Nebraska 4-H complies with all federal regulations. The following sections are taken directly from federal policy and requirements. More detailed information on each of these areas can be obtained from the 4-H National Headquarters web page: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/4-h-positive-youth-development.
18.1 Fraudulent Use of 4-H Emblem - Public Law 772:
Public Law 772
[CITE: 18USC707]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES CHAPTER 33--EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND NAMES
Sec. 707. 4-H club emblem fraudulently used
Whoever, with intent to defraud, wears or displays the sign or emblem of the 4-H clubs, consisting of a green four-leaf clover with stem, and the letter H in white or gold on each leaflet, or any insignia in colorable imitation thereof, for the purpose of inducing the belief that he is a member of, associated with, or an agent or representative for the 4-H clubs; or
Whoever, whether an individual, partnership, corporation or association, other than the 4-H clubs and those duly authorized by them, the representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture, the land grant colleges, and persons authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture, uses, within the United States, such emblem or any sign, insignia, or symbol in colorable imitation thereof, or the words “4-H Club” or “4-H Clubs” or any combination of these or other words or characters in colorable imitation thereof—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
This section shall not make unlawful the use of any such emblem, sign, insignia or words which was lawful on the date of enactment of this title.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 733; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1) (E), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)
18.2 Title IX and 4-H Youth Development Programs:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) proscribes discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Since Cooperative Extension 4-H Programs receive Federal financial assistance for education programs, they must adhere to USDA regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex.
Consistent with these regulations, no State Extension may have an exclusive or formally sex-segregated 4-H program. Although some individual 4-H clubs attract members of only one sex, this is the result of interests and choice and should not be a requirement of membership.
Gender-specific competitions and awards are not permissible under Title IX of the Educational Amendments enacted by Congress in 1972. This act states:
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
This means that the practice of arranging competitions or awarding trips or other awards, scholarships, etc. on the basis of male or female categories is not acceptable in 4-H Youth Development Programs. In all cases, the requirements for competitions must provide equal access for all youth and must not be designed to create barriers to participation.
Legend
Policy: not negotiable Guidelines: strongly recommended Procedure: recommended implementation steps