About the Foundation

The Farm, Home, & Youth Foundation

Established in 1984, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that owns and operates the Farm, Home, & Youth Complex (formerly known as the Montgomery County 4-H Center) in Collegeville, PA. The Foundation donates use of the facilities to the numerous county 4-H clubs that are based in Montgomery County. This includes animal science clubs like livestock, beekeeping, seeing eye puppy club, and poultry as well as horse science clubs, and community clubs like sewing and crafting. Proceeds from public events that are hosted by the Foundation go directly to the maintenance and repair of the buildings and grounds, in support of the 4-H clubs that call the Complex home. We are a private non-profit and do not receive any government funding or funding from Penn State/4-H.

Our Mission - To provide office and meeting facilities and financial support for the Montgomery County 4-H Program

Our History

In 1984, Skippack Elementary School and 9 acres were purchased from Perkiomen Valley School District to create a 4-H Center which would provide facilities for the 4-H clubs as well as other youth and educational facilities.

A non-profit organization was formed under the name Montgomery County Farm, Home and 4-H Foundation and a board of volunteers was assembled to take on the huge task of raising funds to pay for the expansive renovations the dated building required.

One major goal of the Foundation was to assemble the various agencies in the county that dealt with agriculture, making a one-stop location for the farming community. Two other pressing issues were to relocate the Cooperative Extension offices from their present site in Norristown and to provide meeting space for the numerous 4-H activities and meetings in the county.

The generosity of local businesses, individuals and government officials was overwhelming, allowing the office space to be renovated within the first year and the meeting rooms opened the following year. Prior to the Creamery (Skippack Township) location, the 4-H clubs met in an old chicken house in Lansdale, Towamencin Township. This was sold and proceeds were put toward the renovations of the new center.

Additional land was purchased from the State Correctional Institute at Graterford and signed over to the 4-H Foundation in December of 1987 by Governor Thornburgh, bringing the property to just in excess of 20 acres.

Several years ago, the Montgomery County Farm, Home and 4-H Foundation reorganized as a 501(c)(3) entity under the name Farm, Home, and Youth Foundation of Montgomery County. The building the Foundation owns is now known as the Farm, Home & Youth Complex (formerly Montgomery County 4-H Center). The complex provides a home for 4-H activities and events. In addition, the Complex also has office space, meeting rooms, and outside facilities available to rent.

At present, a twelve member volunteer board provides leadership for the Farm, Home & Youth Complex.