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!

4-H Online

Oceana County 4-H Events

Nov 17

Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - November - December 2026

November 17, 2026 – December 15, 2026 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.
Nov 19

Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar: Growing Money Skills through 4-H

November 19, 2026 12:00PM – 1:00PM Zoom

Michigan 4-H Volunteer Webinar: Growing Money Skills through 4-H
Dec 8

4-H Wild Spartans December

December 8, 2026 6:30PM – 7:30PM

Join us on Tuesday, December 8th, 2026 at 6:30pm EST for “Bees and Butterflies of Michigan.” You will meet Logan Rowe, Zoologist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory.
Jan 12

4-H Wild Spartans January

January 12, 2027 6:30PM – 7:30PM

Join us on Tuesday, January 12th, 2027 at 6:30pm EST for "Michigan Made Management". You will meet Angela Kujawa, wildlife biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Feb 9

4-H Wild Spartans February

February 9, 2027 6:30PM – 7:30PM

Join us on Tuesday, February 9th, 2027 at 6:30pm EST as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! You will meet Shannon Barron, wildlife biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.