What is 4-H? 
Michigan 4-H is the youth development program of Michigan State University Extension. It provides fun, hands-on educational opportunities that prepare youth for life and work by helping them find their spark, build real world skills and become resilient, adaptable, lifelong learners.
Many people think 4-H is just for kids who live on farms or those interested in raising and selling animals – but that’s not true! Offered in a diverse array of topics, each year more than 100,000 young people, ages 5-19, explore what interests and excites them with Michigan 4-H. In program areas ranging from animals to archery, engineering to entrepreneurship, and leadership to learning to cook, 4-H provides experiences that allow youth to practice and build foundational skills that ready them for the future.
Learn more about Michigan 4-H.
Join 4-H
4-H is building a ready generation in a world of change. With skills learned in 4-H, youth become ready for whatever the future holds: ready to lead, ready to build, ready to serve and ready to contribute to the world around them.
Data shows that compared to their peers, 4-H’ers are:
- 2x more likely to have the goal of being a leader;
- 3x more likely to participate in community service; and
- 2x more likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose.
*Tufts University longitudinal study of Positive Youth Development, 2021
Beyond ready to get started with 4-H? Sign up today!
Volunteer with 4-H
Consider becoming a Michigan 4-H volunteer and help to prepare the next generation. By giving your time, talent and skills, you can help ready youth for whatever the future holds. Give an hour a week, month or year - there are volunteer roles for any skill level, time commitment and interest area.
With your help, more kids will be ready to take on the world. More youth, more community, more ready!
Learn more about becoming a 4-H volunteer!
Current 4-H youth and volunteers
Login to 4-H Online to connect with your local 4-H program!
Oceana County 4-H Events
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        Oct 28Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - October - November 2025October 28, 2025 – November 25, 2025 11:30am-1:00pm ET online Guiding Principles is a FREE online course for parents of toddlers to teens to learn strategies for helping children, parents and families be successful. 
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        Nov 10Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series - November-December 2025November 10, 2025 – December 15, 2025 7:00-8:30pm ET Online The Parent Talk System is a course for caregivers of toddlers to teens to improve communication and provide strategies for raising confident, caring, responsible children. Offered at no cost. 
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        Nov 13Navigating Tough Talks: Conflict Resolution & Civil DiscourseNovember 13, 2025 6:30PM – 7:30PM Zoom webinar In this Adulting 101 webinar, participants will learn how to manage disagreements with respect and open-mindedness. 
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        Nov 18Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series: So you Want to Be a Club Leader? Lets talk!-NoonNovember 18, 2025 12:00PM – 1:00PM Zoom This session breaks down what it really takes to be an effective and inspired club leader—from logistics and communication to culture and connection. 
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        Nov 18Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar Series: So you Want to Be a Club Leader? Lets talk!-7pmNovember 18, 2025 7:00PM – 8:00PM Zoom This session breaks down what it really takes to be an effective and inspired club leader—from logistics and communication to culture and connection. 
Contact Your 4-H Program Coordinator
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        Jennifer Payne4-H Program Coordinator 
 wassonj3@msu.edu
 
