4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.  It is the oldest and largest youth organization in America.  Marion County 4-H is the youth-development component of the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Service. 

Marion County is proud to have one of the best traditional 4-H programs in the nation!  The backbone of our 4-H program are the 4-H clubs, which are all run by outstanding volunteers. A 4-H club consists of five youth from at least two different families. We have several types of  clubs. There are special interest clubs, for example, steer and horse; school clubs and general clubs.

We provide educational experiences for young people ages 8-18.  We strive to develop life skills in young people as they “learn by doing.”  Our 4-H leaders and our paid staff strive for excellence in youth development, and we would be happy to get you involved in a 4-H Club near you!  We can always use quality adult volunteers to lead clubs, judge 4-H contests, or help with 4-H activities.

We provide many opportunities for local young people.  We still provide the traditional 4-H projects like raising a hog or steer, gardening, participating on judging teams and family and consumer science projects.  We also offer many other interesting projects such as bicycle safety, citizenship, rocketry, wood working, and small engines.  We will be adding a shooting sports program within the next year.  Our goal is life skills development in young people.  This means we want young people to learn how to keep accurate records, speak in public, write legibly and clearly, solve problems, manage money-the list goes on and on!  It doesn’t matter what 4-H project young people choose, because all of our projects teach these and other life skills!  For more information about 4-H, visit the Florida 4-H site.

» 4-H Age Divisions:

»  Ages 5-7 - Cloverbud Division
Children under 8 years of age are ineligible to participate in competitive activities at any level (Club, County, District, State, National or International). 5-7 year olds may exhibit or share project activities at a participation level (for feedback), against a predefined standard. Participation awards should be given to this group, but they should not be involved in Peer Competition.

»  Ages 8-10 - Junior Division
Any 4-Her 8-10 years old as of September 1 of the current 4-H program year is considered a junior. Only junior, intermediate and senior 4-H'ers can participate in large animal projects or activities which involve direct contact with the animal.

»  Ages 11-13 - Intermediate Division
Any 4-H’er 11-13 years old as of September 1 will be considered an intermediate.

»  Ages 14-18 - Senior Division
Any 4-Her 14-18 years old as of September 1 will be considered a senior. Senior level 4-H participation in Florida begins at age 14, but the 4-Her must not have passed their 19th birthday or graduated from high school.