What is 4-H?
4-H is a non-formal educational, youth development program offered to individuals 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 that stimulate lifelong values and skills learning.
Who Can Join 4-H?
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Cloverbuds: Youth age 5 and in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Non-competitive group activities. No projects.
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Project Members: Youth age 8 and in 3rd grade. Any youth age 9 or above is eligible for project membership, regardless of grade level. A youth's eligibility ends December 31 the year the member turns 19.
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Age: Determined by age as of January 1st.
What Can You Do In 4-H?
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Develop Life Skills - Leadership, communication, responsibility, time management, and teamwork through club and community 4-H experiences.
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Learn By Doing With Projects - There are more than 200 to choose from including rockets, photography, fishing, dogs, livestock, fitness, and SO MUCH MORE! Explore the Family Project Guide - Click Here!
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Make Friends & Memories - 4-H camp, clinics, 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. Additionally, members must attend a minimum number of 4-H meetings to be considered a "4-H member in good standing."
Request for 4-H Membership Across County Lines is when a parent seeking 4-H membership for their child in a neighboring county in which they do not reside. This "ACL" form (Across County Lines) must be filled out and sent to OSU Extension, once submitted to the county of request, the county Extension 4-H professional then contacts the county of residence, discuss the request, and make the final decision.
How Do You Join a 4-H Club?
Contact any of our 23 clubs to join!
Join ANYTIME, but by April 1st to be able to take advantage of all 4-H opportunities including participation in Junior Fair and the Ohio State Fair. Check out the drop-down arrows below to learn more about our 4-H Clubs.
1. The best time to join 4-H is in the fall or winter. The enrollment deadline for Holmes County is April 1st, so you must be enrolled before that date to participate in the Holmes County Fair and 4-H activities.
2. 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.
3. If your child will be a Cloverbud (age 5 and in kindergarten as of Jan. 1 of the current year), be sure to select a club that has a Cloverbud Advisor.
4. Look for a club that supports members taking the types of projects your family is interested in (non-animals projects, sewing, livestock, dogs, horses, shooting sports, etc.).
5. 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 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.
6. Let's make it official! Once you've selected your club, be sure to complete the online enrollment by following your club leader's instructions.
Winning 4-H Plan
The Winning 4-H Plan was designed in 2004 to assist Extension professionals and volunteers by providing accommodation plans to meet the needs of Ohio 4-H youth with disabilities. Please note there may be differences between 4-H accommodations and accommodations in secondary schools. Participation in 4-H is voluntary, and 4-H is required to provide reasonable accommodations and access. Secondary school is mandatory, and schools may need to alter requirements and provide accommodations to ensure that students can be successful.
Holmes County NEW Family Guide
We've taken some time to narrow down what we like to call "Alphabet Soup" here in the 4-H world of Holmes County. Please take a look at the New Family Guide for brief points to help guide you and your future 4-H'er to success!
4-H Facts & Info
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 county'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. 