4-H Youth Development

4-H recognizes the age of the individual on Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year. Eligibility established on Jan. 1 will remain in effect for the entire 4-H year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

4-H members ages 8 to 18 years are eligible to participate in all programs offered by 4-H, including competitive activities/events. Individuals older than 18 years of age who have special needs are eligible to participate in 4-H, provided they are enrolled in high school.

The maximum number of club members and type of projects offered will be established by individual club leaders.

Out-of-state or out-of-country 4-H members who will be residents of Franklin County for six consecutive months will be allowed to participate in the Franklin County 4-H Livestock Program and Fair, if the project requirements are met.

For horse and all other 4-H projects, 4-H members from out-of-state or out-of-county will be allowed to participate in the Franklin County 4-H Program and Fair as long as they are not enrolled in another county or state 4-H program.

Costs will include one or more of the following expenses:

• County Enrollment Fee — $25 per member for the 4-H year from Oct. 1 to Sept. 31
• County Horse Fee — $10 per member participating in the 4-H horse program from Oct. 1 to Sept. 31
• County Livestock Fee — $10 weigh-in fee per animal in the 4-H livestock program from Oct. 1 to Sept. 31
• Project Book/Sheet and Resources — Project books/resources may be available through your county Extension office, so ask your 4-H staff member.
• Project Items — Supplies, materials, equipment, animals, facilities and other resources needed to complete the 4-H project learning experience.
• Club Dues/Fees — a per member fee charged by some clubs for refreshments, project book costs, club t-shirt, supplemental insurance, etc. Please ask the club volunteer about their 4-H club fee structure.
• 4-H Events & Opportunities — Fees charged for participation in events and opportunities such as camps, workshops, conferences, trips, etc.

4-H programs include the areas of: science, engineering and technology, healthy living and citizenship. They differ from 4-H projects because they include a variety of knowledge areas and are inclusive of many projects and events. Programs can target specific audiences, seek out community partnerships and have funding sources that provide resources.

The identified 4-H program areas in Idaho are:

• 4-H Afterschool
• Ambassadors
• Collegiate 4-H
• Healthy Living
• Outreach to Military Kids
• Shooting Sports
• Science and Engineering/Technology

A project is a topic that you can explore. You’ll learn life skills like understanding yourself, working with others, problem solving and decision making.

4-H can be anything you want it to be. 4-H projects are based on research, so you have up-to-date and accurate information about things you’re interested in. 4-H project manuals and guides have ideas for activities to do and ways to learn more. Not all of these projects may be offered by your club or county 4-H program, but this is a great place to explore. If there is something that you are interested in and it’s not on the list, talk with a 4-H staff member.

Think about what you like to do or what you are interested in, then look at the list of projects.

Some of the project manuals are available in your local UI Extension county office and some are online. Choose one that looks interesting and find out more about it.

Your 4-H leader and your parent can also help you decide. Check with your 4-H leader to find out if there are requirements for the project.

Your 4-H leader or county 4-H staff member will have a list of project manuals or guides.

Some project activities are online while others can be ordered.

Your 4-H leader or 4-H staff member can help you, so just ask.