Club Resources

 

 

 

 

 

Keep up to date on all things 4-H!

Current club leaders, members, and volunteers can find information on deadlines, events, and more by regularly tuning into this webpage. Not a member yet? Learn how to get involved on our Join 4-H page. 

Resources and Information for Clubs

 

Important Dates and Deadlines

May 15

- All animals with the exception of Rabbits, Poultry and Cavy need to be IDed in 4-H Online by May 15.
- 4-H’ers must be enrolled in 4-H Online to exhibit at the county and state fair.
- You DO NOT need to be enrolled in a project area by May 15 to exhibit that project at the fair (i.e. Food and Nutrition). We use the project areas to update just those interested in opportunities related to that project area.

 

November 15

Enrollment due to be eligible for club enrollment incentive.


October 1

Awards Applications and Record books are due to the Polk County Extension Office.


September 15

4-H Online Opens for New enrollment and re-enrollments.


July 1

Entries for the county and state fair are due to the Polk County Extension Office for the Polk County Fair. The Code of Conduct should be signed digitally through Fair Entry. 

 

Club Financial Management

Each Polk County 4-H club has their own account within the Polk County Extension financial system and maintains the authority to determine how their funds are used. The Polk County Extension office oversees this activity.
New 4-H Clubs will need to complete the Polk 4-H Club and County Partnership agreement and Opening a Polk County 4-H Club account forms. 

A Polk County 4-H Club Account FAQ document specifically developed for Polk County 4-H clubs is also available as a reference. 

If you are viewing this webpage on a mobile device, you will need to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader app to fill out the above forms.

If you have any questions about this process please contact Paul Gibbins, Regional Director, pgibbins@iastate.edu or 515.957.5777.
 
For more information and resources, view the County Services 4-H Financial Management webpage.
 

Quicklinks:

Deposit Form
Reimbursement Form

County Fair Information

View information on the Polk County Fair website!

 

Annual County Awards

Goal

The goal of Annual County Awards is to provide an opportunity for last year's 4th-12th grade youth to share what they learned during the past 4-H program year. Not all learning results in a project at fair, but all learning is valuable and worthy of recognition!

Steps to Accomplish the Goal

All eligible 4-H'ers are encouraged to submit applications for the categories outlined below. Applications, recordbooks, and nominations are due to the Polk County Extension office on October 2 by 12pm noon. Applicants will have the opportunity to interview with a judge to further explain their learning. Judges will score both the application and interview to select the award winners in each category.

Goal Outcomes

Youth will gain life skills by participating in the Annual County Awards application and interview process. All participants will be invited to a celebratory dinner and ceremony! 4- H'ers that exhibit outstanding skills sharing their learning will receive awards and be celebrated by all of Polk County 4-H. Nominated youth and adults will be honored for their positivity and accomplishments.

Project Area Awards

4-H'ers that were in 4th-12th grade the previous 4-H program year can apply for a Project Area Award with this application. Project area awards are meant to showcase learning in that specific area, but are not a critique of any one specific project. Youth can apply for up to two and are eligible to receive one Project Area Awards. Only one award in each project area will be given in each age division; junior, intermediate, and senior.

Eligible Project Areas:

  • Ag, Animal and Natural Resources
  • Creative Arts
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Clothing Event
  • Communications Event
  • Horticulture and Floriculture
  • Personal Development
  • Science, Engineering and Technology
  • Large Animal
  • Small Animal
Leadership and Civic Engagement Award

4-H'ers that were in 4th-12th grade the previous 4-H program year can apply for a Leadership and Civic Engagement Award with this application. Just as the 4-H Pledge says, 4-H'ers commit to lending their hands to larger service. The Leadership and Civic Engagement Award will recognize only one junior, intermediate, and senior level 4-H'er that exhibits high level experience with civic engagement and leadership.

New Alumni and Outstanding New Alumni Award

4-H'ers that graduated from high school in the previous 4-H program year are eligible to submit an essay application as a New Alumni. All of the New Alumni essays will be read by a group of adults and one will be selected as an Outstanding New Alumni.

Peer Award

All 4-H'ers are invited to nominate a peer who has supported them in their 4-H journey. The nominated 4-H'er should exhibit leadership, responsibility, inclusivity, and embody what 4-H means. The nomination form is found here. 

Caring Adult Award

All 4-H'ers are invited to nominate a Caring Adult who has had a positive impact on their 4-H experience. The nomination form can be found here.

Recordbook

All 4-H'ers can submit a recordbook to their 4-H leader. Leaders will score the recordbooks and submit to the office recordbooks that score above 80 according to a pre-determined rubric. All recordbooks that are turned into the office will be judged and the top two from each age division will be awarded.

County Council

4-H members in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply for County Council. This is the group of youth who host officer training, help with awards, organize county-wide service events, and organize various events at the Polk County Fair each year. This year there are two different applications, one for NEW members and one for RETURNING members.

New Member Application Word 

New Member Application Fillable PDF

Returning Member Application Word

Returning Member Application Fillable PDF

Applications are due by 5 pm on September 6, 2023.  Applicants will be required to participate in an interview, which will take place the second week of September. Contact Megan with questions. 

 

Polk County 4-H Clover Dash 5K

Club Grant

Youth Grant

Banner Club

Banner club form for clubs can be found here. 

 

For questions or to submit applications, contact Megan Freel, County Youth Coordinator, at 515-957-5763.