More than a program: For thousands of Ohio youth, 4-H is their first class at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Long before they step into a college classroom, thousands of young Ohioans take their first steps into higher education through a very different gateway: Ohio 4-H.

Each year, more than 155,000 youth across all 88 counties explore leadership, STEM, agriculture, and civic engagement through Ohio 4-H-making it not just a youth development program, but what many consider their very first class at The Ohio State University.

As National 4-H Week is celebrated Oct. 5-11, The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is shining a spotlight on the powerful role 4-H plays in shaping Ohio's future workforce and leaders.

"4-H is a vital part of our land-grant mission. It provides youth across Ohio the opportunity to learn by doing, to discover their purpose, and to develop the leadership skills our communities need," said Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. "4-H may be the first time they connect with Ohio State, but for many, it won't be the last."

Delivered locally through Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of CFAES, Ohio 4-H is supported by a network of nearly 12,000 volunteers and 180 dedicated youth development professionals. Together, they empower young people to grow, serve, and lead.

A week of celebration and service

This year's National 4-H Week theme-Beyond Ready-reflects how 4-H equips youth with real-world skills and the confidence to navigate an ever-changing world. Across Ohio, 4-H members are celebrating in classrooms, barns, town squares, and social media feeds.

On Oct. 6, youth and supporters will "Go Green" by wearing 4-H colors and sharing what the program means to them. On Oct. 9, clubs across the state will join the 4-H For Good Challenge, a national campaign launched in partnership with NBCUniversal's Wicked: For Good. The initiative encourages young people to perform acts of kindness and post them online using #4HForGood.

In Wood County, the spirit of service was already on full display this spring.

More than 600 volunteers participated in the first-ever Hands to Larger Service Day, a countywide event led by Wood County 4-H. Volunteers built beds for families in need, packaged meals for food relief, crafted gifts for nursing homes and veterans, and created toys for shelter animals.

"This initiative showcases how 4-H extends far beyond agriculture," said Ashley Vetter, a local volunteer. "Through hands-on community and leadership projects, 4-H empowers young leaders to make a lasting impact."

Celebrating 4-H's impact-and supporting its future

To help fund opportunities like these, the Ohio 4-H Foundation is hosting its annual Celebration of Youth auction, which launches Oct. 1 at noon and closes Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. The online auction is open to the public at go.osu.edu/coyauction, with items ranging from handmade jewelry to vacation getaways.

Now in its 28th year, Celebration of Youth is the signature fundraising event for Ohio 4-H. While the in-person event is at capacity and closed to additional guests, the online auction welcomes all supporters who want to make a difference.

"The money raised from the Celebration of Youth supports the programming needs in all 88 county programs," said Jeff McCutcheon, interim state 4-H leader with OSU Extension. "It allows our 4-H professionals to provide those high-quality, hands-on learning experiences that help youth succeed."

That statewide impact is only possible with strong community support and investment. For Crystal Ott, Ohio 4-H Foundation director, the fundraiser is not just about dollars raised-it's about opening doors for young people across Ohio.

"Supporting Ohio 4-H means investing in the future of our youth and our communities," Ott said. "Every dollar helps create opportunities for young people to discover their passions, build leadership skills, and make a lasting impact.

"We see firsthand how 4-H empowers kids to grow into confident, capable individuals who are Beyond Ready to lead and serve."

More than a week-a year-round mission

While National 4-H Week is a time of celebration, CFAES leaders emphasize that 4-H's impact goes far beyond one week each fall.

"We are deeply grateful to our Extension professionals who provide leadership and support to Ohio 4-H in counties and statewide, every day," said David Civittolo, interim associate dean and director of OSU Extension. "Their dedication ensures that our youth have access to transformative learning opportunities-helping them grow into the scientists, leaders, and changemakers of tomorrow."

Ohio 4-H is rooted in experiential learning and guided by caring adult mentors-making it a powerful platform for early academic and career exploration. It's also a key priority area for CFAES advancement and outreach, helping to expand access and deepen impact across the state.

As one anonymous donor shared during the Wood County service event, "The 4-H pledge calls us to use our heads for clearer thinking, our hearts for greater loyalty, our hands for larger service, and our health for better living. Our family is honored to give back to an organization that continues to meet real needs and grow the next generation of leaders."

To learn more about Ohio 4-H or get involved, visit ohio4h.org.