The Arkansas 4-H Foundation was founded in 1951, to serve the Arkansas 4-H program that was established in 1908.  Today the 4-H program serves all seventy-five Arkansas counties, through the county offices of the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension.  The 4-H program serves Arkansas youth ages five through nineteen.  Local clubs are led by 4-H volunteers who coordinate their efforts with the Cooperative Extension in their county.  The 4-H program includes more than eighty educational tracks, including science, technology, agriculture, livestock, leadership, and other life skills not taught through the students formal education.  Many 4-H programs are organized within local community clubs that operate outside of school, while others are in the schools.

Offered through the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H’s youth development is based on proven research and 100 years of experience. Sign up for our newsletter Here! Join our alumni search here!

There are over 131,000 students enrolled in Arkansas 4-H program.  Today, more than $50,000 in scholarship funds are awarded to college bound 4-H students.  It is recognized that the 4-H program emphasizes all informal education available to develop a student’s maximum skills throughout their formative years.  In many counties, 4-H provides guidance and career preparedness in youth who have limited access to resources.

A few of the youth education programs are:

The Arkansas 4-H Foundation owns and operates the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Ferndale, Arkansas (near West Little Rock)

Located on 227 acres, the 4-H Center includes a five hundred-seat auditorium, conference rooms, offices, banquet hall, kitchen, gift store, three dormitories, pool, archery and shooting range, and five-acre pond. This facility is utilized by 4-H’ers throughout Arkansas as a camping and outdoor life skill experience.  The 4-H Center employs a staff of thirty and opened to the public in 1980.  In 2001, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation awarded the 4-H Center a $4.5 million expansion grant.  Upgrades to the 4-H Center will begin in 2011.  Dr. Brad Davis is the Executive Director of the Arkansas 4-H Foundation.  Ewell Welch, is the President of the twenty-five member board of directors.   The Arkansas 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.