Each club chooses whether to charge dues. 4-H became an official part of the Cooperative Extension Service, along with agriculture and home economics, at about the time Cooperative Extension was officially established by the US Congress in 1914. 4-H is an American idea that has spread around the world. Volunteers are the key to providing 4-H programs for youth. Capable, interested adult volunteers are always needed to lead clubs and to assist with 4-H activities.
Orientation is provided, so no previous experience is necessary.
There are various county 4-H support and advisory groups made up of interested adult volunteers. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924. In addition, more than 80 countries around the world have youth programs similar to 4-H, with an overall enrollment of about 10 million young people. 4-H is in every county in the state. In California, thousands of members are in hundreds of local 4-H clubs.