4H Overview

The program combines the cooperative efforts of youth, volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state-local governments, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4-H programs are conducted in 3,150 counties of the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, and Northern Mariana Islands.

Nationally, the 4-H program is managed by the Families, 4-H and Nutrition unit of NIFA of the USDA and operated in the location of 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-2225.

The Data Collection Process

Each year, states collect data from all of their local counties on the ES-237 form and the aggregated report is sent to NIFA of the USDA electronically (via web form) or hard copy.

The 4-H program, which is managed by the Families, 4-H and Nutrition unit of NIFA, collects and maintains the aggregated number of 4-H units and number of youth participants by categories who enroll and participate in 4-H educational program by each state every year in a Paradox database.

Data Collection Focus

For Youth and Unit

• 4-H Organized Clubs
• Special Interest Programs
• Overnight Camping Programs
• School Enrichment Programs
• School-aged Child Care Programs
• Individual Study
• Instructional TV Programs
• By School Grades
• By Place of Residence
• By National Initiative
• By Racial-Ethnic Youth
• Adult and Youth Volunteers By Race and Classification of Service
• By Subjects/Projects/Learning Experiences Using Curriculum Classification.

The 4-H database measures the enrollment and volunteer outcomes of the 4-H Program.