Military readiness through 4-H youth development for youth, families, and communities.

For more than 30 years, the 4‑H Military Partnership (4-HMP) has worked to connect Cooperative Extension’s research-based youth development expertise with the U.S. Department of War Military Community & Family Policy, the U.S. Army Child & Youth Services, the U.S. Department of the Air Force Child and Youth Programs, and the U.S. Navy Child and Youth Programs to ensure military‑connected young people have consistent, high‑quality 4‑H experiences wherever they live.

The 4-HMP has grown from foundational training and curriculum development into a global network that supports military youth on installations and in civilian communities through clubs, camps, STEM learning, workforce readiness programs, deployment support, and extensive professional development for youth program staff.

Through collaborations with military branches, land‑grant universities, and local 4‑H programs, the Partnership strengthens resilience, connection, and healthy development for tens of thousands of military‑connected youth each year, helping them thrive amid the unique challenges of military life.

The Partnership relies on Land Grant University Extension faculty and staff (a 4-H Military Liaison) in every state to serve as a link between the State Cooperative Extension System, Military Service Branches, and 4-H National Headquarters at USDA. The Liaison serves as a coordinator with these partners in support of research based programming for military connected children, youth, and families in the state and globally.