4-H Frequently Asked Questions
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Collapse ▲Our most common questions answered
General Questions
Q: Who can join 4-H?
A: Any youth who is age 5-18, as of January 1st of the program year (The youth has passed their 5th birthday and has not passed their 19th birthday as of January 1st).
Q: How do I join a 4-H club in my community?
A: Contact the 4-H Office or a 4-H Volunteer in your community! Some community clubs accept members throughout the year; others open enrollment once a year at a specific time. View our programs and specific registration at https://madison.ces.ncsu.edu/4h-programs/
Q: Is there a cost to join 4-H?
A: Being a 4-H member should not be a financial burden on any family. With that in mind, there is NO county-wide fee for being a member. Financial obligations lie with the following: Project material costs; Club dues (varies by club); Enrichment experiences (i.e. Summer Fun, District Teen Retreat). If a 4-H member is not able to pay for a 4-H program, they are encouraged to talk to their 4-H Club Leader or 4-H Agent about financial assistance options.
Q: What is the age range for 4-H members?
A: 4-H members are ages 5-18 (age as of January 1st).
Q: My kid turns 5 in May. Can they go to summer camp the same year?
A: In this case, your child will need to wait until next year to enroll. All 4-H enrollment is based on their age as of January 1st.
Q: How is 4-H different from other youth programs?
A: 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the United States. As the youth outreach program of the nation’s land-grant universities, 4-H is the first experience many youth have with higher education. In North Carolina, 4-H is part of N.C. Cooperative Extension, a strategic partnership between NC State and NC A&T State Universities, along with the United States Department of Agriculture, state, and local governments cooperating. Local offices are staffed in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
4-H is a positive youth development organization. The mission of 4-H is to provide meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to work together to create sustainable community change. This is accomplished within three primary content areas, or mission areas – civic engagement and leadership, healthy living, and science. These mission areas reiterate the founding purposes of Extension through agriculture (e.g., community leadership, quality of life, and technology transfer) in the context of 21st century challenges and opportunities. (National 4-H Strategic Plan: nifa.usda.gov)
Q: Can homeschoolers join 4-H?
A: Absolutely! We welcome youth from public, private, and homeschools!
Q: Can we join 4-H clubs in Madison County if we live in Buncombe or Yancey County?
A: The short answer is yes. It’s always preferred to participate in the county you live in, but we understand that youth near the county lines may be closer to their neighboring county Extension Center. There is also a provision to participate in neighboring counties if your home county does not offer the program you want to participate in.
Programs & Projects
Q: What types of projects can I do in 4-H?
A: We offer both group and independent project learning opportunities.
For organized 4-H group projects, see the Project Page on our website.
The list for 4-H guided independent projects is almost endless! You can explore projects such as animal science, electricity, cooking, public speaking, environmental science, community service, and more (See a list of projects here). Contact Misty Varnell at 828.649.2411 or misty_varnell@ncsu.edu and schedule a time to meet to get started!
Q: Can I switch projects after I’ve already started?
A: Most projects require a commitment to complete the defined season or year. You are welcome to complete different projects each year, or even complete multiple projects per year.
Q: What is the difference between a project and an activity?
A: Projects always have an educational focus and typically involve a minimum of three weeks of instruction/hands-on learning. Activities may be educational or recreational, and they are usually shorter one to three day programs.
Q: Do I have to live on a farm or have animals to participate in 4-H?
A: Not at all! 4-H is alive and well in urban cities, farming communities, and all in between.
Q: Does 4-H do anything other than farm work?
A: Our roots are in farming, but our program has grown tremendously over the last century to include many more topics!
Q: What kinds of programs are offered every year?
A: You can view our current programs on our website. Some of these programs are offered annually, and others will come and go. We have a program advisory committee that helps determine our county-wide youth needs and interests every year, and we base our program efforts around those recommendations.
Meetings & Events
Q: How often do clubs meet?
A: Community clubs typically meet once a month. Project clubs/groups may meet more frequently during a particular season.
Q: How many clubs can I join per year?
A: You are only limited by your own schedule!
Q: What happens at a typical 4-H meeting?
A: A typical 4-H Community Club meeting looks something like this:
Business component: North Carolina 4-H uses Robert’s Rules of Order (parliamentary procedure) to conduct business. Clubs elect youth officers who participate in county officer training where they learn to conduct a business meeting properly.
Educational program: With input from 4-H youth members, educational programs are selected and offered at each meeting. Youth, parents, and leaders work together to recruit volunteers who are knowledgeable in the subject matter to attend a meeting and provide an engaging, hands-on learning program. Generally this is a 30-45 minute program.
Refreshments and recreation: There should be 15-30 minutes of a club meeting set aside for members to socialize as they enjoy simple refreshments and play games or simply visit with one another. Parents and leaders work together to create a refreshment schedule.
Q: Are there any required events?
A: There are no required events for 4-H youth.
Q: What is the 4-H fair, and how do I participate?
A: The Madison County Fair has a youth division for many of the contests! See the Madison County Fair Book for more information.
The Mountain State Fair also includes a large 4-H Youth Component. Learn more on the Mountain State Fair website.
Parent & Volunteer Info
Q: What is expected of parents/guardians?
A: The expectations for parent/guardian involvement vary by program. Check with your club/project leaders. Some experiences are drop-off (such as summer camps and many after-school clubs), while others have an expectation that parents stay and help out, at least part of the time.
Q: How can adults get involved or volunteer?
A: There are many ways adults can help out, from the occasional “as-needed” support to ongoing club leadership! Learn more on our Volunteering with 4-H webpage and contact Misty Varnell at 828-649-2411 or email misty_varnell@ncsu.edu if you are interested.
Q: Is there training for 4-H volunteers?
A: Yes! We offer county-wide volunteer training a few times per year on various topics, and work with volunteers one-on-one as needed to prepare for specific roles and responsibilities.
Q: What are the qualifications for being a 4-H Volunteer?
A: All of our volunteers must
- Care about making a positive difference for youth
- Pass a background check every three years
- Complete Protection of Minors training annually
- Have the recommendation of three references
- Remain in good standing with 4-H!
Recognition & Awards
Q: How are 4-H members recognized for their work?
A: We hold a county-wide 4-H Achievement Program every February to recognize accomplishments from the past 4-H year, January-December. This is a fun, celebratory awards program! 4-H’ers may also be recognized for project work at the conclusion of projects or at contests.
Q: Can I earn scholarships or other awards through 4-H?
A: North Carolina 4-H provides numerous award and incentive programs, including college scholarships. Learn more on the NC 4-H Awards & Incentives webpage.