Join 4-H | Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Mahaska County

What is 4-H?

4-H is a program for any youth in 4th-12th grade with an interest in leadership development and learning life skills such as communication, teamwork, citizenship, civic engagement, and responsibility. 4-H is supported by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and over 100 local volunteers who serve as leaders, superintendents, and as members of various committees.

Who can join 4-H?

4th-12th grade is eligible to join a club in Mahaska County. You do not have to live in the country or on a farm to participate. 4-H is available to all youth. Youth in grades K-3 are eligible to join Clover Kids. Information on Clover Kids is below.

Iowa 4-H Mission

4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research based experiences.

Iowa 4-H Vision

Preparing Iowa's youth to be successful, contributing members of society.

Step 1- Explore 4-H

4-H has four major priority areas which include Healthy Living, STEM, Leadership & Civic Engagement, and Communication & Arts. Check out all of the programs Iowa 4-H has to offer for those program areas.

4-H Programs

Youth choose projects to enroll in part of the enrollment process. Youth select projects based on their interest areas or something new they would like to try. 4-H offers many different projects to be enrolled in. Check out all of the 4-H Projects to choose from.

4-H Projects List

Check out what is happening in Mahaska County 4-H by viewing out newsletters.

Mahaska County 4-H Newsletters

Step 2- Select a Club

Mahaska County has 11 community clubs. You may choose a club based on location, age, or special interest, but you are not required to join the club that meets closest to your address. Check out our club directory to see what club will best fit your needs. Club Leaders will be able to give you specific information about the club. Please feel free to reach out to them for more information. If you have questions or need help finding a club that fits your needs please contact the Extension office and we will be happy to help you.

2023-24 Club Directory

Eddyville

Harrison Hustlers

Leader: Michelle Seddon & Katie Smith

West Des Moines Livewires

Leader: Heather Angle-Gardener

Fremont

Cedar Livestock

Leader: Jennifer Van Zante, Julie Bayliss & Kristin Plate

Leighton

Leighton Strivers

Leader: Raelynn Schroeder, Kristy VanMaanen, & Jordan VanMaanen

New Sharon

Heartland Helpers

Leader: Issalena Van Weeldon & Sara Sims

Oskaloosa

Eveland Livestock

Leader: Shauna Hol

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Garfield Boosters

Leader: Jim Marshall, Tina Marshall, Melinda Groenendyk, & Kim Ferguson

Jefferson Go-Getters

Leader: Sarah Hol, Rachel Tague, & Kenny Scott

Mahaska Masters

Leader: Karen Adams, Dan Adams, Orla Stodghill, Mary Beth Jackson, & Cassie Ferree

Spring Creek Achievers

Leaders: Tapanga Blom, MaKayla Sittsworth, & Whitney Satterfield

Pella

M&M Peppy Pals

Leaders: Deb Overbergen & Sara Williams

Special Interests

Honor Council

Location: Oskaloosa

Leader: Megan Ver Steegh (open only to 8th-12th graders)

Mahaska County Livestock Special Interests Club

Location: Southern Iowa Fairgrounds, Oskaloosa

Leader: Holly Padgett & Valerie Fisk

Adams Champs

Location: New Sharon

Leader: Susan Upton, Phyllis Ver Steegh, Chris VerSteegh, Renee Ferguson, & Jayne Ferguson

Step 3- Enroll

To become a 4-H member you must enroll on 4-H Online.

The cost for 4-H membership is $35 thanks to a generous donation from Mahaska County Farm Bureau and Mahaska County Extension Council. You may pay the fee online part of the enrollment process or submit cash/check to the Extension Office. There is financial assistance available through the Iowa 4-H Foundation. Please reach out if you need financial assistance.

Below are enrollment help sheets to assist with the enrollment process.

The deadline to re-enroll for previous 4-H members is January 1, 2024 to be eligible for the 2024 Southern Iowa Fair. All NEW members must enroll by May 15, 2024.

What is Clover Kids?

Clover Kids is a fun 4-H program specifically designed for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. The overall purpose of Iowa 4-H Clover Kids program is to foster the development of life skills that are essential for the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical maturation of kindergarten through third graders by providing a unique age-appropriate education opportunity.

What do Clover Kids do?

Investigate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Explore literacy through fun and engaging ways to read and write
Learn the importance of being healthy and physically active
Practice communication skills and learn to work as team
Play fun cooperative games and make new friends

How do I enroll for Clover Kids?

All Clover Kids need to enroll through 4-H Online. The cost for Clover Kids is $25. Below is the help guides to enroll in Clover Kids.

New Family Enrollment Guide

Re-Enrollment Family Guide

Club Directory

We have 5 Clover Kids Clubs that meet across the county at various times. You can select a club that fits your child's needs or schedule.

Clover Kid Directory

Eddyville

Eddyville Clover Kids

Meeting Time: 1st Thursday of the month at 3:15pm

Location: Eddyville Elementary School

Harrison Hustlers Clover Kids

Meeting Time: 2nd Monday of the month at 7:00pm

Location: EBF High School

Fremont

Cedar Livestock Clover Kids

Meeting Time: 2nd Sunday of the month at 2:15pm

Location: Fremont Methodist Church

North Mahaska

North Mahaska Clover Kids

Meeting Time: 1st Tuesday of the month at 4:00pm

Location: Friends Church in New Sharon

Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa Clover Kids

Meeting Time: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm

Location: Mahaska County Extension Office

If you family needs assistance selecting a club please contact the Mahaska County Extension Office and we will be happy to assist you in the process.

Honor Council

We are starting to look for Honor Council members for next year! The 4-H Honor Council is for anyone in 8th-12th grade, not just current 4-H members. Anyone who joins the Honor Council can also be a member of another 4-H club or can join Honor Council independently.

The $35.00 4-H enrollment fee for all Honor Council participants will be waived! This group will be active
throughout the county for the 2023-2024 year, participating in community events, 4-H events and helping out with service projects. If you have any projects you would like Honor Council’s assistance with, please contact Dustin Winkelman at dwinkel@iastate.edu or 641-673-5841. Honor Council will start in late September.

New this year, if you are a returning Honor Council member, you do not need to complete a full application but instead, email a statement to Megan and Dustin stating why you would like to participate in Honor Council again. New members will need to complete an application. The application is linked below. Honor Council members will be required to attend at least 75% of the club’s meetings and/or activities and assist with at least 4 events at the county fair. The Honor Council is led by Dustin Winkelman and Megan VerSteegh.

APPLICATION OR STATEMENT DUE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Honor Council Application

The first meeting will be held in late September!