Purpose: Agriculture-related jobs are becoming less attractive to adolescents in South Korea. In this situation, this study aimed to analyze the process of formation of career intention in the agricultural sector in relation to cognitive and emotional variables. In addition, the moderating effects of 4-H experience was analyzed. Design: Moderated mediating effect analysis was conducted to the 4-H experience on the relationships between perceived values of agriculture, attachment and career intention. The data were gathered by stratified, cluster and proportional sampling of middle and high school students. A number of 769 questionnaires were used for the analysis after data cleaning. Finding: Youths fully perceived the value of agriculture, but they did not have high levels of emotional bonds to agriculture and agricultural career intention. Perceived values of agriculture had a significant positive influence on the formation of agricultural career intention through the mediation of agricultural attachment. 4-H experience had significant moderated effects on the formation of agricultural career intention. Practical implication: In terms of the operation of the 4-H program, in order to form agricultural career intention, it is necessary to operate differentiated program according to the youth's perceptions and attachment level of agriculture. Theoretical implications: This study is meaningful in that it identified agricultural career intention through the relationship between cognitive and emotional factor based on behavioral theories. Originality/values: This study demonstrates the values of 4-H activities which facilitate the formation of agricultural career intention for youths in a situation where interest in 4-H is diminishing.