to the power of young people to lead, learn, and grow into tomorrow’s changemakers.
Thank you to our community for standing with 4-H this week, and every week, as we support youth who are .
07/31/2025
Congrats Maddie!
UCCE and San Diego 4-H proudly congratulates Maddie Davis on receiving three scholarships totaling $30,000 from the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation! A 10-year 4-H member, Maddie served in several officer roles and as an assistant swine leader—demonstrating the leadership, dedication, and resilience that define our program.
Maddie credits her involvement in 4-H, FFA, and the San Diego County Fair for teaching her responsibility, patience, and confidence—values she’ll carry with her into adulthood.
We’re incredibly proud of Maddie and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next. She represents the very best of what 4-H strives to grow in all young people across San Diego County.
07/16/2025
Great article on "Responsibility, Leadership, and Lambs: 4-H Youth Thrive through Animal Science" by Rebeca Manzo, our Community Education Specialist. Thomas from Manzanita 4-H is featured!
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4-H is agriculture and so much more!
4-H is an all inclusive youth organization, ages 5-19, that offers extracurricular, after school, and in-school programs. Our program centers around projects, areas of interests your children may have in science, technology, engineering, art, math, and healthy living. Projects vary from club to club but include everything from robotics to lambs, sewing to hiking, and even yoga to archery. Where does your child’s spark lie? Join 4-H today!
