The four-leaf clover, traditionally seen as a symbol of good luck and associated with St. Patrick’s Day, is rare in nature, with only about a 1 in 10,000 chance of finding one. This rarity inspired O.H. Benson, an Iowa school superintendent, to adopt the four-leaf clover as the emblem for 4-H, a youth development organization. Initially, the 4-H emblem featured a three-leaf clover representing head, heart, and hands, but in 1911, a fourth leaf was added to symbolize health, replacing the original word “hustle.”

The 4-H clover emblem embodies the organization’s core values of head, heart, hands, and health, emphasizing hands-on learning and personal growth for youth. Since its inception, 4-H has grown into a diverse program offering various activities for children and grandchildren to develop skills and engage in community. Those interested in joining or learning more about 4-H are encouraged to contact their local county Extension office.