Skip to main content
Skip to main content
sarasota county extension staff members and 4-h youth interact during a summer camp activity (2024). [credit: uf/ifas extension sarasota county]

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. Over 230,000 members in the State of Florida help to make up the community of more than 6.5 million young people across America. 4-H is a non-formal, practical educational program for youth. Florida 4-H is the youth development program of Florida Cooperative Extension, a part of the University of Florida IFAS. 4-H uses a learn-by-doing approach and caring adults to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens.

Learn more about how Extension is helping create positive change in youth, families, and communities, through the following programs:

a 4-h agent shows youth how to use binoculars to search for wildlife, with all lined up on a pedestrian bridge looking at a natural area.4-H Youth Development

Provides hands-on learning opportunities to area youth through the support of educators, volunteers, and community youth organizations with curricula, training and non-traditional activities focused on citizenship, healthy living, science, technology, engineering and math. Learn more.

Latest 4-H and Youth blog posts

Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – April 2026

Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – April 2026

  Read below to learn about Sarasota County’s council,...

Related Stories

someone dressed as a tree out in a park with a family

Agents of Discovery Goes to the Beach! South County Parks and Preserves in April and May

Agents of Discovery Goes to the Beach! This time around, Agents of Discovery...

Related Stories

Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – March 2026

Sarasota 4-H County Council and Club Updates – March 2026

  Read below to learn about Sarasota County’s council,...

Related Stories