About 4-H

4-H is a positive youth development program delivered by the nation's cooperative extension services that provide experiences where young people learn by doing. Through informal, research-based, experiential educational activities, 4-H members gain knowledge and life skills that enable them to become positive, productive, capable, and compassionate members of their communities.

4-H Basics

4-H is the largest positive youth development organization in the United States!

At the federal level, 4-H is organized as a part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Our parent department in the USDA is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

4-H in Louisiana is administered by the LSU AgCenter and its Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. The LSU AgCenter is part of the Louisiana State University (LSU) System.

4-H Emblem

The green four-leaf clover with a white 'H' on each leaf was officially adopted as the 4-H emblem in 1911 and patented in 1924. The 4-H emblem symbolizes the interactive nature of effective learning and development.

4-H Opportunities

4-H offers opportunities for youth to grow and learn more about themselves and the world around them. 4-H offers youth to attend camps and conferences within the parish, as well as, across the state and country. Youth can receive awards, honors, and scholarships for their hard work during their 4-H career. Lastly, 4-H offers endless opportunities to travel and compete. Members can participate in a Louisiana 4-H-sponsored trip like summer educational trip, Orlando Leadership Institute, 4-H Congress, Citizenship Washington Focus, and much more.

4-H Pledge

I pledge,
my HEAD to clearer thinking,
my HEART to greater loyalty,
my HANDS to larger service,
my HEALTH to better living,
For my club, my community, my country, and my world.

How to Join

The West Feliciana 4-H program offers youth from all backgrounds, walks of life, and interests the opportunity to join 4-H as a 4-H Club member or independent member. 4-H offers membership regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, or disability.

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 4-H year will begin on August 1, 2026. You can find an Enrollment Form on our Events page.

For enrollment questions, contact the West Feliciana Parish Extension Office at 225-635-3614 or contact Katlin Lucas Gordon, 4-H Agent, at klucas@agcenter.lsu.edu or Randi Patin, Administrative Coordinator at rpatin@agcenter.lsu.edu.

The Four H's

HEAD: Problem-solving: the ability to sort out complex problems.

HEART: Emotional development: developing good attitudes toward work and learning; developing acceptance and appreciation of other people.

HANDS: Skills development: the ability to do, skill in doing, and habit of doing.

HEALTH: Physical development: understanding and appreciating physical growth and change.

Types of 4-H Clubs

There are three types of 4-H Clubs youth can participate in:

• School 4-H Clubs - This club type is offered if your child's school has a 4-H Club. This decision is left up to the school administrators. Club meetings take place once a month and are coordinated by a 4-H Club Leader at the school.
• Project Clubs - This type of membership is parish-wide based and is based on youth interest and adult volunteers' willingness to volunteer their time. Project Clubs work on a specific project, such as nutrition, sewing, livestock (including rabbits), horticulture, shooting sports, and much more. Meetings are typically once a month, but can be altered based on nature of project and availability of the volunteer.

Types of Memberships Offered

Three types of membership are offered in East Baton Rouge Parish

• Cloverbud - An age-appropriate, non-competitive experience for youth that targets children from kindergarten through third grade.
• Club Member - 4-H Club members must be in grades 4 through 12. Youth must be at least 9 years old and have not passed their 20th birthday. 4-H Clubs are groups of youth who meet monthly to learn, work on 4-H projects, perform community service, develop leadership skills and work together.
  
• Member-at-Large - This type of membership is offered to those youth who may not have a 4-H Club at their school, reside within the parish but attend school outside the parish, or are homeschooled. Member-at-large can participate in all parish-wide, state and national 4-H events.