These are the people who bring you 4H and much, much more. Your local Cooperative Extension Office is a must have on any homeschooler's list of resources. Every state has one, they are connected Universities, and although agriculture is an important component it is not by any means the limit of their activities. Services and community assistance offered by Cooperative Extension offices include gardening, home economics, safety, community leadership as well as agricultural issues and more. In NY our local Extension office would identify Deer Ticks taken off my kids and keep the sample tick as part of their data base. They also offered an inoculation clinic for low income families and did blood testing on children for levels of lead.The Delaware Cooperative Extension states that it "connects the public with university knowledge, research and resources to address youth, family, community and agricultural needs." The Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension mission statement states that it "connects the public with university knowledge, research and resources to address youth, family, community and agricultural needs." The Maryland Cooperative Extension describes itself as "a statewide, non-formal education system within the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore... educational programs and problem-solving assistance are available to citizens and are based on the research and experience of land grant universities..."
Today's 4H clubs, are also no longer just an rural agricultural club for kids on farms. I have lead 4H groups whose focus never touch on agriculture at all. In NY we ran an astronomy and rocketry themed club and a theater arts club, as well as a Junior Naturalist club. 4H clubs take place in cities and suburbs and are available to youngsters as cloverbud clubs all the way through teen leadership programs. Homeschoolers are taking advantage of the opportunities afforded under the umbrellas of a 4H club to form co-op of all sorts.Check out the websites for your local Cooperative Offices and see how much these wonderful public service organizations have to offer!
The National Cooperative Extension System
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
Penn State Cooperative Extension
University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
4H USA
