Head. Heart. Hands. Health. These words are the core of 4-H’s name, its emblem, and its pledge.
As early as 1908, Cooperative Extension’s Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs in Iowa had used a clover as their emblem. By 1911, a four-leaf clover bearing an H on each leaf representing “Head, Heart, Hands and Health” had become the designated emblem for these clubs. The words “4-H Club” were first found in a Federal report published in 1920.
It is the responsibility of USDA NIFA and Extension to ensure consistent and correct use of the 4-H Name and Emblem by all levels of Extension staff, 4-H participants and 4-H volunteers.
Official Name
The official 4-H Name includes 4-H, 4-H Youth Development and 4-H Youth Development Program. When using the term “4-H,” it is to be written as numeral “4,” separated from a capital “H” with a hyphen (not a dash, slash or space).
Official Emblem
The official 4-H Emblem is a green four-leaf clover with a white letter “H” in each leaf and the stem turned to the right. The Emblem may be two-dimensional (flat) or three dimensional (with shadows that show depth and perspective). The 4-H Emblem may not be altered in any way and must be used in its entirety.
For questions about the 4-H Name and Emblem and correct usage, contact 4HNE@usda.gov.
Official Pledge
At the first National 4-H Camp in Washington, D.C., in 1927, the 4-H pledge, written by Otis Hall, a Kansas Extension state leader, was adopted. This pledge remained the same until 1973 when the words "and my world" were added to the ending.
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service, and
my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country and my world.