The North Carolina 4-H Council is a group of youth leaders from across the state who work together to represent 4-H members, plan activities, and help guide statewide programs. Council members serve as advocates for 4-H and share ideas from their communities while building leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
State-level youth leadership in North Carolina 4-H dates back to 1920, when the first state officers were elected at a statewide gathering that later became State 4-H Congress.
The State 4-H Council consists of:
one from each county with an active county council
from each of the five Extension districts
elected to represent the program statewide
State Officers lead the council and its statewide efforts, district officers support this work while leading in their districts, and county representatives share ideas and perspectives from their local 4-H programs.
The State Executive Committee consists of State Officers, district officers, the State Council Coordinator, and the State 4-H Leader (or designee).
Current Council Year: 2025–2026
Officer terms follow the 4-H program year and run from July to July.
Become a District Officer
District officers serve a one-year term and represent youth across their district. They work as a team to plan activities, communicate with members, and support 4-H programs across multiple counties.
Applicants must be at least 14 years old (as of Jan. 1 of the current year) and have been a 4-H member for at least 2 years.
District Officer Resources (2026-2027)
Become a State Officer
State Officers serve a one-year term and represent 4-H members across North Carolina. They work together to lead council activities, organize statewide events and service efforts, and serve as youth ambassadors for 4-H across the state.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old (as of Jan. 1 of the current year), have been a 4-H member for at least 3 years, and have served (or currently serve) as a district officer.
State Officer Resources
- State Officer Application (March 2026)
- Applications are due May 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- State Officer Candidate Guidelines (March 2026)
- 2025 Electoral Votes (Updated February 2026)
- Note: The electoral vote totals are labeled 2025, but they apply to the 2026 election year and are used for the current officer election cycle.
- Current Information on Preferential Rating
- Current State 4-H Council Constitution
Theme: Lights. Camera. Action.
As the State 4-H Council theme and theme for the 2026 State 4-H Congress, Lights. Camera. Action. reflects the full 4-H experience through three simple ideas.
“Lights” represents stepping into the spotlight with confidence and embracing personal growth.
“Camera” symbolizes capturing and sharing the stories, experiences, and impact gained through 4-H.
“Action” connects to the Beyond Ready message, emphasizing putting those skills into practice through leadership, service, and real-world experiences that make a difference.
State 4-H Council Officers
State 4-H Council President
State 4-H Council Vice President
State 4-H Council Secretary-Treasurer
State 4-H Council Member Engagement
State 4-H Council Reporter
Contact
