4-H & Youth

Iowa 4-H Youth Development is the premier youth development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Providing research-based education to K-12 youth, Iowa 4-H focuses on Healthy Living, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Leadership and Civic Engagement, and Communication and the Arts. Iowa 4-H builds upon more than a century of experience in positive youth development partnering with youth to help them find their passion. For more information, please visit the Iowa 4-H website.

Many publications and resources related to 4-H are available in the Extension Store 

What is 4-H?

4-H is the youth development outreach of the land grant universities, the Cooperative Extension System and USDA.  It is made up of a community of young people across America who are learning life skills and are supported in this development process by caring adult leaders.  4-H'ers are actively involved in educational projects that are fun and that use quality curriculum incorporating the most current research and knowledge available through the land grant university system.

4-H youth:

  • Have fun
  • Meet new people
  • Learn and do new things
  • Gain life skills
  • Build self-confidence
  • Practice responsibility
  • Set and achieve goals
  • Receive recognition for their efforts and accomplishments

Clover Kids (K-3rd grades):

  • Focus on doing
  • Is non-competitive
  • Teaches life skills for grades K-3rd
  • Small groups

Traditional 4-H Clubs (4th-12th grades):

  • Focus on goal setting and working toward goals
  • Participants keep records of their progress toward goals
  • Teaches life skills for grades 4th-12th
  • Larger on-going groups

Financial Assistance Application

Upcoming Deadlines & Events

May 9 - Animal ID Help Night, 4:30-7 pm, Extension Office

May 10 - 4-H Garage Sale drop off, 4 pm, Fairgrounds

May 11 - Animal ID Help Night, 4:30-7 pm, Extension Office

May 11 - 4-H Garage Sale, Noon-7 pm, Fairgrounds

May 12 - 4-H Garage Sale, 10 am - 7 pm, Fairgrounds

May 12 - FFA ID's due to Extension Office

May 13 - 4-H Garage Sale, 7 am-Noon, Fairgrounds

May 15 - Animal ID's due in 4hOnline

May 15 - Food Safety for Events Training, 6:30 pm, Extension Office

May 15 - Fair exhibitor t-shirt designs due   

May 22 - Fair Entry Opens 

May 24 - County Council flag set up

May 24 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 6 pm, Fairgrounds

May 29 - Holiday - Extension Office closed

May 31 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 6 pm, Fairgrounds

June 1 - Broiler Bird pick up, 1-6:30 pm, Extension Office

June 1 - YQCA Training, 7-8 pm, Extension Office

June 5 - 4-H Horse Workout, 6-8 pm, Hoofbeat Arena

June 7 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 7 pm, Fairgrounds

June 14 - 4-H Horse Workout, 6-8 pm, Hoofbeat Arena

June 14 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 7 pm, Fairgrounds

June 21 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 7 pm, Fairgrounds

June 28 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 7 pm, Fairgrounds

July 5 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 7 pm, Fairgrounds

July 12 - 4-H Horse Workout, 6-8 pm, Hoofbeat Arena

July 12 - 4-H Dog Obedience Training, 7 pm, Fairgrounds