Policies and procedures

section 2: 4-H participation

2.1 4-H Eligibility

Purdue Extension is part of the College of Agriculture at Purdue University, cooperating with Indiana’s 92 Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of Purdue University and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Youth may become 4-H members when they enter the third grade and may continue their membership through the completion of grade 12 and/or the end of the 4-H Program Year of their 18th birthday.

Exceptions:

  • Youth who enroll in grade three and are advanced academically (thus graduating early) may continue through the end of the 4-H Program Year of their 18th birthday.
  • Those youth who enroll in grade three and are retained a grade in school may continue to progress through the 4-H Program by adding subsequent years of participation, and may continue participation through their senior year in high school.
  • Those youth who entered the program in 3rd grade and for one reason or another leave formal education prior to the completion of 12th grade may continue through the end of the 4-H Program Year of their 18th birthday. 
  • Limited 4-H scholarships and awards may have specific qualifications extended beyond the typical grade listed for 4-H eligibility.
  • Additional exceptions may be requested to the State 4-H Leader or his/her designee.

 Opportunities in the 4-H program are available to all Indiana youth as defined regardless of race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or disability. The Indiana 4-H Youth Development program year is October 1 to September 30 annually. Individual 4-H enrollment is an annual process attained by completing individual 4-H enrollment via the 4-H Online enrollment process. Statewide 4-H Online enrollment occurs annually October 1.

 

2.2 Mini 4-H

Mini 4-H is a program designed to encourage positive development of children, Kindergarten through second grade. Mini 4-H is not a requirement yet is available in the majority of counties in Indiana. The goal of Mini 4-H is to help young children explore friendships outside the family; explore the way in which things work; practice both small and large muscle control; and think about the ways people work together on projects.

The NON-COMPETITIVE learning environment for Mini 4-H includes:

  1. Planned learning activities in which children are invited to be active and explore materials and ideas without the pressure of completing a specific product or exhibit.
  2. Low adult/leader to child ratio that allows time for adults/leaders to provide individual, positive encouragement and assistance.
  3. Simple, interesting activities that are
  4. Encouragement of children to participate in a group activity by sharing and or displaying their activity projects.
  5. Rewards that are identical and/or ribbons of the same color for everyone.

DO NOT JUDGE projects, but instead discuss them with the child. If counties have Mini 4-H animal exhibitions, additional requirements may apply for the safety of participants, see Policy 9.2 (Safety Policy for Mini 4-H Members).

NOTE: Purdue University and the Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program do not support, endorse, or encourage 4-H programming for children prior to Kindergarten. 4-H Youth Development Extension staff members and 4-H Volunteers may not offer, or encourage others to offer, programming for children prior to Kindergarten.

 

2.3 Youth needing special accommodations and opportunities

4-H programs should be designed to consider the needs of participants to create a sense of belonging and feeling of inclusion among all youth. Accommodations may be requested for youth who need them.

The following accommodation statement should be included on all 4-H event registrations:

For accommodations, please contact the Purdue Extension 4-H Professional

Purdue Extension meets all reasonable and timely accommodation requests. Programming should always strive for youth to develop a sense of belonging. Youth today are more modest and may require more privacy and communications than previous generations. This can create practical challenges for certain 4-H events.
For example, overnight events may require shared lodging in Purdue University residence halls or camping facilities assigning two or more people per space according to their sex when completing their 4-H Online profile. Another example is recognizing that youth may have medical or cultural dietary restrictions.
Accommodations may be requested for anyone who requires special meal arrangements due to allergies, intolerances, medical conditions (such as diabetes or celiac disease), or religious practices. Purdue Extension staff members should work with parents and youth if alternative arrangements are required or requested. State 4-H Staff members should be consulted.
  

2.4 Marriage status and parental status

Married individuals and parents who meet school grade requirements to participate in Indiana 4-H are eligible to fully participate in the 4-H program and are eligible for all benefits therein. All participants must participate by the same terms and conditions and/or guidelines regardless of marriage or parental status.

 

2.5 County of participation/dual enrollment

Indiana youth typically enroll in 4-H Youth Development programs in the county or state in which they reside. However, individuals living in one county may join 4-H in another county, this is usually for an educational or social reason.

During a single program year, a 4-H member can enroll in the county of their choice and may enroll in a clubs/projects in other counties. For example, a youth may enroll as a 4-H Member is Lincoln County, but may then enroll in the llama club in Hoover County. A youth may only exhibit a in one county. For example, a youth may show their beef project in Lincoln County and their fine arts projects in Hoover County, but they may not show the one project in multiple counties. The county of enrollment is at the discretion of the parent or legal guardian.