4-H Youth Development
4-H Youth Development
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
What is 4-H?
4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.
Head Managing, Thinking
Heart Relating, Caring
Hands Giving, Working
Health Being, Living
Get Involved with 4-H!
There are many ways to join the fun and make a difference! Interested in volunteering? Contact our office to explore leadership opportunities. Want to enroll a child? Simply complete the yearly enrollment form on 4-H Online.
Stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook for the latest updates on events, deadlines, and opportunities.
Have an idea for a club we don’t currently offer? Gather five interested youth and start a new club today!
2025-2026 Program Year
Our new program year kicks off on September 1, 2025, and we’re excited to offer a variety of clubs and programs once again. Be sure to check your email for our e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook for registration updates!
For more information about 4-H programs and clubs, call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 270-821-3650
Additional Information
Newsletters
How does 4-H benefit youth?
4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:
- Four times more likely to contribute to their communities.
- Two times more likely to be civically active.
- Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.
- Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology programs during out-of-school time.
- 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.
Jacob Brasher
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(270) 821-3650 jake.brasher@uky.edu Hopkins County Extension Office 75 Cornwall Drive, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431-8780Genaea Sarantakos
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(270) 821-3650 genaea.sarantakos@uky.edu Hopkins County Extension Office 75 Cornwall Drive, Madisonville, Kentucky 42431-8780Kentucky Ag Tag Program
Every year when farmers go to renew their farm license plates, they have the opportunity to donate $10 to the “Ag Tag” fund. That $10 donation can make a huge difference for our state’s agriculture youth. Last year, Kentuckians donated almost $612,000 through the Kentucky Ag Tag Fund when they purchased or renewed their farm license plates at their county clerk’s office. That simple “Ag Tag” donation helps invest funds back into our communities to develop locally-grown leaders for Kentucky’s agricultural future.
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