More and more developmentally disabled adults who in the past were institutionalized are now being returned or kept in their communities. Often there are few appropriate alternatives in education to handle their needs. This thesis examines an alternative that has great promise asan appropriate approach to the learning needs of the developmentally disabled adult.Using 4-H concepts as a lifelong education alternative, Elkhart County has demonstrated the success of an informal and flexible educational program that can be offered for as long as the developmentally disabled adult wishes.As a pilot program for the past four years, 4-H has continued to grow in areas of enrollment, projects selected, community awareness, personal growth, state and national interest.This paper takes into account the problems, successes, leadership requirements, materials adaptations, and career development of both youth and adults.Much work remains to be done in the area of lifelong educational alternatives for the developmentally disabled adult so that each person continues to grow through his/her life. The recommendations given in the final chapter suggest avenues leading to this end.