Join 4-H

What is 4-H?

 

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4-H

4-H reaches almost 6 million young people worldwide. Youth can experience 4-H through school and community clubs, in-school and after-school programs, and 4-H camps. 4-H programming focuses on the following program project areas: 

  1. Agriculture and Natural Resources
  2. Healthy Living 
  3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) 
  4. Leadership and Civic Engagement 
  5. Communication and the Arts 

Why 4-H?

 

 4-H youth work and learn in partnership with caring adults to reach their full potential. Membership in a 4-H club provides youth opportunities to develop skills and meaningful relationships they will carry with them throughout their lives. 4-H prepares youth to solve problems and encourages them to create new and creative ideas that can help create a better world.

Who Can Join 4-H?

Linn County welcomes youth from various backgrounds and interests. Youth ranging from K-12 can get involved in 4-H activities. The following age groups can participate in the 4-H groups below:

  • Clover Kids (grades K-3)
  • 4-H Clubs (grades 4-12)

Find a Club

Click the icon below and check out our Club Directory to learn about our 4-H clubs in Linn County:

Linn County Club Directory

How to Register

Ready to start your 4-H adventure? Follow these easy steps below to get started:

1. Fill out our interest form form below or contact Linn County Extension at linn4h@iastate.edu or (319)-377-9839 to learn more about our 4-H program!

Interest Form

2. Register through 4-H Online (see icon below)

4-H Online

Enrollment Information: 

  • Enrollment is from September 1 through March 1
  • Enrollment fees:
    • Program fees support the county and state 4-H program
    • Current fees are listed below:
      • $40 per 4-H member 
      • $15 per Clover Kid 
    • Financial aid is available from the Iowa 4-H Foundation (click icon below)

Iowa 4-H Foundation- Financial Information

  • Returning 4-H members must re-enroll every year by November 30 in order to exhibit animals at the Linn County Fair 

*The fees for service will be used to offset direct expenses and to support the 4-H Youth and Development Linn County Extension Program*

Did you Know...

  • 4-H is the largest youth development organization
  • A research study conducted by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University found that 4-H'ers are...
    • 4x more likely to contribute to their community 
    • 2x more likely to be civically active
    • 2x more likely to participate in science programs during out-of-school time
    • 2x more likely to make healthier choices.
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4-H grows here

Volunteer with Linn County 4-H

Over 10,000 volunteers guide Iowa 4-H members in becoming productive citizens, outstanding communicators, effective leaders, and successful learners.  But just as important as what volunteers give is what they get back!  Iowa 4-H volunteers have shared that:

“My volunteer experience has helped me both professionally and with my family. I seem to look at kids in a different light and try to encourage all to be the best that they can be.”

“I feel a great sense of excitement and pride when youth accomplish something they never thought they could do. It is wonderful to see kids work through a project and feel proud of what they can do. This keeps me volunteering in school and church, as well as the 4-H program. I believe youth can be encouraged to do great things.”

Iowa 4-H needs many volunteers who are willing to share creative ideas, time, talent, and skills to support youth at the community, county, and state levels. Are you curious about volunteering for 4-H? 

Volunteers play an important role in our organization and we are very excited you would like to volunteer with us!

Become a Linn County 4-H Volunteer in Simple Steps

Note: Linn County 4-H does not require all parents to register as a volunteer. Parents will receive all necessary information through their youth's 4-H Online profile. Parents are always welcome to become more involved and become a volunteer! If you have questions email linn4h@iastate.edu. 

  1. Decide that you want to help kids grow and explore their futures.
  2. Fill out our Linn County 4-H Volunteer Application and Interest Form.
  3. Work with 4-H Staff to match your volunteer interest to our volunteer needs.
  4. Complete Iowa State University Extension’s Child Protection and Safety Policy (CPSP) process, including a background screening and agree to the Code of Conduct for Iowa 4-H Volunteers.
  5. Enroll in 4-H Online and attend a local/state training.
  6. Share your skills, knowledge, and talents while having FUN with kids!
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4H Club Leaders organized Farm Day at Center Point elementary school

Potential Volunteer Opportunities

4-H Club Leader

Club volunteers provide overall leadership to club or group organizations, overseeing the structure and operation and serving as the club’s contact with Extension staff and other 4-H volunteers. They help 4-H club members grow and reach their fullest potential by supporting them to conduct meaningful, educational experiences. View a complete club leader position description.

Project Leader or Livestock Committees

Project volunteers help members plan and conduct projects. Sometimes project volunteers assist with clubs that are organized around one project area and sometimes a project volunteer assists youth interested in a specific project area but the youth belong to a club with members interested in many different project areas. For a complete job description to see what Linn County has to offer email linn4h@iastate.edu.

Clover Kids Volunteer

Clover Kids volunteers promote positive development for children ages K-3 through cooperative learning and developmentally appropriate practices. They provide opportunities for youth to practice 5 life skills:  self-understanding, social interaction, decision-making, learning to learn, and mastering physical skills. View a complete Clover Kids volunteer position description.

FIRST Mentor and Coach

As a mentor or coach of a FIRST® team, you empower students to be future game-changers. You're working side by side with FIRST participants to build their leadership and problem-solving skills and, more importantly, their sense of belonging and self-confidence. Your contribution to the success of FIRST programs is immeasurable. Build up the next generation of innovators as a FIRST mentor or coach. View a FIRST Mentor and Coach position description.

4-H Judge

4-H judges support learning and growth opportunities for youth through the project judging experience at local county fairs. It allows adults to share their expertise with 4-H youth by judging projects that interest them. Visit Information for Judges for additional details.

4-H Mentor - New Opportunity in Linn County

4-H mentors provide new 4-H volunteers with the support, encouragement, training, and personal contact to help them become well-rounded, knowledgeable, confident 4-H volunteers. This position will help produce a solid network of volunteers to enhance our 4-H youth program. View a complete 4-H mentor position description. 

County 4-H Volunteer

There are many ways to support the 4-H program at the county level. Volunteers are needed to give guidance to policy and priority setting and to conduct county and regional programs and activities. Contact us to learn more about 4-H volunteer opportunities in your county.