Cornell Cooperative Extension

Dutchess County
4-h

<p>Promoting agriculture and strengthening communities</p>

tractor saftey

<p>4-H'ers become confident, competent and caring</p>

Livestock pavilion

The Dutchess County Fair is a highlight of many 4-H'ers year!

2019 DCF

<p>Having fun and building skills for success</p>

paper clover

<p>Making friends, having fun!</p>

The 4-H Club Website is Packed with Information!

4-H CLUB WEBSITE CLICK HERE

All the information you need to join, stay up-to-date, volunteer and support our youth!

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4-H'ers of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow!

Contact

Emma Jenks
4-H Educator/Club Manager
elj57@cornell.edu
(845) 677-8223 x 108

Last updated May 5, 2021

4-H Club Program

What is 4-H?

4-H is a Positive Youth Development Program 

What does that mean???

It means that whatever activities 4-H'ers engage in, they learn life-skills and develop behaviors that provide a solid foundation for them to achieve success in whatever they do in life.

Using a growth mindset (focus on helping them believe in themselves and what they CAN do) the youth develop:

  • Confidence in themselves
  • Competence in their abilities
  • Caring attitude to others
  • Connection to their community
  • Character to make healthy choices

4-H and Agriculture

4-H has its roots in agriculture. In Dutchess County, 4-H'ers learn the skills they will need to feed their communities and sustain the environment. 4-H ag. programs include beef, hogs, poultry, sheep, llamas and alpacas, horses and goats.

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More Than Agriculture

4-H can accommodate the interests of all youth. Current clubs include:

  • Rabbits and guinea pigs
  • Dogs
  • Sewing
  • Cooking
  • Gardening
  • Beekeeping
  • Shooting Sports
  • Teen Leadership

Whenever there is a group of 5 or more kids who want to study any subject (use your imagination!) a new club can be formed!

Clubs are led by volunteers who have expertise in special areas. 

An Inclusive and Welcoming Space

All kids aged 5-18 years of age are welcomed into 4-H regardless of their abilities and backgrounds. 4-H has a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination and actively works to promote equity and understanding.

Youth in 4-H,learn life-skills towards a successful future as tomorrow's leaders, such as:

  • Public Presentations and communications
  • Record Keeping relevant to their projects
  • Community Service in meaningful ways
  • Adherence to a Code of Conduct
  • Responsibility and Reliability
  • Teamwork
  • Peer Mentoring
  • Problem Solving

4-H Public Presentation Program

When asked the most valuable thing they take away from the 4-H program, the majority of young adults cite the public speaking skills they learned through age-appropriate, fun learning experiences. 

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Opportunities for Advancement

At County level, 4-H offers a host of activities and projects that youth can participate in. Participation in the Dutchess County Fair is a highlight for many 4-H'ers. 

REGIONAL: Dutchess is part of the South East District. 7 counties work together to offer regional events and competitions. 

STATE-LEVEL: NYS 4-H provides an amazing selection of affordable career development opportunities, many of which give 4-H'ers access to Cornell University resources and state-wide events such as Capital Days.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL: For dedicated 4-H'ers the sky is the limit!