University of California 4-H Youth Development Program

Group of Primary youth sitting next to each other on a bleacher

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4-H Transforms Lives

April 14th, 2025

Ashley, one of our California 4-H State Ambassadors, is now a semi-finalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation undergaduate scholarship! She attributes this opportunity to her involvement in 4-H. Her TikTok video shares more about her 4-H experience and opportunity, and she wants to especially thank the…

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Adult pointing at laptop screen in front of youth

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Beyond Ready for STEM because of 4-H

February 5th, 2025

By Eve S Dowdell

Cody Dowdell, a California 4-H alumni, is in the STEM track at Modesto Junior College. He is expanding his understanding of engineering in particular as an electrical engineering major. Cody credits 4-H as the foundation for where he is today.

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A 4-H Avian Bowl Championship Story

February 5th, 2025

By Samuel Belik

Story by Samuel Belik of the California 4-H Avian Bowl team competing at the 2024 National 4-H Avian Bowl competition in Louisville, KY.

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Megna holding sign saying "Wild Blueberry Land"

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Beyond Ready with the SLC Planning Team

October 4th, 2024

By Megna Nayar

Megna Nayar is a 4-H Alumna and former State Ambassador from Santa Clara County. She writes about how being a State Leadership Conference (SLC) Planning Team member is a rewarding, but challenging role.

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Empowering Youth Voices: My Journey Facilitating the National Academy's Out-of-School Time Setting Meeting in D.C.

July 5th, 2024

By Suzanne Morikawa, Eve S Dowdell

CA 4-H Communications Intern Eve Dowdell shared her experience facilitating a meeting for the Committee on Out of School Time settings, hosted by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The meeting in Washington, D.C. included testimonials from youth and adult leaders from various…

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Postcard to promote Mustang Camp. Images of wild horses standing in an open range. Registration is Open! Scan QR code for link

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2024 DG Colt Challenge Update

June 4th, 2024

By Laura K Snell

Hello All, I just wanted to give a little update on the 2024 DG Colt Challenge. This is our fifth year completing this program. There are 19 youth from 14 counties in California and Southern Oregon.

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flyer for Project Leader Workshop series

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Preparing 4-H Volunteer Educators as Project Leaders

May 31st, 2024

By Steven Worker

California 4-H relies on and recognizes adult 4-H volunteer educators who bring knowledge, experience, and passion to work with youth.

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Against a backdrop of hay bales, 5 youth hold ribbons and posters of their contest placing. Kneeling in front of them is an adult coach and 2 youth holding ribbons.

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4-H Highlights from the UC Davis CA&ES Field Day

May 31st, 2024

By Erica A Pettey

Ten 4-H counties participated in the UC Davis College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Field Day on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The 4-H teams competed in contests on Vet Science and Light Horse Judging, as well as the State Qualifier for 4-H Livestock Judging.

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2 adults stand with 5 youth holding a large calendar poster

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Ventura County 4-H'ers Take Avian Bowl State Title

May 31st, 2024

By Erica A Pettey

The 2024 Avian Bowl 4-H State Qualifier Contest was held during the Greater Society of Poultry Fanciers' Show at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The 2024 Avian Bowl State Champion Team is led by Zuzu H., Ean R., Samuel B., and Melanie S. from Ventura County 4-H.

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2024 Higher Education Scholarships

May 10th, 2024

By Eve S Dowdell

You all are dedicated and passionate about pursuing academic or vocational education at a higher level. See the stupendous recipients below. This scholarship is given to students pursuing any field of scholastic endeavor.

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4-H Member to 4-H Alumna to 4-H Intern

May 10th, 2024

By Suzanne Morikawa

Editor's Note: At this time of year, Senior 4-H'ers are graduating out of high school and into their next step in life.

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Congratulations to our Golden Clover Awardees!

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2023-2024 Golden Clover Awardees

May 9th, 2024

By Eve S Dowdell

The CA 4-H Golden Clover Awards recognize outstanding achievements of members, volunteers, program staff, and groups within the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. This 4-H year, we awarded nine awards to youth, adults, and groups.

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2024 National Horse Classic - team photo

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California 4-H Horse Classic Team Excels at National Western Roundup

March 22nd, 2024

By Erica A Pettey

The California 4-H Horse Classic Team traveled to Denver, CO in January to represent California 4-H at the National Western Roundup.

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2024 California 4-H Camp Conference at Redwood Glen, Loma Mar, CA
Mission Possible-Join us Mar. 8 thru Mar. 10

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Mission Possible: 2024 Camping Conference

January 26th, 2024

Your mission, if you so choose to accept it, is Anything is Possible! Do you want to take your camp experience to the next level? Are you a camp staff, leader, or director looking to refresh your camp program?

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Lily with her ribbon and jewelry box awards for Overall Champion of National Fashion Revue

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Journey to Victory at the 4-H FCS National Championship

January 26th, 2024

I'm Lily Q from Contra Costa County and I was declared the Overall Champion of the National Fashion Revue Constructed Category at the 4-H Family & Consumer Science (FCS) National Championship 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. I have a passion for sewing and fashion.

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Growth, Learning, and Victory: California 4-H Excels at NJHA 2023

October 17th, 2023

Our California 4-H Horticulture Team headed to Kalamazoo, Michigan on October 6th to participate in the 2023 National Junior Horticultural Association (NJHA) annual convention. The event included teams from all over the country.

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Six 4-H youth in the Congressional offices rotunda in Washington D.C.

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Empowering 4-H'ers: California Delegation's Impactful Trip to D.C.

October 2nd, 2023

This April, five of us California 4-H'ers traveled to Washington D.C. for the 2023 National 4-H Conference.

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Diamond Clover Awards - This award is the highest achievement for which a 4-H youth member or young alum is recognized!

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4-H Diamond Clover Award 2023 Winners!

July 31st, 2023

By Eve S Dowdell

We are so proud of this year's Diamond Clover awardees. They've been developing their 4-H career for years to earn this award. We congratulate them for their commitment to and passion for the 4-H program. Each of the six awardees have dedicated over seven years of service and leadership to 4-H.

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4-H Golden Clover Awards-this award recognizes outstanding achievements of individuals & groups in the 4-H program.

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Let's celebrate our Special Edition Golden Clover Award Winners!

July 21st, 2023

By Eve S Dowdell

The 2023 University of California 4-H Golden Clover Awards recognize outstanding achievements of members, volunteers, program staff, and groups within the UC 4-H Youth Development Program.

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Article

DG Colt Challenge Update

May 18th, 2023

I just wanted to give a little update on the 2023 Devil's Garden (DG) Colt Challenge. We had 40 youth in 4-H and FFA enroll in the program from 18 counties all over California.

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Welcome to the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program!

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program (California 4-H) helps kids find their spark, build real world skills and become resilient, adaptable, lifelong learners.

We welcome youth ages 5 to 18 and adult volunteers to join and become part of the largest youth development program in the nation. California 4-H is delivered in every county through the UC Cooperative Extension offices.

Together, we are preparing youth to be our community's future.

All are welcome here

California 4-H is committed to creating spaces where all young people can grow and thrive.

4-H'ers are 2x more positive about wellbeing

4-H'ers are 2x more likely to report feeling competent

Our goal is to help California youth thrive!

The 4-H Thriving Model of Positive Youth Development is based on research that shows that youth in 4-H programs with a high-quality, safe and caring environment will grow and thrive. Thriving youth can reach essential life goals. Learn more about the 4-H Thriving Model.

Together, we are working towards creating a future where we all belong.

And we’re doing that at all levels of our organization.

Learn More about how we're creating Opportunity for all

Contribute for a Better Future

Make a Gift

Upcoming Events

May 4 2025 - May 8 2025

Virtual State Presentations

Image Virtual State PresentationsMay 4, 1-3 pmMay 5 to 8, 6-8 pmThe annual California 4-H State Field Day event connects 4-H members, families and volunteers…

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May 17 2025

California 4-H State Field Day

State Field DayMay 17, 2025UC Davis CampusSee the Event Site: https://bit.ly/4-H-State-Field-DayThe annual California 4-H State Field Day event connects 4-H members, families and volunteers for a…

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May 18 2025

California 4-H State Field Day Awards Ceremony

Image The California 4-H State Ambassadors will be presenting the results from the 2025 State Field Day contests, live on the California 4-H YouTube channel. Log in…

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Jul 16 2025 - Jul 20 2025

California 4-H Horse Classic

We are excited to host the 29th annual California 4-H (CA 4-H) Horse Classic State Show and Educational Contests at Brookside Show Park in Elk Grove, CA again this year. The primary purpose of…

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Office Locations

State 4-H Office

2801 Second Street
Davis, CA 95618
United States

Phone

(530) 750-1334

ca4H@ucanr.edu

Personnel

Stephanie L Barrett

4-H Regional Program Coordinator

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Whitney Bell

4-H Analyst

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3

Vera M Bullard

UC 4-H Regional Program Coordinator - Region Six, serving Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Tuolumne counties

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Jose A Campos

Regional Program Super: University of California 4-H YDP Region 8

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Zeva F Cho

4-H Statewide Program Manager

CMTY EDUC MGR 1

Ryan P Cleland

4-H Community Education Specialist II

CMTY EDUC SPEC 2

Jenna Colburn

Statewide 4-H Leadership & Civic Engagement CES III

CMTY EDUC SPEC 4

Trisha Dinh

Business Manager, YFC, Master Gardeners & Master Food Preservers

ADMIN OFCR 4

Eve S Dowdell

STDT 3 NON UC

Kathy Fessler

Administrative Program Assistant

BLANK AST 3

Jennifer A Henkens

4-H CE Supervisor 1 - Region 5 (Sacramento, Solano, Yolo)

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Kimberly Holmes

Statewide 4-H Director

ACADEMIC COORD III-FY

Larissa L Leavens

4-H Data Systems Analyst

DATA SYS ANL 2

Alexandra Lemmer

4-H Youth Development Healthy Living Academic Coordinator II

ACADEMIC COORD II-FY

Diego A Mariscal

4-H Regional Program Coordinator (Region 4)

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Scott C Mautte

Community Education Specialist III for Volunteer & Staff Development

CMTY EDUC SPEC 3

Gemma M Miner

Interim 4-H Assistant Director

ACADEMIC COORD II-FY

Suzanne Morikawa

4-H Marketing and Communications Specialist

COMM SPEC 3

Kaitlyn A Murray

PhD, Community Engagement and Youth Outreach Academic Coordinator

ACADEMIC COORD II-FY

Erica A Pettey

Statewide 4-H Animal and Equine Science CES III

CMTY EDUC SPEC 3

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty

Director for County Cooperative Extension

COOP EXT ADVISOR

Constance L Schneider

UC Cooperative Extension Academic Emeritus

NON-SENATE ACAD EMERITUS(WOS)

Ana M Torres

4-H YDP Regional Program Supervisor

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Susan J Weaver

4-H Youth Development Program Regional Coordinator, Region 7

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Jacki Zediker

4-H Regional Program Coordinator (Region 1 & Region 2)

CMTY EDUC SUPV 2

Mary Zoller

4-H Regional Program Coordinator, Region 3

CMTY EDUC SUPV 1

Mission Statement

The University of California 4-H Youth Development Program (California 4-H) engages youth in reaching their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.

California 4-H provides meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to work together to create sustainable community change.