# USDA 4-H Club Name and Emblem — Federal Rules Governing Use of the 4-H Brand - 18 U.S.C. § 707 — Federal criminal statute imposing penalties for unauthorized commercial use of the 4-H Club name, emblem, or motto - 5 U.S.C. § 301 — Departmental regulations authority; authorizes - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/wiki/usda-4h-club-name-emblem - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Domain: Agriculture - Category: Agricultural Programs — Youth & Education - Page type: topic - U.S. Code anchor: none - Last verified: not recorded ## Article ## Legal Authority - **18 U.S.C. § 707** — Federal criminal statute imposing penalties for unauthorized commercial use of the 4-H Club name, emblem, or motto - **5 U.S.C. § 301** — Departmental regulations authority; authorizes USDA to issue rules governing departmental activities including cooperative extension programs - **7 CFR Part 8** — USDA implementing regulations specifying authorized uses of the 4-H name and four-leaf clover emblem; defines permissible program use versus commercial licensing requirements ## Key Mechanics **7 CFR Part 8** governs use of the federally protected 4-H Club name, four-leaf clover emblem, and motto ("To Make the Best Better"), all protected under **18 U.S.C. § 707** against unauthorized commercial use. The 4-H brand is administered through the Cooperative Extension System (a federal-state-county partnership with land-grant universities); authorized use is for official 4-H youth development programs. Commercial entities must obtain a license from the National 4-H Council — USDA's authorized commercial licensing agent — to use the 4-H name or emblem in commercial contexts; unlicensed commercial use is a federal crime. Part 8 distinguishes permissible non-commercial use by 4-H members and clubs (displaying the emblem, using the name in program activities) from commercial uses requiring licensing. The 4-H emblem has been federally protected since 1939 and the criminal penalty statute dates to 1948, making it one of the most durable federal trademark-protection regimes in U.S. law. ## Current Rule (2026) | Parameter | Value | |-----------|-------| | Citation | 7 CFR Part 8 | | Issuing agency | USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) | | Statutory authority | 18 U.S.C. § 707 (criminal penalties for unauthorized use); 5 U.S.C. § 301 | | Last major amendment | 76 FR 4803 (January 2011) | ## What This Rule Does The 4-H clover — a green four-leaf clover with the letter "H" in white or gold on each leaflet — is one of the most recognized youth development symbols in America. Congress federally protected the 4-H name and emblem through 18 U.S.C. § 707, making unauthorized use a federal crime. USDA holds the 4-H brand in trust for the public through the Cooperative Extension Service, a national network connecting USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), state land-grant universities, and county Extension offices. Seven CFR Part 8 establishes who can use the 4-H name and emblem, under what conditions, and who grants permission. The rule balances two interests: protecting the integrity and educational mission of the 4-H program from commercial exploitation, and allowing legitimate partnerships with businesses and organizations that can support 4-H's work with young people. ## What the 4-H Brand Covers The 4-H Club Name and Emblem includes: - The **green four-leaf clover with stem**, with the letter "H" in white or gold on each leaflet (or any close imitation) - The words **"4-H Club," "4-H Clubs,"** or any similar imitation ## Key Provisions - **§ 8.1** — Policy: NIFA (and the broader Cooperative Extension Service) welcomes collaboration with groups whose interests, products, or services can support 4-H's educational work with youth - **§ 8.2** — Delegation: the Director of NIFA may authorize use of the 4-H name and emblem, but only in accordance with the rules in Part 8; authorization authority may be delegated to state and county Extension offices for local activities - **§ 8.3** — Definitions: the "Cooperative Extension Service" means the entire Extension system — NIFA at the federal level, the State Cooperative Extension Services at land-grant universities, and the County Cooperative Extension Services; "4-H Club Name and Emblem" is defined broadly to capture close imitations, not just exact copies - **§ 8.4** — Trust principle: the 4-H name and emblem are held in trust by the Secretary of Agriculture; they may only be used for the educational and character-building purposes of 4-H; USDA employees are specifically prohibited from personally profiting from 4-H name or emblem use - **§ 8.5** — Existing authorizations: prior authorizations to use the 4-H name and emblem issued before September 16, 1985 were revoked on that date; holders of those authorizations could apply for renewal; this provision eliminates legacy arrangements that predate the current regulatory framework - **§ 8.6** — Authorization criteria: the NIFA Director may grant permission for educational or informational uses that benefit 4-H and can be monitored by Extension; youth services that the Extension network endorses may also be authorized; commercial product uses require specific approval with conditions - **§ 8.7** — Who may use without authorization: only the Cooperative Extension Services (state and county), land-grant colleges, local 4-H clubs, and other 4-H organizations officially recognized by USDA and the Extension Service may use the 4-H name or emblem without requesting individual authorization - **§ 8.8** — Commercial separation requirement: in any advertisement, display, or publication, the 4-H name/emblem must be kept clearly separate from commercial product messages; the materials must not include endorsements or testimonials for specific businesses or products; the 4-H mark cannot be used to imply USDA or Extension endorsement of a commercial product - **§ 8.9** — Fundraising authorization: use of the 4-H name or emblem in any fundraiser requires advance approval; the approving authority depends on geography — county-level fundraisers require county Extension approval; multi-county or statewide fundraisers require state Cooperative Extension Service approval; national fundraisers require NIFA Director approval ## How It Affects You **If you are a business that wants to use the 4-H brand** — for a co-branded product, a sponsored event, a promotional campaign, or any commercial activity — you must obtain prior written authorization from NIFA or the appropriate state/county Extension office. Unauthorized commercial use of the 4-H name or emblem is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 707, carrying fines and potential imprisonment. **The "no endorsement" rule is strictly enforced.** Even if you sponsor a 4-H event or make a donation to the program, the 4-H name and emblem cannot appear on your product packaging or advertising in a way that implies USDA or Extension endorsement of your product. Keep sponsorship acknowledgments separate from product promotion. **Local 4-H clubs and county Extension offices** can use the name and emblem without additional authorization for their regular educational programs, events, and publications. They do not need to request individual permission for each use — they are authorized users under § 8.7. **Fundraisers require advance approval at the appropriate level.** A local 4-H club selling merchandise in one county needs county Extension approval. A state 4-H foundation running a statewide campaign needs state Extension approval. A national organization running a 4-H-branded fundraiser needs NIFA Director approval. Start the approval process well before your fundraiser launch date. **The criminal penalty backstop is real.** 18 U.S.C. § 707 makes it a federal misdemeanor to use the 4-H name, emblem, or any simulation without authorization. Enforcement is handled by USDA's Office of Inspector General in coordination with DOJ. ## Statutory Authority This rule implements: - **18 U.S.C. § 707** — Federal criminal statute protecting the 4-H name and emblem from unauthorized use; establishes USDA's authority to control use of the mark and makes unauthorized use a federal crime - **5 U.S.C. § 301** — General departmental rulemaking authority; authorizes USDA to issue regulations for the conduct of its programs and the use of property under its jurisdiction ## Recent Rulemakings - **76 FR 4803 (January 2011)** — Updated Part 8 to reflect NIFA's replacement of the former Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) as the federal agency managing the national Extension and 4-H programs - **60 FR 52293 (1995)** — Prior amendment updating definitions and authorization procedures ## Pending Action ## Sources - [USDA 4-H Club Name and Emblem — Federal Rules Governing Use of the 4-H Brand on PolicyRisk](https://policyrisk.com/wiki/usda-4h-club-name-emblem) ## Related - [cooperative extension service](https://policyrisk.com/wiki/cooperative-extension-service) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/wiki/usda-4h-club-name-emblem (as of 2026-11-01).