How to Join 4-H

The 4-H Youth Development movement began more than a hundred years ago and now includes over 6.5 million members and 540,000 adult volunteers throughout the United States. Our next member could be you!

Youth who are eight years of age and have not reached their nineteenth birthday on or before December 31 2023, may enroll in 4-H clubs and groups as a traditional 4-H Member. Youth who are five through seven years of age on or before December 31, 2023, may enroll in 4-H as a Cloverbud.

Step 1
The first step in becoming a 4-H member is to choose a club that is right for you. Contact a local 4-H Club Leader to see if there is room in an existing club near you. If not, several young people with an adult or two to help them may start a new club. For a list of clubs in your area, visit our 4-H Clubs page or contact the Extension Office.

Step 2
Find the project that is right for you. There are over 50 different projects divided into more than 225 divisions. These divisions range from creative arts, photography, model rocketry, foods, clothing, gardening, wildlife, woodworking, to dog obedience, small animals, horses, and livestock. Project costs vary. To see a list of all of our State and County Projects, visit our Project List page.

Step 3
The 4-H program is offered at a very nominal annual fee ($50/member and $40/Cloverbud) by Colorado State University Extension in Weld County. The enrollment fee covers insurance and all educational project manuals. 4-H clubs may also charge minimal club fees. Enrollment for members planning to show/participate in the Weld County Fair are due before March 1, 2024; however, to take full advantage of the 4-H experience, youth are encouraged to enroll in the fall of the year. Contact the leader of the group you are interested in joining, and completed your enrollment through 4-H Online. Enrollment through 4-H Online is currently open and closes at 11:00 p.m. on March 1, 2024.

Step 4
Have fun! The mission of 4-H is to help children grow into healthy, productive, and successful adults. This mission is accomplished through involvement of parents, volunteer leaders, and other adults who organize and conduct fun educational experiences in community and family settings.

Stay involved throughout the year with the Clover Connections Newsletter and our website, which are both available online for free. They are both great resources for a first year 4-H family!

As you can see, Weld County has a wide variety of clubs to choose from with so much to offer. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Kim, Extension Agent, at the Weld County Extension Office.

4-H Enrollment

Enrollment Instructions for New and Re-Enrolling Members(PDF, 107KB)

Enrollment Instructions for New and Re-Enrolling Leaders(PDF, 150KB)

2023-2024 Project List(PDF, 95KB)

4-H Online will open for enrollment mid-morning on October 9, 2023.