4-H FAQs

How do I join 4-H?

To join a 4-H club or become a 4-H volunteer leader contact your local county extension office.

What is the mission of 4-H?

4-H Youth Development Education creates supportive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential. In support of this mission, we will:

• Provide formal and non-formal community-focused experiential learning
• Develop skills that benefit youth throughout life
• Foster leadership and volunteerism in youth and adults
• Build internal and external partnerships for programming and funding
• Strengthen families and communities
• Use research-based knowledge and land-grant system to provide quality programming for youth and adults.

How do I get involved as a 4-H volunteer?

This question can be answered by contacting your county extension office. The phone number for the extension office can be found by looking in the phone book under your county name. Some of the offices are then listed as county agents office and some are listed as Extension Service office. If you can not get in touch with your county office, contact the state 4-H office at 662-325-3350.

What are the requirements to be a 4-H adult volunteer leader?

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must be 21 years of age to chaperone 4-H'ers

What are my roles and responsibilities as a 4-H volunteer?

• The following roles are available in 4-H:
  
  • Organizational Leader
  • Project Leader
  • Activity Leader
  • Resource Volunteer
  • Teen Leader
• 4-H Volunteer Responsibilities include:
  • Accepting assignments
  • Respect the confidence of public and 4-H
  • Follow guidelines and policies as established by the University Extension Service, State 4-H Program and County 4-H Program
  • Provide feedback, suggestions and recommendations to salaried staff
  • To use your time wisely
  • To communicate your limitations
  • Be considerate, respect others' competencies, and work as a member of a team

The following training opportunities are available:

• County training conferences
• Area training conferences
• District Leader Forums
• State Forums
• Regional Forums

What types of recognition are available to 4-H volunteers?

• County Scholarships
• Trips
• Reimburse assignment-related expenses
• Service Stripes
• Invitation to staff meetings
• Accomodate personal needs and problems
• Respect your wishes
• Informal Teas
• Cards
• Greet by name
• Volunteer Banquet
• Persuade personal to equate volunteer experience with work experience
• Praise
• Thank You Notes
• Recognition in media
• Smiles
• Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award
• Governor's Volunteer Service Award
• etc...many other ways