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 Oct. 1-Sept. 30.

4-H members ages 8 to 18 years of age are eligible to participate in all programs offered by 4-H, including competitive activities and 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.

All enrollments are due Jan. 31. Enrollments will be taken after Jan. 31, but the member will not be eligible to participate in the Payette County Fair.

Youth can join 4-H at any time during the year. Enrollment is never closed.

Enrollment fees:

• $20 Cloverbuds (ages 5 to 7)
• $25 Members (ages 8 to 18, as of Jan. 1)
• $30 Horse members

There must be five children enrolled in a club in order for it to be considered an official club in Payette County. The members cannot all be from the same family.

Visit the ZSuite portal to enroll.

The Cloverbud program is an educational program for youth 5 to 7 years of age and is designed to introduce young children to 4-H in a fun, noncompetitive way. Cloverbuds may not participate in large animal, ATV or shooting sports projects.

Cloverbuds may attend club meetings/functions and use county or state publications. Children enrolled in the 4-H Cloverbud program cannot display or sell animals at the fair. They are not required to complete or exhibit their book. A club display of Cloverbud books at the fair is acceptable; however, the books are not judged.

For more information contact FaithAnn Hynek.

UI Extension, Payette County has an active 4-H Leaders Association. The Leaders Association consists of all certified 4-H leaders in Payette County. The association meets the fourth Monday of each month.

UI Extension, Payette County 4-H Leaders are required to attend at least three Leaders Association meetings and two trainings. This allows you to get to know your fellow leaders and stay informed on the policies, procedures and opportunities within the county.

The Leaders Association has a food booth fundraiser that operates during the Payette County Fair as well as other fundraisers (such as the Fall Fling, and onion and potato sales) during the year. The money generated from these fundraisers is used to purchase livestock scales, provide scholarships to youth and volunteers, support county programming and make improvements to the fairgrounds when needed.

4-H programs operate under 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 included in many projects and events.

The identified 4-H program areas in Idaho are: 4-H Afterschool, Ambassadors, Collegiate 4-H, Cloverbuds, 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, communicating and working with others and problem solving and decision making skills that you will use for the rest of your life. Visit the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development website to learn which projects are available in Idaho.

A 4-H project is considered complete when several factors have been met:

• Must attend the majority of club meetings
• Must do an oral presentation on each project
• Must participate in a club service learning project
• Must complete the involvement report and record book
• Must participate in interview/record book evaluations
• Must exhibit for each project — must be displayed in a public place (library, UI Extension office, etc.) or at the county fair

The county fair is a way for 4-H youth to showcase their project work and receive recognition for their efforts, but it can also provide important opportunities for positive youth development.

Documents not available for download may be obtained by contacting UI Extension, Payette County.

• Annual Summary Financial Report (PDF)
• Treasurer’s monthly report form (PDF)
• Project inventory record form (PDF)
• 4-H project record book and animal project record book (ZSuite online application)
• Animal health statement form (PDF)
• 4-H and FFA livestock bill of sale (COOL Affidavit) (PDF)

Each 4-H member in Payette County is covered by American Income Life Insurance. This policy is secondary to your personal/primary health insurance policy. The insurance premiums are paid from UI Extension, Payette County. A portion of your yearly enrollment fee pays the premium.

UI Extension, Payette County 4-H programs provide opportunity for leadership, citizenship and recognition of our youth and volunteers. We have a caring and supportive community. Donors give through the market livestock sale, youth awards and so much more.

Become a financial supporter today

The Payette County 4-H Endowment was established in 2012 with generous donations from our community. Endowments are managed by the University of Idaho Foundation by investing the principal so there is an annual amount of income (interest) available to use each year to benefit the UI Extension, Payette County 4-H Youth Development program.

Areas of support

Your donation will help in the following areas:

• 4-H education clinics
• 4-H skill-a-thons
• 4-H day and overnight camps
• 4-H after-school programming
• 4-H youth leadership opportunities and involvement
• 4-H volunteer development
• 4-H awards
• 4-H science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Idaho Friends of 4-H

Idaho Friends of 4-H, formerly known as the 4-H Endowment, is the charitable organization that supports the Idaho 4-H program so it can reach more young people, offer new programs and help youth already in 4-H to reach their greatest potential. As a contributor to Friends of 4-H, you will support Idaho’s kids and help “to make the best better.”