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

Jun 29

Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series - June-August 2026

June 29, 2026 – August 3, 2026 7:30pm-9:00pm ET 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.
Jun 30

Michigan State Fair 4-H and Youth Virtual Showcase

June 30, 2026 – August 7, 2026

With registration open May 15-August 7, 2026, youth ages 5-19 (as of Jan 1, 2026) can enter projects into the virtual showcase and receive feedback from judges.
Jul 1

Michigan 4-H License Plate Promotion Contest

July 1, 2026 – August 7, 2026

As part of the Michigan State Fair 4-H and Youth Virtual Showcase, Michigan 4-H and the Michigan 4-H Foundation invites youth 8-19 years old (as of Jan 1, 2026) to participate in a fun, hands-on promotion of the Michigan 4-H License Plate!
Jul 1

Michigan 4-H Business Pitch Contest- Sponsored by MSUFCU

July 1, 2026 – August 7, 2026

As part of the Michigan State Fair 4-H and Youth Virtual Showcase, Michigan 4-H and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union invites youth 8-19 years old (as of Jan 1, 2026) to share their business pitch.
Jul 9

Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series - July-August 2026

July 9, 2026 – August 6, 2026 7:00pm-8:30pm 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.