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

Jan 7

Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series - January-February 2026

January 7, 2026 – February 11, 2026 11:30am-1pmET 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.
Jan 8

Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - January 2026

January 8, 2026 – February 5, 2026 7:30pm-9:00pm 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.
Jan 15

Healthy Animals, Strong Farms, Biosecurity Training for Service Providers - Frankenmuth

January 15, 2026 1:00PM – 4:00PM Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center 3775 S. Reese Rd. Frankenmuth, MI 48734

MSU Extension, Michigan Food and Farming Systems and the Center for Regional Food Systems have partnered to offer biosecurity training for agricultural service providers
Jan 19

2026 Cash Composition Contest

January 19, 2026 – March 1, 2026

Youth residing in Michigan, age 9-19 (as of January 1, 2026) are encouraged to answer this year’s financial essay question in 300 words or less for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
Jan 21

Adulting 101- Fraud Fighters: How to Stay Scam Free

January 21, 2026 6:30PM – 7:30PM Zoom webinar

As part of the Michigan 4-H Adulting 101 webinar series, this session covers frauds and scams. This workshop breaks down the latest tricks and shows you how to guard your info, your credit, and your peace of mind.