4-H ANSWERS TO COMMON 4-H QUESTIONS

Questions about 4-H

Q: Who provides leadership for 4-H?

A: 4-H is sponsored in Wisconsin by the Cooperative Extension Service of University of Wisconsin-Extension. Nationally, it is part of the Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Local leadership is provided by the 4-H youth developments agents in the county offices of the Cooperative Extension Service, which is supported financially by county, state, and federal tax dollars.

Questions about 4-H groups

Q: How often do 4-H clubs meet?

A: Some clubs meet every month year round and others meet every week for a month or two. This depends on the group and what it wants to do. 4-H clubs may organize at any time of the year. Sometimes members have to be enrolled in a project by a certain time to be eligible for a specific activity.

Q: Where do 4-H clubs meet?

A: Any place is acceptable if it is large enough and is convenient for the members of the group. Some clubs meet in leaders¹ or members¹ homes. Some meet in a central place, such as a school, church, or community room.

Questions about 4-H leaders

Q: What is a 4-H leader?

A: An adult who works voluntarily with a group of 4-H members.

Q: Who are youth leaders?

A: Youth leaders are older 4-H members who develop skills in working with others. These teens assist the club leader and members with project work, club programs and activities, and county events.

Q: Where would I learn to be a 4-H leader?

A: Your main help would be the county UW-Extension office. The 4-H youth development agent will discuss with you your interest in working with youth, your previous experience, and the resources available to you. All volunteers complete application and enrollment forms and participate in an orientation. Materials you would need to organize a 4-H club would be given to you or you would be matched up with a club leader in your neighborhood.

Questions about 4-H projects

Q: What does a 4-H project cost?

A: It varies. A member enrolled in visual arts might use supplies from around the home to practice the skills he or she is learning and have no additional expense. A member who buys and keeps a saddle horse might invest hundreds of dollars. Members should consider cost as they select a project. It should be realistic to the family situation.

Q: Are 4-H members expected to do their own project work?

A: Yes--with help. 4-H is a "learn by doing" program. Leaders, youth leaders, and parents may tell or show a member how, but members are expected to learn how to do things themselves. One of the principles of 4-H is that allowing a youth to learn by doing builds self-worth.

Q: What is an exhibit?

A: An exhibit is an object or display designed to help a young person show what he or she has accomplished. Ideally it motivates a youth to learn and to have fun in a 4-H project. An exhibit is not an end in itself, nor does it measure all the learning that takes place from completing a project.

Q: Are projects done individually or as a group?

A: Both. Some projects like fishing or biking are more fun when done as a group. Others like making a dress or finishing a drawing may be done individually by each member of the group.

Questions about 4-H meetings

Q: What do 4-H clubs do at meetings?

A: 4-H clubs do five general kinds of things: project work, conduct business meetings, recreation or social activities, community service work, and special interest programs.

Q: Do they do all of those things at one meeting?

A: Sometimes they have a short business meeting, work on their projects for awhile, then have recreation. Sometimes the whole meeting is devoted to one thing. For example, everyone brings his or her dog and practices obedience training, or they elect officers and plan the club program, or they have a pizza-making party or tour a local factory.

Q: Who plans the program for the club?

A: Members of the club. If the club is small, this might be done at a meeting of the whole group. If the club is large, ideas come from everybody and a committee puts together a program.

Contact Amber Rehberg for more information. Email: amber.rehberg@ces.uwex.edu

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