Become a Member!

4‑H is delivered by the Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the nation that provides experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4‑H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better. In 4‑H programs, kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Young people in the 4-H community learn leadership, citizenship, and a vast array of life skills that benefit them for the rest of their lives. Through school-based, after-school, and community clubs as well as camp settings, 4-H members pledge to build a better community, country, and world.

4-H membership is open to all boys and girls, ages 5 to 19 years of age, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, genetic information, or marital or family status.

• Cloverbuds: 5-8 years old

• Juniors: 9-11 years old

• Intermediates: 12-13 years old

• Seniors: 14-19 years old

For each of the above categories youth must turn the entry age during the 4-H year, October 1 through September 30. That is youth who turn 5, 9, 12, and 14, between October 1 and September 30, participate in these respective categories. Eligibility for 4-H membership terminates on December 31 of the year the member has his/her 19th birthday.

Enrollment is now open for the 2020-2021 4-H year.

4-H membership is free - it costs nothing to join and no monetary purchases are required to be a member.

All youth ages 5 - 19 who participate in a minimum of 6 hours of 4-H programming should enroll annually: https://v2.4honline.com

If you would like to learn more about how to enroll, please email:

Autumn Rodman: autumnr@vt.edu