What is 4-H?
4-H is a non-formal educational, youth development program offered to individual's age 5 and in kindergarten to 19. Youth are involved in hands-on, experiential learning that allows learning by doing. All 4-H programs focus on active involvement and quality experiences which stimulate lifelong learning of values and skills.
Who Can Join 4-H?
(age as of January 1st)
Cloverbuds: Youth age 5 and in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Non-competitive group activities! No Projects!
Project Members: Youth age 8 and in 3rd grade to age 18.
What Can You Do In 4-H?
- Learn By Doing With Projects ... more than 200 to choose from including rockets, electricity, cats, dogs, fishing, photography, bicycle, fitness, and MORE!
- Develop Life Skills ... Leadership, communication, responsibility, time management, teamwork through club and community 4-H experiences.
- Make Friends and memories... at 4-H camp, clinics, workshops, trips, Junior Fair and in your 4-H CLUB!
4-H Membership Expectations
The expectations for 4-H membership are a balance among 4-H project work, involvement in the 4-H club, participation in 4-H activities and events, and working towards improving one's personal growth.
Parents seeking 4-H membership for their child in a county in which they do not reside should complete the Request for 4-H Membership Across County Lines form. It must be submitted to the county Extension 4-H professional in the county of request no later than 30 days prior to their 4-H membership enrollment deadline. That professional then contacts the 4-H professional in the county of residence, discusses the request, and makes a final decision. Please allow 30 days from submission for final notification.
Project Work Through 4-H
Each project book contains a wealth of information and activities for planning and conducting a project. The projects can be completed by participating in activities through organized project groups or by carrying out the activities individually under the guidance of a parent or other adult.
Looking for a 4-H project? Or don't know which project to take? Take the quiz below!
Project Central is an easy way for 4-H members and project helpers to preview Ohio 4-H project books and resources. Take a closer look at a book, find out what others have to say, and share your experiences.
What Does 4-H Cost?
County Activity Fee: FREE - members are asked to help with county fundraisers throughout the year.
Projects: Minimum $8.00 project book fee with additional costs for supplies, materials, equipment, animals, etc.
Club Dues: Dues are charged by some clubs for snacks, refreshments, project book costs, and other programs.
How Do You Join a 4-H Club?
Contact one of 24 clubs to join or start your own. Click here for a Jackson County 4-H Clubs list!
Join ANYTIME, but by April 1st to be able to take advantage of all 4-H opportunities including participation in Junior Fair. Changes and additions are due by April 15th. Check out the drop-downs below to learn more about our 4-H Clubs.
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The best time to join 4-H is in the fall or winter. The enrollment deadline for Jackson County is April 1st, so you must be enrolled before that date to participate in Jackson County Fair and 4-H activities.
- Click here for a list of current Jackson County 4-H Clubs.
- When choosing a 4-H club, look for a club that meets during a time and in a place that works for your family’s schedule.
- If your child will be a Cloverbud (age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in kindergarten), be sure to select a club that accepts members within your child’s age range. 4-H project members must be age eight as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in third grade.
- Look for a club that supports members taking the types of projects your family is interested in (non-animal projects, sewing, livestock, dogs, horses, shooting sports, etc.).
- Once you’ve found a club that is a good fit for your family, contact the advisor to learn more about the club. For example, you may want to ask about the club’s meeting schedule, meeting location, participation/attendance requirements, club dues and fundraisers, club size, and what kind of involvement is expected from the members’ parents and/or guardians. You even can visit one of the club’s meetings or activities if you’d like.
- Once you’ve selected a club, make it official and enjoy the experience! Be sure to complete the online enrollment by following your club leader's instructions.
If you can’t find a 4-H club that fits your family’s needs, maybe you should consider starting a club of your own! Contact 4-H Educator, Maddie Allman, for more information on how to become a 4-H volunteer club advisor and starting your own club. It’s an extremely rewarding experience!
Click the link below to download a PDF copy of our 4-H Club Directory in order to access important information about club meeting times, specializations, and more!
Winning 4-H Plan
The Winning 4-H Plan (W4HP) assists Extension professionals and volunteers by providing resources to aid them in developing accommodation plans to meet the needs of Ohio 4-H youth with disabilities. As a part of The Ohio State University, Ohio 4-H must make all aspects of 4-H, including programming, projects, facilities, and activities, accessible to people with disabilities. Access and inclusion are created with a combination of accessible programming, events, interactions, and spaces, with the goal of allowing the individual maximum independence and minimal intervention from others (such as advisors and educators). The learning and experiences that a member gains through 4-H are just as important, if not more important, as a “perfect” final project or a blue ribbon at the fair. Creating access is more than ensuring the member can attend 4-H events and fairs, it includes choosing an appropriate project, holding meetings and activities in accessible spaces, and including all members in all activities.
Winning 4-H Plan Request Form DOWNLOAD: PDF
4HOnline Enrollment Help
4-H Online is Ohio 4-H's online enrollment system. This is how the 4-H Educator communicates with advisors and families, knows how many youth are enrolled in the program, and more! It is VERY important that youth and advisors enroll in 4-H Online. If you are not in the 4-H Online system, you are not a 4-H member!
Click here to access the online enrollment system 4HOnline Link: https://oh.4honline.com
Instruction Guides for 4-H Families and Volunteers can be found on our 4-H Online & FairEntry Help page.
4-H Motto
"To Make the Best Better"
The 4-H Motto refers to each member. It means that each member will do the "Best" that he/she possibly can in whatever is attempted. The member will then strive to improve the next time so his or her initial "Best" becomes "Better." The 4-H motto encourages members to stretch their abilities and capacities to reach greater achievement within their own potential.
4-H Pledge
"I pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service, and
my Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
4-H Colors
Green and White
Green is nature's most common color and represents youth, life, and growth. White symbolizes
purity and high ideals.
4-H Emblem
The 4-H emblem is a highly valued mark within our country's history. As such it was granted a very unique status; it is in a category similar to the Presidential Seal and the Olympic emblem. It is protected by the federal government and is under the responsibility and stewardship of the Secretary of Agriculture. The "18 USC 707" marking that appears along the right lower left is coding that protects the use of the clover.
