Muskegon County 4-H (MSU Extension)

Mission: To provide fun, educational opportunities that empower young people with skills to lead for a lifetime and become the foundation for future success.

Michigan 4-H began in 1908 with the creation of corn growing associations in Muskegon and Mason counties that prepared members to compete in a series of corn growing contests in western Michigan. These associations soon evolved into Michigan’s first 4-H clubs.

Today, more than 200,000 young people are involved in 4-H programs statewide, with projects ranging from communication, health, and citizenship to the environment, science, engineering, and technology.

Michigan 4-H is growing current and future leaders. The largest youth development organization in Michigan, 4-H provides more than 200,000 youth people with experiential learning opportunities to explore new interests and discover their passion.

4-H brings young people and adult volunteers together to learn new skills, explore new opportunities and meet new friends.

Based on the experiential learning model, youth in 4-H participate in specific program areas through the learn-by-doing approach. In addition to gaining valuable content knowledge, this model teaches 4-H members critical life skills such as goal-setting, self-discipline, conflict resolution and teamwork that directly contributes to the communities they live in. The growth of these life skills are just one of the many positive youth development outcomes that occur from youth’s participation in 4-H and result in a direct impact on not only themselves but others youth interact with as well.