UMass Extension Programs

4-H Program

Take me to the 4-H program website.

Sherrie Leed Guyott, Director

Massachusetts 4-H is a youth development program engaging young people in ongoing, experiential learning activities that build life skills including self-esteem, citizenship and leadership.

Massachusetts 4-H is rooted in communities throughout Massachusetts, is directed through the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and is affiliated with national 4-H through the United States Department of Agriculture. It has a 100-year history of youth development work through support for a large network of volunteer leaders and by facilitating subject area training and events in areas related to animal care, communications skills and community service. 4-H is well-known as the premier youth development program to use animals as vehicles for learning. In addition, 4-H has extensive name recognition and program resources in the subject area of communications.

The mission of Massachusetts 4-H is to prepare youth, ages 5 to18, to become independent and contributing members of society by providing them with supports and resources to learn about animal care, gain important life skills (such as self-esteem, citizenship and leadership) and develop their communications abilities to advance their positive, long term development as people.

Historically, 4-H core services have been centered on a volunteer-led club model in which small groups of young people meet regularly with trained, caring volunteers to learn more about their particular area of interest. Clubs are 4-H’s primary educational vehicles – the education children receive, research has shown a significant impact on a child’s life. The 4-H club is a unique, community level vehicle for accessing unusual educational material through specialized curricula and events. 4-H clubs are typically made up of 2 to 15 young people, concentrating on a subject identified by the members of the club themselves (both adults and youth).

A major strength of 4-H is the adaptability and flexibility of project areas tailored to youth needs. Each club tends to have a subject interest area although use of multiple curricula is encouraged. Within the club, youth assume responsibility for short and longer-term projects (up to a year). Clubs are often led by unpaid volunteers and meet in homes and community facilities most conducive to the club's interest area. Some clubs are run by paid volunteers – often operating under the umbrella of a public organization (school or non-profit organization) with meetings held in public or non-profit facilities.