4-H Youth Development programs are designed to develop youth into confident, competent, and caring citizens.  Starting youth early can make a difference; therefore, Boyd County 4-H began a Cloverbud Club 12 years ago.

Although known by various names around the country (e.g., Cloverkids or 4-H Prep), Ohio adopted the name "4-H Cloverbuds" for its youngest 4-H members when the program officially began in 1994.  Cloverbud club enrolls students ages 5-8 years old.  The goal of 5-to-8-year-old programming is to promote healthy development in children by enhancing life skills (social- interaction, self-esteem, physical mastery, making choices, and learning to learn). The Boyd County 4-H Cloverbud Club has become a very popular club.

The Boyd County 4-H Cloverbud’s have a member who began when he was 5 years old and enjoyed the club so much that he asked if he could bring his family.  The family attended and the mother told the 4-H agent that they used the club time as family time instead of using electronics or watching television. Their daughter was only 2 at the time the young son joined.  The family continued membership in the 4-H Cloverbud club through the boy’s 9^th birthday.  At the time of his 9^th birthday, the boy asked if he could continue to come to 4-H Cloverbud Club because he “wanted to stay and help his younger sister and help the other members learn 4-H.”    The son’s mother also asked if he could continue so that they could continue the family time.  The mother also testified that her son’s confidence and social skills with other students had improved “tremendously” because of 4-H Cloverbud Club.  The 4-H Agent was more than happy to allow the family to continue in the club and utilizes the 9 year old as a “helper” with all the other members.

This young 4-H member is well on his way to a confident, competent, and caring citizen of Boyd County.   He has proved that over the last 6 years.