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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

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Hamilton County

 

 

How to Join a 4-H Club

  1. The best time to join 4-H is in the fall or winter. The enrollment deadline is March 1, so you must be enrolled before that date to participate in Hamilton County Fair activities.

  2. Read information about Hamilton County 4-H Clubs. 
  3. When choosing a 4-H club, look for a club that meets during a time and in a place that works for your family’s schedule.
  4. If your child will be a Cloverbud (age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in kindergarten), all Hamilton County 4-H clubs offer opportunities for Cloverbuds.
  5. Look for a club that supports members taking the types of projects your family is interested in (non-animal projects, sewing, livestock, dogs, horses, etc.).
  6. Once you’ve found a club that is a good fit for your family, contact the advisor to learn more about the club. For example, you may want to ask about the club’s meeting schedule, meeting location, participation/attendance requirements, club dues and fundraisers, club size, and what kind of involvement is expected from the members’ parents and/or guardians. You even can visit one of the club’s meetings or activities if you’d like.
  7. Once you’ve selected a club, make it official and enjoy the experience! Be sure to complete the online enrollment by following your club leader's instructions.

If you can’t find a 4-H club that fits your family’s needs, maybe you should consider starting a club of your own! Contact Claire Linepensel for more information on how to become a 4-H volunteer club advisor and starting your own club. It’s an extremely rewarding experience!

4-H Online to Register

4-H Membership Eligibility

  • Youth are eligible for 4-H membership as a Cloverbud when a child is age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and is enrolled in kindergarten. 
  • Youth are eligible for membership in the 4-H club program when a child is at least age eight as of Jan. 1 of the current year and is enrolled in third grade.  
  • Ohio 4-H membership ends Dec. 31 of the year in which an individual becomes 19-years-old.
  • Membership begins when an eligible individual is enrolled in a club or group that operates within the scope of Ohio State University Extension and is under the direction of a trained adult who has completed the Ohio State University Extension volunteer selection process.

Across County Line Membership

If you live in Hamilton County and would like to join a 4-H club in another county, or if you live in another county and would like to join a Hamilton County 4-H club, review policy and procedures to request membership across county lines.