25 Market St Aberdeen, SD 57401
Office Hours 8:00-5:00 M-F
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
A world in which youth and adults learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.
To Make the Best Better.
Green – symbolizes nature’s most common color and represents life, springtime and youth White – symbolizes purity.
Otis Hall, State Leader of Kansas, was responsible for the original wording of the 4-H pledge. When the Executive Committee of the Land-Grant Association requested Dr. R.A. Pearson, President of Iowa State College, and Dr. A.C. True of the Federal Extension Service to write a pledge for 4-H, they submitted a pledge substantially as written by Hall. At the first National 4-H Club Camp in 1927, the State 4-H leaders officially adopted the 4-H pledge. This pledge remained unchanged until 1973, when in response to request from a number of states, including a recommendation from 4-H members attending National 4-H Conference, the pledge was changed to include “my world.” The Extension Committee on Organization and Policy officially approved this change in 1973. The pledge is said at each 4-H club meeting along with the U.S. flag pledge.
Youth between the ages of 8 and 19 are eligible for enrollment in 4-H. Youth must be 8 years of age on or before January 1 of the current 4-H year to enroll. Youth turning 19 on or before January of the current 4-H year are no longer eligible for 4-H membership.