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!
All the information you need to join, stay up to date, volunteer and support our youth!
This page is currently under construction! Keep checking back for the newest updates and opportunities for Dutchess County 4-H members!
Last updated December 4, 2025
2025 Advisory Committee
Heather Dini
Nikki Henry
Jean Stapf
Nicole Raskopf
Krista Greer
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
Clubs are led by 4-H trained volunteers who have expertise in their project areas.
An Inclusive and Welcoming Space
All youths aged 8-18 years of age are welcomed into 4-H regardless of their abilities and backgrounds. Our younger 4-Hers (aged 5-7) begin as Cloverbuds!
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 Speaking and Communications
- Record Keeping relevant to their projects and club functions
- 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 skills they take away from the 4-H program, the majority of young adults cite the public speaking abilities they developed through 4-H learning experiences.
Opportunities for Advancement
At the County level, 4-H offers a host of activities and projects that youth can participate in, including Club Officer Training, project workshops/field trips, and 4-H Day-camps.
REGIONAL: Dutchess County is part of the Southeast District. 7 counties work together to offer regional events and competitions such as Dairy Bowl, Livestock Skillathon, and Fashion Revue!
STATE-LEVEL: NYS 4-H provides an amazing selection of affordable career development opportunities, including state-wide events such as Capital Days.
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL: For dedicated 4-H'ers the sky is the limit! Dutchess 4-Hers are eligible to attend National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, and many more through their project contests.