4-H Youth

Studies confirm it. 4-H members are likely to excel in school, lead their peers and give to their communities. A connection to land grant Universities and proven strategies for outreach attract 458,000 youth annually in NYS and 7 million nationally. This is why Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County works in area communities, schools and on Fort Drum to enhance the lives of area youth and families.

The fundamental 4-H ideal of practical, learn-by-doing experiences encourages youth to experiment, innovate, and think independently. Youth learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills through more than 1,000 projects with topics as varied as rocketry, GPS mapping, DNA analysis, public speaking, photography, nutrition, and community service. 

And finally, as the youth program of Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4-H’s connection to Cornell University and other land-grant institutions sets us apart from other youth serving organizations. Access to Cornell’s resources gives young people an opportunity to make connections for college and beyond.

View our new 4-H Brand Essence video to learn how 4-H programming empowers young people with skills to lead for a lifetime.

Interested in learning more about the research and practice of 4-H Youth Development? Our Why 4-H series of fact sheets may help:

Why 4-H Clubs?

Why 4-H Camps?

Why 4-H Afterschool?

Why 4-H School Enrichment?

Why 4-H STEM?

Last updated June 25, 2024