4-H and Youth

4-H is a positive youth development program that prepares youth to be ready for work and life. Through the University of Vermont Extension programs, 4-H helps hundreds of young people in our community be Beyond Ready with the technical skills and life skills that prepare them for whatever comes their way.

National Index of 4-H Youth Study

The National 4-H Index Study provides a snapshot of how youth in 4-H programs across the country are doing, measuring their experiences, learning, and growth through participation. The 2025 study showed that Vermont 4-H youth rated their program, their 4-H experience, and their 4-H leaders higher in every metric than the national mean.

This study built on the former positive results of Vermont's 4-H program ratings in the 2022 and 2023 studies, reaffirming the strong connection between 4-H experiences and key developmental outcomes outlined in the 4-H Thriving Model.

• Explore Vermont’s 4-H Index Study Results (PDF)

• 2025 National Index Study Results (PDF)