“The Beginning of a Lifetime of Opportunities ”

Anxious to get a new school year started in a positive direction for your child? Take a break from your demanding school and work schedules and share in positive youth development by spending some quality family time.  Enroll your child in the largest national youth organization  --  4-H!

With the assistance of adult community volunteers, the positive youth development of our 4-H program can build confidence, competence, character, connection and caring which leads to community contributions. The final outcome of our 4-H program is that “All youth will grow up fully prepared for and fully engaged in life.”

4-H is a unique organization, in that it is the only youth development organization with oversight and sponsorship by the federal government. At the federal level, 4-H is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The federal government partners with the Land-Grant Universities including Kansas State University. K-State Research and Extension, as part of KSU, administers the 4-H program in cooperation with the local Extension governing units. Local Twin Creeks Extension District units are housed in Decatur, Graham, Norton and Sheridan counties. Through our educational mission, we help youth to learn by doing and to lead by example. In 4-H, we are committed to providing a positive experience for as many young people as possible. Not just with the belief that 4-H grows great kids, but the belief that by preparing our youth for school, work and life that we are contributing to a vibrant economy for years to come.

Our Mission: Kansas 4-H Youth Development uses unique strategies and opportunities to engage youth in reaching their full potential through partnerships with caring adults.

Our Vision:  Kansas 4-H Youth Development provides a world where youth and adults acquire and advance positive life skills by learning, growing and working together.

The Kansas 4-H program focuses on the mastery of five life skills: a positive self-concept, an inquiring mind, a concern for the community, healthy interpersonal relationships and sound decision-making.

October 1st marks the beginning of our new 4-H year. Youth and parents are invited to visit local community 4-H clubs to become involved in an organization that teaches life skills useful and necessary in adult lives. From conducting and participating in business meetings, to record keeping and decision making, our 4-H program touches on all aspects of preparing youth to become successful adults. Choosing project areas of interest allows youth to explore with curiosity unfamiliar, but interesting projects. Local extension offices have a multitude of project resources as well as contact information for subject matter project leaders.

Any youth who is between the age of 7 and 18 before January 1, 2023 is eligible to become a 4-H member. A choice of over 30 projects areas are available as state projects which includes the Self-Determined project allowing the youth to research an area that is not listed as a state project. The sky’s the limit in choosing a project. 4-H uses research-based, age-appropriate curricula which includes experiential and inquiry-based learning.

Youth 5 and 6 years old as of January 1, 2023 can enroll as a Cloverbud. This 4-H program is activity-focused rather than project-focused. Cloverbuds participate in a cooperative program, not a competitive program.

Choose to be a part of an organization that not only develops life skills for youth, this organization focuses on quality family time with research-based projects and learning to give back through community service. Our 4-H program offers many perks including scholarships, activity grants, minimal costs for camps, etc., BUT we hope your choice to participate in our 4-H program stems from enticed project learning, friendships, life skills such as public speaking, decision making skills, record keeping, building confidence and competence, self-esteem, and the list goes on…
We are excited to get the 2022-23 4-H program year off to a great start that allows ALL youth the opportunity to be part of the nation’s largest youth development organization, empowering six million young people throughout all 3,007 counties of the United States. Choose a 4-H Club in your community and get excited about the possibilities. Several group activities in the planning stages for the upcoming year include project events for ceramics, rockets, livestock, foods, sewing, shooting sports, etc.

Get Involved and Join a Club! Contact your local K-State Research and Extension, Twin Creeks District office in Decatur (785-475-8121), Graham (785-421-3411), Norton (785-877-5755) or Sheridan (785-675-3268), or contact Twin Creeks Extension District 4-H Youth Development Agent, Patsy Maddy at pmaddy@ksu.edu or 785-877-7262.

Our new 4-H year begins October 1st. Contact us today and don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity to Grow with Us!!!

K-State Research and Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Twin Creeks Extension District prior to the start of the event at 785-877-5755. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

- 10 –