UConn Extension 4-H

When you join 4-H, you choose what interests you. Here are some examples of hands-on opportunities:

• exploring the environment and nature
• growing your own food with all types of gardens
• learning about technology and robotics
• developing photography or public speaking skills
• caring for animals

You can be part of a club, be an individual member, attend 4-H Camp, go on a field trip or show off your new skills at a 4-H Fair. In the process, you meet new friends, solve problems and make a difference in your neighborhood or even in the world.

Our adult 4-H volunteers enjoy working with young people to gain their full potential. Depending on the talents and time you can contribute, we have a place for you in:

• individual events
• short-term or long term projects with national curriculums
• on-going group activities
• committee membership

You’ll get plenty of training and support from the Connecticut Cooperative Extension Staff and recognition, too. You might even learn new skills while seeing youth grow and develop. Get a new worldview.

According to research by Tufts University, 4-H youth are 25% more likely to contribute to their families, themselves and their communities, and 41% less likely to engage in risky/problem behavior.

As part of the University of Connecticut, 4-H has access to research-based, age-appropriate information needed to help youth reach their full potential. The mission of 4-H is to assist all youth ages 5-18 in acquiring knowledge, developing leadership and life skills while forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of their families and communities.

Be part of the 4-H world.

UConn 4-H provides life transformative experiences and our program alumni make positive impacts in their communities, careers, and families. We want to stay connected with our alumni by sharing your story, celebrating your success, and bringing you back into the program on short-term or longer term volunteer projects.

“We have an opportunity to impress on 4-Hers the givers heart,” Harlan Hyde, a New London County 4-H volunteer says. “It’s also important to us that the whole thing started with farmers dumping milk, being limited to what they could ship to market—we want to increase demand. We buy fruit that might not be sold at market, and increase demand for those products, and we get the 4-H members involved in community service. We’re taking a holistic approach from farm to food pantry to table.”