Get involved with Dutchess County 4-H today!
Promoting agriculture and strengthening communities.
4-H'ers become confident, competent and caring.
Having fun and building skills for success.
Making friends, having fun!
4-H Changes Lives - For the Better!
4-H CLUB WEBSITE CLICK HERE
All the information you need to join, stay up-to-date, volunteer and support our youth!
Click the image below to register today!
Contact
Emma Jenks
4-H Educator/Club Manager
elj57@cornell.edu
(845) 677-8223 x 108
Last updated April 17, 2024
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.
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.
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!