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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Sep 9
Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series - September-October 2025
September 9, 2025 – October 14, 2025 11:30am-1:00pm 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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Sep 11
Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar: Planning with Purpose: Designing Your Best 4-H Year Yet-Noon
September 11, 2025 12:00PM – 1:00PM Zoom
This webinar will guide volunteers through seasonal planning, setting goals, and aligning club activities with youth development outcomes.
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Sep 11
Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar: Planning with Purpose: Designing Your Best 4-H Year Yet-7pm
September 11, 2025 7:00PM – 8:00PM Zoom
This webinar will guide volunteers through seasonal planning, setting goals, and aligning club activities with youth development outcomes.
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Sep 11
Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - September-October 2025
September 11, 2025 – October 9, 2025 7:30pm-9:00pm 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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Sep 13
2025 4-H Proud Equestrians Program Instructor Update
September 13, 2025 – September 14, 2025 CHUM Therapeutic Riding, 2180 East Dexter Trail, Dansville, MI 48819
This hands-on workshop will strengthen the Michigan 4-H PEP Program by focusing on safe and impactful therapeutic horsemanship instruction that benefits riders with disabilities, volunteers, and PEP instructors.
Contact Your 4-H Program Coordinator
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Jennifer Payne
4-H Program Coordinator
wassonj3@msu.edu