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4-H Youth Development

Program Contact: Jenny W. Loyd, 4-H Program Coordinator
(509) 574-1600 • jennifer.loyd@co.yakima.wa.us

Friendship, fun, and project-based learning!

4-H creates spaces for families, youth, and volunteers to learn and work together on the projects kids care about.

Find your Spark in 4-H!

There are over 100 different 4-H projects within Agriculture, Healthy Living, STEM, and Civic Engagement, including Livestock – Horse – Robotics – Art – Leadership – Small Animal – Outdoor Education – Food & Nutrition – Science – Community Service – and so much more!


 

About 4-H

4-H is our nation’s largest youth organization. The 4-H Youth Development Program teaches life skills to youth through hands-on activities, leadership development, and community involvement.

Our science, healthy living, and civic engagement programs are backed by Washington State University Extension, Yakima County, and a community of 4‑H volunteers and professionals. Through hands-on learning, kids build confidence, creativity, curiosity, and life skills such as leadership and resiliency to help them thrive today and tomorrow.

With the support of adult mentors, youth select from a variety of hands-on project ideas to complete. 4‑H programs are available for kids and teens ages 5-18.

There are many 4-H clubs meeting in towns and cities across Yakima County.  For more information, please contact the Extension office.


 

Cartoon image of a red barn in a green field against a blue sky with clouds and the title Agriculture in black

Agriculture

4-H Agriculture programs help youth learn how to properly take care of their animals, whether they are raising them as work animals, dairy production, or for meat.  This project area also includes gardening and food preservation and youth have the opportunity to learn how to safely store their harvest.

Popular Agriculture projects in Yakima County:

  • Beef
  • Horse
  • Sheep
  • Swine

Learn more about 4-H Agriculture programs from National 4-H

Tree with musical notes overlaid, art supplies, and cartoon person carrying a large pea pod with the title Healthy Living above

Healthy Living

4‑H Healthy Living programs help 4‑H youth learn how to lead lives that balance physical, mental, and emotional health.

  • Foods & Nutrition
  • Expressive Arts
  • Latino Cultural Arts

Learn more about 4-H Healthy Living programs from National 4-H

Cartoon icons of an atom, a rocket, gears, and measuring tools with the title STEM above

STEM

4‑H STEM programs provide 4‑H youth the opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through fun, hands-on activities and projects.

Popular STEM projects in Yakima County include:

  • Robotics
  • Animal Science
  • Backyards & Beyond

Learn more about 4-H STEM programs from National 4-H

Earth with little silhouettes of people all over it and the title Civic Engagement above

Civic Engagement

4‑H Civic Engagement programs empower young people to be well-informed community members who are actively engaged in their clubs, community, country, and world.

Popular Civic Engagement projects in Yakima County:

  • Know Your Government
  • Service Learning
  • Civic Engagement

Learn more about 4-H Civic Engagement programs from National 4-H