Parents

4-H activities photo montage

Benefits of 4-HBenefits of joining Mass 4-H

Youth learn by doing!

4-H allows youth to have fun, meet new people, learn new skills, build self confidence, develop responsibility, and set and achieve goals!

This is done through membership in a 4-H club, a group of young people who meet on a regular basis with a caring adult volunteer to guide and mentor them.

The joy of 4-H is seeing young people grow through their accomplishments.

4-H enables youth to reach their fullest potential through:

  • Developing life skills.

    • Public speaking competitions, called Visual Presentations, at the local and state levels.

    • Goals Setting for their projects and keeping record

  • Participating in Experiential education.

    • 4-H offers a wide range of projects, programs and activities that every member can do.

  • Engaging in community service in their local communities as well as contributing to statewide service projects.

  • Practicing Leadership Skills by holding office, using Roberts Rule and working with younger youth.

For over 100 years, Massachusetts 4-H has been providing young people the opportunity to do that work, to work on their personal growth and development in a positive environment. Research shows that 4-H members are likely to excel in school, lead their peers and give to their communities. Massachusetts 4-H is a great place to be!

 

Massachusetts 4-H Year Highlights (Yearly Calendar)

October 15th - Begins the New 4-H Year in Massachusetts 

FALL 

  • Families Re-enroll 
  • Clubs start plans for the New Year 
  • 4-H Records are submitted on previous year’s activities 
  • Members set goals for New Year 
  • National 4-H Week is the First Full Week of October 
  • Tractor Supply Clover Campaign held in October 
  • National SET Challenge kicks off October 1st 

Winter 

  • Recognition Events Begin  
  • Winter Forum Workshops 
  • Rabbit and Poultry Workshops 
  • Members work on and practice Visual Presentations and local competitions held 
  • County Horse Competitions (Horse Bowl Hippology) 

Spring 

  • State Visual Presentation Contest Held 
  • Animal Science Workshops and Academies Held 
  • Spring Tractor Supply Campaign held 
  • State Horse Competitions 
  • Teen Leadership Retreat (every other year) 

Summer 

  • Explore UMass Amherst 
  • State Photography Contest 
  • Fairs (Start late June-early October) 

Testimonies

"4-H has done so much for the participants, especially at this unprecedented time. You helped to take a bit of the beginning-of-the-school-year jitters away, having the children focus on their projects and creativity. Thank you for making this difficult time a productive and meaningful time for our families and members! "


From a parent who attended the online career workshops: 
"Thank you so much for having the presentation last night with a veterinarian. My daughter really enjoyed it and being on the presentation answered so many questions about what she wants to do."


From a 4-H member attending the gardening workshops:
"Gardening is so fun and it’s one of my strengths. I want to make it my career. 4-H is such an amazing program and I feel so lucky to be a part of it!"


From an adult attending an online workshop:
"Thank you so much for organizing such an enjoyable workshop and inviting all of us to attend. The facilitator was engaging and such a great instructor! The members did such a great job creating their stars - I was so impressed with their final products. "