I remember proudly entering my orange cookies at the local fair, hoping for a ribbon from one of the 4-H judges.  I still have my green 4-H hat with the clover emblem.  The white Hs emblazoned on the four leaves represent Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.  The white symbolizes purity. The green represents nature, youth, life, and growth.  For me, the emblem on my green hat symbolizes memories of good times and hard work.
        The purpose of the 4-H program is to assist young people in realizing their full potential and to help them develop a positive image of themselves. Membership in 4-H, the largest youth organization in the world, is open to ages 5–19.
        The seed of the 4-H idea of practical and “hands-on” learning came from the desire to make public school education more connected to rural life.  Adults in turn-of-the-century farming communities were reluctant to accept new agricultural discoveries, but young people would “experiment” with these new ideas and then share their experiences and successes with adults.  Rural youth programs became a way to introduce new agriculture technology to adults. A.B. Graham started one such youth program in Ohio in 1902.  It is considered the birth of the 4-H program in the U.S.  In Idaho, 4-H started in 1912.
        The 4-H lineup has expanded beyond rural interests.   Recently a 4-H club participated in an Idaho film contest called I-48, in which the team had to make a short film in only 48 hours.  There are opportunities for young people to explore all kinds of activities, from aerospace and robotics to archery and photography.  Whatever your interest is, there is probably a 4-H club that is right for you.
        Many prominent Idahoans were 4-H members including Governor Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter, former Representative Jana Kemp, former Senator Larry Craig, former First Lady Patricia Kempthorne, Director of Agriculture Celia Gould, Canyon County Commissioner David Ferdinand, Judge Juneal Kerrick, and Senator Patty Anne Lodge.
        Jana Kemp credits 4-H with preparing her for business. “4-H is a powerful program for youth, families, and adults. My meeting-skills training company grew out of learning how to run 4-H club and county meetings. My trip to Washington D.C. with a 4-H high school award is what planted the seed to run for public office someday.”                                 Kemp adds: “When people ask me where I gained my public speaking skills, my singular answer is ‘4-H’ because I didn’t participate in debate or speech at my high school.  Additionally, 4-H taught me project management and timeliness skills so well, that sometimes I find the ‘real-world’ to be less than capable on these two fronts.”   Kemp was a “Friend of Ada County 4-H” and a statewide “Friend of 4-H” during the last decade.  Kemp’s father, Jim Kemp, was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame in October 2009 with a lifetime award.
        Country music stars who are 4-H alumni are featured on a CD available through National 4-H.  The Clover Country CD  features 11 hit songs from 4-H alumni such as  Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen of Alabama, Luke Bryan, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, and Grammy-award winning songwriter Hillary Lindsey—who recently recorded her new song “The Clown” just for Clover Country.
        Nancy Shelstad, the 4-H Extension Educator at Canyon County Extension in Caldwell, comes from a family of 4-H participants.  Both her mother and grandmother were long-time volunteers.

      The Western Idaho Fair at Expo Idaho in Boise (August 17–24) sees 75 percent of Ada County 4-H members participating in contests and activities. For more information, contact Brian Luckey, the 4-H Educator in Ada County at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

        If you don’t know much about 4-H, check it out.  There are 4-H clubs that explore almost everything you can think of.

For more information about 4-H in the Treasure Valley

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Pamela Kleibrink Thompson participated in 4-H when she was a kid and was surprised at the diverse programs and leadership opportunities 4-H now offers. She moved to Idaho three years ago and enjoys seeing all the livestock, barns and farms, instead of freeways and congestion and graffiti.