4-H is a unique educational program for boys and girls in elementary through high school. It encourages diverse groups of youth to develop their skills and talents to the fullest. As 4-H'ers, youth participate in activities, events and projects that develop and strengthen life skills. 4-H is open to everyone. Each county has exciting and fun programs. 4-H is the youth education program of The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Service (IFAS) and Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Young people participate in 4-H through school 4-H clubs, community clubs, special interest groups, after school programs, camps and many other activities. Although there are many common activities, each county in Florida has its own unique program and areas of emphasis. 4-H clubs usually engage in the following activities: project work, business meetings, special interest programs, as well as educational, recreational and social activities. Members of the club, with guidance from volunteer adult leaders and 4-H agents, plan activities. If the club is small, this might be done at a meeting of the whole group. If the club is large, ideas come from everyone and a committee puts together a program. This depends on the group. School clubs meet monthly for thirty minutes to one hour during the school year. Community clubs, special interest groups and after school programs meet for an hour or two after school, in the evening or on a Saturday. Some clubs meet once a week, others twice a month. It is important to have a regular meeting time: one that members and their families can remember.

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