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

Apr 9

Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series - April 2026

April 9, 2026 – May 14, 2026 7:00pm-8:30pmET 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.
Apr 11

2026 4-H and FFA State Horse Judging Contest

April 11, 2026 Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University

This annual contest allows 4-H and FFA youth who participate in horse and pony projects to demonstrate their animal evaluation skills.
Apr 12

2026 Michigan 4-H State Hippology Contest

April 12, 2026 Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University

The annual Michigan 4-H Hippology Contest allows youth in horse and pony projects to test their equine knowledge.
Apr 12

Michigan 4-H Day with the Detroit Tigers

April 12, 2026 1:40PM – 5:00PM First pitch at 1:40 p.m. Comerica Park, Detroit

Join Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension at Comerica Park to watch the Detroit Tigers take on the Miami Marlins! Michigan 4-H will be the Group Charity of the Game and the 4-H community can purchase discounted tickets with a portion benefitting 4-H.
Apr 13

Adulting 101-Eat Smart: Meals on a Budget

April 13, 2026 5:00PM – 6:00PM

In this Adulting 101 session, we’ll share simple tips to plan meals that save money and taste great — plus how to cook once and eat twice!