4-H Information
4-H IN BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY
WHAT IS 4-H?
In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. 4-H empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. It’s a research-based experience that includes a mentor, a hands-on project, and a meaningful leadership opportunity.
4-H programs are grounded in the belief that kids learn best by doing. Kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture and civic engagement, in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids can concentrate on one focus area or they can try a variety of programs throughout their 4-H experience.
Regardless of the project area, all 4-H programs include mentoring and career readiness as core elements.
Through life-changing 4-H programs, nearly six million kids and teens have taken on critical societal issues, such as addressing community health inequities, engaging in civil discourse and advocating for equity and inclusion for all. For more than 100 years, 4-H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.
OUR VALUES
4-H MISSION: To empower youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults while also creating sustainable community change
4-H VISION: A world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change
HOW: Through the power of youth; eeffective organizational systems; access, equity, and opportunity; extraordinary opportunities to learn; exceptional people; and innovative practices
OUR TEAM & CONTACT US
OUR 4-H TEAM
- Elisabeth Eaton, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, eleaton@purdue.edu
- Laura Treadway, 4-H Enrichment Program Assistant, treadwal@purdue.edu
- Trish Ward, Office Secretary, ward276@purdue.edu
- Brenda Shireman, Office Manager, bshirema@purdue.edu
- Call us at 812-379-1665
- Or visit our office Monday-Friday between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
ENROLLMENT
4-H (GRADES 3-12)
- Enroll online at v2.4honline.com
- $20 annual program fee
- Paper enrollment forms are also available
- Instructions for Returning Youth Member
- Instructions for New Youth Member
- Instructions for Returning Adult Volunteer
- Instructions for New Adult Volunteer
MINI 4-H (KINDERGARTEN-2ND GRADE)
- Enroll online at v2.4honline.com
- Paper enrollment forms are also available
CLUBS
COLUMBUS CLUBS
- Columbus ShamROCKS
- Happy-Go-Luckies
- Happy H’ers
- Lucky Suns
- Totally Awesome
ELIZABETHTOWN/ROCKCREEK CLUBS
- Happy Faces
- SRC Farmers Jr. & Sr.
- Sandcreek Starz
HOPE CLUBS
- Clover Kids
PETERSVILLE CLUBS
- I.S.S.K.
WHITECREEK CLUBS
- Whitecreek Needlers
PROJECT-BASED CLUBS
- Bartholomew County Bunny Bunch
- Blacksmithing
- Circle C Horse & Pony Club
- Feathered Friends Poultry Club
- Hoosier Hounds Dog Obedience
- Junior Leaders
- Kiddin’ Around Goat Club
- Livestock Judging Team
- Shooting Sports
4-H PROJECTS
The asterisk* indicates a county-only project.
- Achievement*
- Aerospace
- Animal Education
- Arts & Crafts: Any Other Craft
- Arts & Crafts: Construction & Architectural Replica
- Arts & Crafts: Fine Arts
- Arts & Crafts: Model Craft
- Arts & Crafts: Needlecraft
- ATV Safety & Operator Skills
- Barbeque*
- Beef - Dairy Beef - Starter Calf
- Beekeeping
- Bicycle
- Blacksmithing
- Caged Critters*
- Cake Decorating
- Cat
- Child Development
- Collections*
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Consumer Clothing
- Consumer Meats*
- Corn*
- Cupcake Decorating*
- Dairy
- Dog Obedience
- Dry Hay & Forages*
- Electric
- Entomology
- Fashion Revue
- Floriculture
- Foods - Baked & Preserved
- Forestry
- Garden
- Genealogy
- Geology
- Gift Wrapping*
- Goat
- Health
- Home Environment
- Horse & Pony
- Indiana Heritage*
- Junior Leaders*
- Lawn & Garden Tractor Safety & Operator Skills
- Leadership
- Performing Arts*
- Photography
- Plant Science*
- Poultry
- Rabbit
- Reading*
- Recycling*
- Scrapbook*
- Sewing - Wearable & Non-Wearable
- Sheep
- Shooting Sports
- Small Engine
- Soil & Water Science
- Soybeans*
- Sportfishing
- Sports*
- Swine
- Tractor Safety & Operator Skills (Large Ag Tractors)
- Veterinary Science
- Weather & Climate Science
- Welding*
- Wildlife
- Woodworking
- Zero-Turn Mower Safety & Operator Skills
PROJECT MANUALS
- Project manuals are available at our office, 783 S Marr Rd., Columbus, IN 47201
- Project manuals begin at $2
ANIMALS & LIVESTOCK
PREMISE ID
- All 4-H livestock youth are required to obtain a premises ID from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH).
- Visit BOAH's FAQ page for more details.
- Obtain a premises ID from BOAH by visiting their website here.
ANIMAL ID: 4-H ONLINE
- All Animal ID information will be posted shortly. All Animal ID information will need to be completed via 4-H Online by May 15th.
- In order for your animal to be eligible to show at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair and/or the Indiana State Fair, your animal needs to be identified on the 4-H Online database.
Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care
- All 4-H members enrolled in the following livestock projects will need to participate in the Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care program OR the online Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program in order to be able to show at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair and/or the Indiana State Fair: Beef, Dairy, Dairy Starter Calves, Meat Goats, Dairy Goats, Rabbit, Poultry, Sheep, and Swine. To register for the Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care program, please use https://v2.4honline.com. Those planning to be certified through the YQCA program, will register at www.yqcaprogram.org and will present their completion certificate to the 4-H Educator. The completion deadline for these programs is June 1st.
VACCINATION FORMS
LEASE FORMSWEEKLY 4-H HAPPENINGS
Stay up-to-date on all the weekly 4-H happenings by visiting our Bartholomew County 4-H Family Forum. Our 4-H happenings are also emailed out to all 4-H'ers every Monday.
If you are not receiving our emails or if you have any questions, call our office at 812-379-1665.
CALENDAR & IMPORTANT DATES
CALENDAR
Visit our 4-H Events Calendar to learn more about what events are coming up.
IMPORTANT DATES
- 2025 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair June 20th - 28th, 2025
4-H VOLUNTEERS
ENROLLMENT
- Instructions for Returning Adult Volunteer
- Instructions for New Adult Volunteer
TRAINING
- Please complete the 4-H volunteer training as soon as possible
QUESTIONS
- To learn more about becoming a 4-H volunteer, contact Elisabeth Eaton at 812-379-1665 or eleaton@purdue.edu
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIPS
- Bartholomew County 4-H Scholarship
- Deppe Scholarship
- Vicki L. Schwartzkopf Memorial Scholarship
- Daniel Burbrink Memorial Scholarship
- Bartholomew County Service & Leadership Scholarship
- Supreme Showman Scholarship
- Mark Case Scholarship
AWARDS
- Outstanding 4-H Member
- Tenure Award
QUESTIONS
- To learn more about any scholarships or awards, contact Elisabeth Eaton at 812-379-1665 or eleaton@purdue.edu
4-H OPPORTUNITIES
Come back to learn more about exciting 4-H opportunities!
TRIPS
CONTESTS
EXTENSION BOARD
JUNIOR LEADERS
JUNIOR FAIR BOARD
SCHOOL ENRICHMENT
WHAT IS IT?
Our office has the amazing opportunity of providing any private or public school in Bartholomew County with FREE 4-H Enrichment programming. Our 4-H Enrichment Program Assistant offers two different programs for each grade level between kindergarten-6th grade. Each program is designed to fit within 4-H's focus areas (civic engagement, S.T.E.M., and healthy living) while also meeting at least three Indiana academic learning standards.
SCHEDULE
Kindergarten | |
1st grade | |
2nd grade | |
3rd grade | |
4th grade | |
5th grade | |
6th grade |
EMBRYOLOGY SCHEDULE
Fall Session I | |
Fall Session II | |
Spring Session I | |
Spring Session II |
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Kindergarten | Al the Can Man | Happy Hands |
1st grade | Down on the Farm | Don't Throw That Away |
2nd grade | Good Apples | The Web of Life |
3rd grade | My Plate | Mindful Meditation |
4th grade | Little Hands on the Farm | Character Education |
5th grade | Self Care Aware | Whodunit? |
6th grade | Think Like a Shark | Egg Drop |
SIGN UP
Please contact the office to be informed of future programming offerings.