Join the club!

4-H is an extracurricular, volunteer led, family-oriented program that helps young people develop life skills and learn by doing. The basic life skills are building self-confidence, developing an inquiring mind and making decisions, setting and meeting goals, relating to other people, developing a concern for the community, and developing leadership skills.

Regular 4-H offers membership for youth grades 3 through 12. Mini 4-H is a free county program that offers youth in grades Kindergarten, 1, and 2 a chance to participate.

CONTACT US

Purdue Extension Elkhart County 
17746 County Road 34 Ste E
Goshen, IN 46528
(574) 533-0554
elkhartces@purdue.edu

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4-H Enrollment Questions

4-H is open to youth in grades 3-12. Our Mini 4-H program is available to youth in grades K-2.

4-H Welcome Guide

Members have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter that they choose to study through completing hands on activities. We refer to these as projects. In order to enroll in a project, members must sign up for them at the time of enrolling in 4-H. Each project has a manual that guides the youth through the learning process as well as a set of guidelines that helps them meet the project requirements.

We provide adult volunteers and staff who are knowledgeable on that particular subject who will often times provide workshops to allow th​e youth to learn about that topic in a social environment. Each project has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level-this allows youth to build on their knowledge each year and continue to challenge their skills. Projects are meant to be worked on over time, providing an educational opportunity for youth outside of the classroom setting. Often times, youth will exhibit and display their project at a local county​ fair in order to show the community what they have learned.

 

The Elkhart County 4-H program offers more than 70 projects for area youth! Check out all the projects in the "Resources for Current 4-H Members" section below.

Enrollment in 4-H (grades 3-12) is $20 per youth. If a family has more than three youth enrolled in 4-H, the maximum program fee is $60 per family. Our Mini 4-H program (grades K-2) is free!

Each year open enrollment opens on October 1st. You can enroll online or using a paper enrollment form.

  1. Enroll online at https://v2.4honline.com

    OR

  2. - 4-H (grades 3-12) - Download a paper enrollment form in English or Spanish.
    - Mini 4-H (grades K-2) - Download a paper enrollment form in English or Spanish.

    Complete a form for each youth you are enrolling and turn it in to the Purdue Extension Elkhart County Office. (Paper forms are also available in the Extension Office.) Enrollment forms can be dropped off or mailed to:
    Purdue Extension Elkhart County
    17746 County Road 34 Ste E
    Goshen, IN 46528

Need help? Check out these step-by-step instructions for returning or new 4-H members.

Have additional questions while enrolling? Give our office a call at 574-533-0554. We look forward to helping you!

 

4-H Welcome Guide

Elkhart County 4-H has over 55 clubs! Some are "Subject-Specific Clubs" while others are "General Clubs". Subject-Specific Clubs focus on a specific subject area. General Clubs focus on a variety of subject areas.Your club leader will pass out your manuals, other relevant paperwork to you throughout the year, and they're a great resource to ask any questions you may have throughout the year. For a map of club meeting locations, click here. Below is a list of our Subject-Specific Clubs and General Clubs. Click on a club name to view the club's information such as the leader's name and contact information, meeting time, and location.

 

Subject-Specific Clubs

General Clubs

The Purdue Extension Elkhart County office is located on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds at 17746 County Road 34, Goshen, IN 46528. The office is the first red brick building when you pull into the Gate 2 drive off Monroe St./CR 34. We are open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm. (We do not close for lunch.) We are closed during County Government holidays. You can also give our office a call at 574-533-0554 with questions or email us at elkhartces@purdue.edu

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Resources for Current 4-H Members

The Friday 4-H Nugget provides the latest 4-H news every first and third Friday of the month and is emailed to all 4-H families. 

For poster projects, download the general Poster Construction Guidelines here.

Elkhart County 4-H Policy & Procedures (coming soon)

Summary of 2025-2026 4-H Project Updates (coming soon)

Project Change Form Request

Projects marked with an asterisk (*) require participation in a Subject-Specific Elkhart County 4-H Club.

You can order project manuals here. 4-H members will have the option to pick up their manuals at the Extension Office or request that the 4-H Leader pick up their project manuals and bring them to a 4-H club meeting. Online versions of manuals are available for downloading/printing under the "4-H Projects" section above as well.

Are you a club officer and want to learn more about your position? Download more information about each position below:

  • Scholarships - Due January 15, 2026
    • Scholarship Packet
    • Help Book
    • State Scholarship 4-H Online Instructions
    • Scholarship & College Search Workshop
      • January 7, 2026 from 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Purdue Extension Elkhart County Extension Office - Conference Room
      • This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights and strategies that can make a significant difference in your scholarship applications and financial planning for college.
      • What to Expect:
        • Expert Tips and Tricks: Learn how to effectively apply for local and state 4-H scholarships.
        • Explore More Opportunities: Discover additional scholarship options that you might not be aware of.
        • FAFSA and Financial Aid: Understand the importance of the FAFSA and how to utilize other financial aid resources, including cost comparison tools.
      • Register at https://scholarship2026.4honline.com
      • For more information, contact Corey Sharp, 4-H Youth Development Educator, at (574) 533-0554 or sharp22@purdue.edu 
  • Awards
    • Youth Awards - Coming soon
    • Millie Christofeno Perseverance Award - Coming Soon

Career Development Events

  • Livestock Skillathon

    • Flyer - Coming Soon
  • Dairy Foods/Milk Quality & Products
    • Join the 2026 4-H Dairy Foods Team! Calling all youth in grades 3–12! Learn about milk quality, cheese evaluation, careers in dairy, and how your favorite dairy products are made!
      Team Meeting Dates (7:00 PM | Extension Office):
      • Monday, January 12
      • Monday, January 19
      • Monday, January 26
      • Monday, February 2
      • Tuesday, February 10
      State Contest: Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Purdue University
      If you have questions, contact Robby Kelly at 574-533-0554 or kelly115@purdue.edu 
Trips
  • 4-H Law & Lunch

    • You are invited to our 4-H Law & Lunch program on (Th) December 11 at the new Elkhart County Judicial Center! (1905 Reliance Road, Goshen, IN 46526)

      Participants will meet at the Judicial Center at 9:00am. We will work our way through security and then enter Judge Michael A. Christofeno's courtroom. He will be hearing criminal cases that morning. We will be seated in the gallery and watch/listen. Around noon he will meet with our group and provide a brief tour. 

      This event is free for 4-H'ers. You will need to be enrolled in 4-H to be able to attend. Lunch will be provided from Buffalo Wild Wings. If you have any questions or would like to know more contact Sthele.

       Here is the link to register: https://lawlunch2025.4honline.com

  • Northern Indiana Animal Science Day Camp
    • Flyer - Coming soon
    • Register via 4-H Online - Coming soon
  • 4-H Academy 
    • Register - Coming soon
  • 4-H Camp - Register via 4-H Online - Coming Soon
    • SAVE THE DATE!

      4-H Camp will be June 2-5, 2026 at Camp Amigo in Sturgis, MI. 4-H Counselor Retreat will be the weekend of April 25-26 at Camp Amigo. Counselors will also need to arrive at Camp Amigo on June 1. Please add those dates to your calendar! 

      I realize some schools may be still in session in early June. Indiana residents may receive up to six excused absences now for 4-H events via House Bill 1660.

      Event registrations should be available by mid-December for campers and counselors. Stay tuned for the Friday 4-H Nugget in mid-December for all the details! The cost for campers and counselors is $130. That amount includes all food, lodging and activities. 

      If you are interested or have questions, please email Sthele.

    • 4-H Camp Registration Instructions
    • 4-H Camp Flyer  - Coming Soon
  • Indiana Statehouse Trip 
    Join Indiana 4-H’ers in 7th-12th grade on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 on a trip to the Indiana Statehouse! They will learn about their state government through a day full of civic engagement & leadership opportunities. Participants will tour the state house, meet representatives, and have the opportunity to serve as student pages! For more information, contact your extension educator and/or register for this event via 4HOnline. Registration ends January 15!

    Here is a story written by a 4-H'er who attended last year: View Story
Ten-Year 4-H Members
  • 5 Year Pass/Senior Spotlight - coming in June
  • Register for Ten-Year Senior Spotlight - Coming soon

Fundraising

  • Geranium Sales
    • Geranium Flyer & Order Form - Coming soon
    • 4-H Club Leader order form - Coming soon

Contests

  • Public Speaking & Demonstrations Contest

Grill Masters

  • Flyer - Coming soon
  • Registration Link: Coming soon

 

Mini 4-H

Mini 4-H introduces Kindergarten, first, and second graders to 4-H. Elkhart County 4-H sponsors many activities to help youth learn and have fun.

Make sure to check out the links below for the Mini 4-H newsletter, important dates, leader information, upcoming events and workshops, and more!  

You can order project manuals here. Mini 4-H members can pick up their manuals at the Extension Office. Online versions of manuals are also available for downloading/printing below.

The Purdue Extension Elkhart County office is located on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds at 17746 County Road 34, Goshen, IN 46528. The office is the first red brick building when you pull into the Gate 2 drive off Monroe St./CR 34. We are open Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm. (We do not close for lunch.) We are closed during County Government holidays. You can also give our office a call at 574-533-0554 with questions or email us at elkhartces@purdue.edu

4-H Volunteer Information

We have a variety of involvement opportunities available. We rely heavily on adults who care about the development of youth in order to deliver positive youth development experiences to our youth. All volunteers must pass a background check and participate in training through Purdue Extension. For more information on becoming a volunteer, contact the Extension Office at 574-533-0554 to speak with a 4-H Extension Educator.

Each year adult volunteers will need to enroll in https://v2.4honline.com as a returning or new adult volunteer. Below are instructions on how to complete the online enrollment. If you need additional assistance, please contact the Extension Office at 574-533-0554 or email elkhartces@purdue.edu

Club Forms

Fair Competitions

  • 4-H Cup Award - Coming Soon 

Animals/Livestock

You will enroll them at https://v2.4honline.com. View/download the 4-H Online Animal ID instructions here. All Animal ID information will need to be completed via 4-H Online by May 15, 2025. Failure to do so will result in not being able to show.

  • In order for your animal to be eligible to show at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair and/or the Indiana State Fair, your animal needs to be identified on the 4-H Online database.
  • The following animal species must complete Animal ID:
    • Beef
    • Dairy Cows
    • Dairy Feeder Calf
    • Goat
    • Horse and Pony
    • Lamb
    • Rabbit
    • Swine

View the 2025 Livestock Update newsletter - Coming soon

All 4-H members enrolled in the following livestock projects will need to participate in a Livestock Quality Care class in order to be able to show at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair and/or the Indiana State Fair: Beef, Dairy, Dairy Feeder, Goats, Lambs, Poultry, Rabbits, and Swine. The completion deadline is June 15, 2025. To sign up, visit https://qlc20242025.4honline.com/  There is also an online option of using YQCA (yqcaprogram.org). If you are completing YQCA, your certificate must be emailed to Brandy Cavanagh at bcavanagh@purdue.edu or dropped off in the Extension Office by June 15, 2025.

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.

View/download vaccination forms below.

View/download lease forms below.

View the flyer, sign-up sheet, study guide, and rules below.

Fair Entry

Fair Entry Website: https://elkhartcountyin.fairentry.com

 Fair Entry Instructions

 

Fair Time!

Download the 4-H check-in, judging, and pick-up calendar here: July 4-H Calendar

Ten Year Seniors

Congratulations to our graduating seniors who completed 10 years in the 4-H program!