Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
As the calendar turns to October, green clovers begin to pop up in storefronts, schools, and community centers across the country. That’s because October 5–11, 2025, marks National 4-H Week, a time dedicated to celebrating the impact of the nation’s largest youth development program. This year’s theme, Beyond Ready, emphasizes how 4-H equips young people with the skills and experiences they need not only for today, but for the challenges of tomorrow.
4-H is more than local clubs and summer camp. It is a national youth development organization that teaches young people about agriculture, STEM, healthy living, civic engagement, and leadership. The organization gives youth the opportunity to learn by doing. In communities around the country, 4-H’ers can be found leading community service projects, developing scientific experiments, delivering workshops, and presenting at public events.
More than six million youth across the United States participate in 4-H programs each year. With the guidance of dedicated Extension Agents and staff, volunteers, teachers, and mentors, 4-H’ers learn through hands-on experiences that build both practical skills and character. National 4-H Week gives communities a chance to pause and recognize the difference the program makes, from small rural towns to large metropolitan areas.
The 2025 theme, Beyond Ready, encourages 4-H’ers and the adults in their lives to think about their futures and recognize how their experiences today will prepare them for tomorrow. Whether they are raising livestock, coding a robot, planting pollinator gardens, or organizing a fundraiser for their community, 4-H members are learning skills that reach far beyond project work. They are gaining confidence, resilience, and the ability to adapt in an ever-changing world.
For many alumni, the lessons of 4-H extend into careers and civic leadership roles. Local leaders often credit their time in 4-H with teaching them responsibility, time management, and the importance of service. National 4-H Week offers a chance to tell those stories and inspire the next generation.
One of my favorite Georgia 4-H influence stories comes from Georgia native and country singer Jennifer Nettles, who often credits her involvement in 4-H with helping her discover her voice and confidence. In an interview with 4-H.org, Nettles said, “4-H was pivotal in helping me become the leader and the artist I am today. I learned so much about shows, music, putting on a show, building a show … it set the groundwork very early on for what it means to get serious” (4-H.org, 2021).
Nettles became active in her local 4-H club and participated in the performing arts troupe Clovers and Co. Through that program, she was surrounded by peers who shared her dreams and encouraged her on stage and behind the scenes. Her experiences in 4-H fostered her comfort in public performance and leadership roles, qualities that she would carry into her professional career (People.com, 2023).
Over time, Nettles has remained an advocate and public face for the program. Her story is a powerful reminder that the skills learned in 4-H such as creativity, collaboration, and self-confidence can ripple into life’s larger stages (4-H.org, 2021).
As communities celebrate National 4-H Week, local clubs welcome new families to learn more about what 4-H has to offer. The local staff would love to meet your family!