How to Join 4-H as a member:
- Who can join 4-H?
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4-H is for all youth in grades 4-12. Children in grades K-3 may join Clover Kids, and youth in grades 4-12 may join local learning communities or clubs. You do not need to live on a farm or be interested in animals to join. Iowa 4-H is for everyone, regardless of where you live or what you want to learn!
- Why should I join 4-H?
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Have fun and try out new experiences
Meet new people and make life-long friends
Learn practical life skills by doing projects and participating in activities
Explore future career opportunities
Become a leader in your community
- Where is 4-H in my area?
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4-H is offered in every county in Iowa, through your ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Click on your county on the map to find information for your local office and a list of 4-H opportunities.
- How do I get started?
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Get joining information by filling out this interested in 4-H form or contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office. You can also explore potential project areas and programs you may be interested in before reaching out.
- What is there to do?
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- Iowa 4-H offers both short and long-term experiences for youth. Short-term experiences include afterschool programs, camps, school-sponsored activities, conferences, and other events. Long-term experiences including learning communities such as county clubs.
- Iowa 4-H has five priority areas for youth to discover their interests: Agriculture and Natural Resources, STEM, Healthy Living, Leadership and Civic Engagement, and Communication and the Arts.
- Youth can participate in project areas or 4-H exhibits. Project areas are broad topics you can learn and explore, and 4-H exhibits are things you make or do to share what you've learned.
- How much time should I expect to spend doing 4-H activities?
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As much as you want! If you are a member of a 4-H club, you would normally attend a monthly club meeting that lasts about 1 hour. Depending on your project area, many youth spend at least a few hours plus whatever time you spend learning on your own or in small groups about projects that are interesting to you.
- Does it cost anything?
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- For youth enrolled in a 4-H club, there is a yearly $30 development fee. Some counties and programs may have additional fees and there may be costs associated with specific 4-H workshops, camps, events, and conferences. View the Investing in Our Youth document to compare costs to other youth extracurricular activities.
- We never want finances to be a barrier to join, and Iowa 4-H is committed to helping every young person who wants to be involved. Financial assistance is available through counties and the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
- When should I sign up?
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You may join 4-H at any time in the year, however, a new program year begins September 1 and annual enrollment fees will be collected then. We recommend that you enroll early in the year to have the maximum experience possible. Workshops, camps, and special programs happen throughout the calendar year and may have their own enrollment deadlines. Please see specific webpages or contact your county Extension office for more information.
- Where should I sign up?
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If you're interested in becoming a new member, please contact your county Extension office for assistance in enrolling in 4-H! Current members can re-enroll annually using 4hOnline. You can also get joining information by filling out this interested in 4-H form. We look forward to helping you explore your interests and develop new skills.