4-H & Youth Development

Hancock County 4-H

We want to extend a warm welcome and encourage you and your family to make 4-H a part of your life. 4-H is a youth development program that is a part of the United States Department of Agriculture and administered in Indiana by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Locally, the Hancock County office of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and the Hancock County 4-H Ag Association, Inc. administers the Hancock County 4-H program.

Please find the calendar of upcoming 4-H events here on this link (opens in a new window)

Contact Us and Quick Links

Amber Barks, Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development
abarks@purdue.edu
972 E. Park Avenue
Greenfield, IN 46140

Indiana 4-H

4-H Enrollment

Hancock County 4-H Monthly Newsletters

4-H OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 1

The 2024-2025 4-H Program Year starts on October 1st! Traditional 4-H Members, Mini 4-H Members, and Adult Volunteers must enroll each year to participate in the program.

4-H Enrollment Questions

Enrollment in Indiana 4-H is open to youth grades 3-12 and will run Oct. 1, 2023– Jan. 15, 2024. Mini 4-H is available to youth grades K-2 and has a $10 enrollment fee per member.

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 the 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.

There is no limit to the number of projects youth can sign up for with their $25 enrollment fee!

The Hancock County 4-H program offers more than 60 projects for area youth. Check out our 4-H Handbook to learn about all the opportunities to dive into topics you enjoy.

It is $25 per youth to enroll in 4-H for the year. If a family has more than three youth enrolled in 4-H, the max program fee is $75 per family. These fees not only cover all the manuals and educational materials needed for your projects, but it also supports the local program and enables the county program to fund further educational activities. Contact our office for details on the family discount.

Online Enrollment opens October 1st - https://v2.4honline.com
- Guide to enrolling as a NEW youth member
- Guide to re-enrolling a youth member

Your 4-H club in Hancock County serves as your home base and there are over 20 clubs to pick from. 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. There is a club in every township, so you're sure to find one close by. However, you can attend any club meeting that you'd like, so you can choose a club outside of your township, if their meeting schedule is more convenient for you.

Purdue Extension- Hancock County is located at 972 E Park Ave, Greenfield, IN 46140. We are open Monday- Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. We are closed during County Government Holidays and voicemail is available during non-business hours. Visit the Extension Office web site at www.extension.purdue.edu/hancock for the most up-to-date information about Hancock County 4-H. Our phone number is 317-462-1113

4-H PLEDGE:

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking

My HEART to greater loyalty

My HANDS to larger service

My HEALTH to better living for my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World.

4-H MOTTO: "To Make the Best Better"

4-H COLORS: Green and White

4-H SLOGAN: "Learn by Doing"

THE 4 H's:

HEAD: Learning to think, making decisions, understanding the "whys", and gaining new and valuable
HEART: Being concerned with the welfare of others, accepting the responsibilities of citizenship, determining the values and attitudes by which to live, and learning how to work with others.
HANDS: Learning new skills, perfecting skills already known, and developing pride in work
HEALTH: Practicing healthful living, protecting the well-being of self and others, and making constructive use of leisure time.

RESOURCES FOR CURRENT 4-H MEMBERS

The 2025 Handbook is available as a digital copy here. Printed copies will be available at the end January!

4-H Newsletter are emailed at the beginning of each month. Download the recent 4-H Newsletters here:

Extension-News:county/hancock/2021/01/achievement-portfolio/4-H-Achievement-Portfolio-Documents

Achievement Portfolio

Some projects are available on a county level only. Others are regulated by the Indiana 4-H State office and are eligible to move onto participating at the Indiana State Fair if they are selected to be promoted during county fair judging! Below is links to the project information available through the State Office. Please be sure you are also reading the Hancock County 4-H Handbook before bringing your projects to the Hancock County Fair!

Animal Science:

Communication and Expressive Arts:

Engineering and Technological Science:

Healthy Living:

Leadership and Citizenship:

Genealogy

Plant and Environmental Science:

Posters are displayed horizontally; 22"x28" and mounted on a firm backing and covered in clear plastic or other transparent material for members in grade 3-12. (Please note mini 4-H has different requirements) Be sure to include your exhibit identification label with your name, grade, club, and project on a 2”x4” label (may be computer generated on your own). Please check your project guidelines for more specific instructions because some projects require more information on the identification label. The 22”x28” foam core poster board is available in the Extension Office on a first come, first served basis at minimal charge.

**All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.

A Good Poster: Attracts attention, is simple and clear, and interests someone in your project.

When forming ideas for a poster: Know the project requirements, read the manual (look for ideas), brainstorm ideas and make a list, think of a title with alliterations (repeating a sound in each word), look at other posters for ideas (but don’t copy!).

Tips to Remember:

Don’t use too many words.
Use a combination of illustrations and words.
Be as neat as you can.
Cut evenly, apply adhesive carefully.
Leave white space on the poster.
Make sure the poster is balanced.
You can obtain clear plastic poster sleeves at the Extension Office for a nominal cost or by the yard in the fabric stores or you can use window shrink plastic available in many hardware stores.
For hard backing you may use foam core board that is also available at the Extension Office or thick cardboard, or lightweight wood (check the size – should measure 22” x 28”).
Choose colors carefully. Note the following general guidelines:
Black tends to be more formal, neat, rich, and strong.
Blue is cool, melancholy, or depressed.
Purple is considered royal, imperial.
Red stands for love as well as anger.
Orange is festive.
Yellow tends to be warm, light, or ripe.
Green is fresh, young, or growing.
White means pure, clean, and neat.

Things you should never do:

Make a vertical poster.
Use plastic food wrap to cover.
Use staples, tacks, or tape.
Use fluorescent posters.
Create a poster that is all words or all pictures.

Steps to follow when making a poster:

Read your project manual.
Read your county project requirements.
Decide on information to include on the poster.
Sketch out your idea.
Collect supplies.
Mark guidelines for lettering and pictures (lightly).
Layout letters, pictures, etc. on the poster.
Glue items down.
Clean up the poster so it is neat. Erase any guidelines that are showing. Remove excess glue.
Label size should be 2x4".
Glue poster to backing.
Cover poster with plastic.
Take your poster to the fair on the right day and time.

You can view an informational video below!

Video: Making a 4-H Poster

You will enroll them at v2.4honline.com. See more information below in the animal enrollment section.

The Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program annually awards more than $125,000.00 in scholarships to 4-H members to pursue post-secondary education. Scholarships are awarded to recognize youth participating in Indiana’s 4-H Youth Development Program on their achievements and life skill development resulting from their participation in a variety of 4-H experiences. You can view the information and applications for these scholarships by clicking here.

**We also have several Hancock County 4-H Scholarships available for 4-H members in their senior year of high school or last year of 4-H eligibility. The following 4-H scholarship applications are available with due dates listed, click on name of scholarship for details/application.

Showdown Livestock Scholarship - due May 15. Application must be submitted through the google form:https://forms.gle/vfssbU7pYnjnXF3x7 Requirements are that you must be a current 4-H member in your senior year of high school, shown beef, boer goat, horse & pony, sheep or swine for at least five years at the Hancock County 4-H Fair and be enrolled in a college, university or technical school. Five awarded.
Friends-4-Jessica Foundation Scholarship – due JUNE 1 (applications must be submitted to Rob & Linda Barnhart via email listed on form) must be accepted to an accredited college, university, or other post-secondary institution Amount: $500, three awarded.
Greenfield York Rite Scholarship - due JUNE 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed, faxed or handed in to the Extension Office) Applicant must have a 3.0 (out of a possible 4) grade point average and be a member of 4-H with a minimum of 6 (six) years participation. Amount: $1000, one awarded.
Riley Settergren 10 Year 4-H Scholarship - due JUNE 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed, faxed or handed in to the Extension Office) Applicant must be a 10 year 4-H member, have shown some type of animal all 10 years in 4-H, and be accepted to a 4 or 2 year college or trade school. Amount: $500, one awarded.
Peggy Meeks Memorial Scholarship - due JUNE 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed, faxed or handed in to Extension Office) Applicants must intend to pursue a trade school, Associate Degree, or a four year degree in Consumer and Family Sciences or related degree. Applicants must also have a B grade point average and be a member of 4-H with a minimum of four (4) years of participation. Amount: $500, one awarded.
MSP Seals 4-H Scholarship - due JUNE 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed, faxed or handed in to the Extension Office). This will be awarded to a Hancock County 4-Her in his/her 10th year of 4-H. Amount: $200, one awarded.
Jim & Ann McDaniel Memorial Scholarship - due JUNE 15 (do not email; must be directly mailed to Duane Parker, address listed on form). Requirements are that you must be a current 4-H sheep member in your senior year of high school, been a 5 year member of sheep in Hancock County, and enrolled in a college, university or technical school. Amount: $400, one awarded.
The Keith "Brownie" Brown 4-H Beef Scholarship - due JUNE 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed, faxed or handed in to the Extension Office). Applicant must be currently enrolled in the Hancock County 4-H Beef project and have at least two years of experience in the Hancock County 4-H Beef project. Amount: $500, one awarded.
Cheryl Smith Memorial 4-H Scholarship- due JUNE 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed or handed in to the Extension Office). One awarded
The Jack (Bud) L Wesley Scholarship: due JUNE 1 Appliant must be a senior currently enrolled in the Hancock County 4-H program and planning to pursue a post-secondary education.
4-H Alumni Scholarship - due AUGUST 1 (do not email; must be directly mailed, faxed or handed in to the Extension Office). Requirements are that applicants be a ten year Hancock County 4-H member. Amount: $500, one awarded.
The Helping Hand Award - Due JUNE 15 - was created to give young 4-Hers the opportunity to thank 4-Hers, in their senior year of high school, for their help. Criteria includes:
-Senior 4-Her must be nominated by a younger 4-Her
-Cannot be a sibling or relative
-Open to any senior 4-H member
-Nominating member must write a small paragraph saying why you nominated this 4-Her

Award will be presented to winner during the 4-H Fair. Forms must be submitted to Ben Shores at 8242 N 400 E, Greenfield, IN 46140 or helpinghandaward@yahoo.com

4-H Potential Candidate Letter

Application Link

To exhibit beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry and rabbits, 4-H members must be certified through the Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care Training or YQCA. Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Care Training is an annual program that can be completed with in-person trainings. YQCA is available to complete online at https://yqcaprogram.org. While this is a new requirement, it should not be viewed as just another rule but rather as an important educational opportunity for 4-H livestock members. Making this an exhibition rule is how we are ensuring that 4-H members learn about quality assurance, but it really has nothing to do with animal exhibition. This is required so youth learn best management practices with their animals. The goals of having 4-H members complete the YQCA program include ensuring that:

Youth will be more prepared to be ambassadors for animal agriculture in their role as youth livestock exhibitors.
Animals from youth livestock programs are treated with the utmost care.
4-H members are contributing to a safe, wholesome food supply.

Junior Leaders is designed for 4-H members in grades 7-12th the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Junior Leaders provide guidance to younger 4-H members, assist with local and county 4-H activities, complete community service projects, meet new friends, and have FUN! While our youth may be most well known for their walking tacos that they sell at the fair the money they raise from this fundraiser allows them to give back to the community and provide additional learning opportunities.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month. If you are in grades 7 through 12 and want to participate, add the Jr. Leader project to your 4-HOnline profile and you will begin receiving project information and notifications about opportunities for the group!

Questions? Email Amber at abarks@purdue.edu

The 4-H Record of Achievement form is due to our office August 1st. Please make sure that you have turned in your records to your 4-H Leaders OR to the Extension Office if you are not affiliated with a club or if you Leader directs you to turn it in.

Please note that our office only needs a "copy" of the 4-H Record of Achievement form (front and back!!), you should keep the originall - we do not need the entire green book. Our files are overflowing here in the office and we only need to refer to the Record of Achievement. You can submit it by email by sending it to hancockces@purdue.edu or drop a copy off at the office.

Why do we have record sheets? Record sheets are a good way for you to keep track of all of the things you have done while you have been involved in 4-H. They are also what are used to select awards each year. When you near college age, it is important to have up- to-date records so that you can be considered for various scholarships. Record sheets also show that you have completed a 4-H project.

When 4-H members begin, every 4-Her should receive a Green Record Book and a white achievement card. This is where they will record information throughout their 4-H journey. Each year, you should add new information to the white Record of 4-H Achievement card. Then you will put this Record of Achievement along with the General Record sheet inside your Green Record Book.

Achievement Record- Adobe PDF Format

MINI 4-H INFORMATION

The Mini 4-H Program is designed to supplement and introduce Kindergarten, First, and Second graders to the 4-H Program. Mini 4-H is open to youth in kindergarten, first, or second grade by the spring of the current year.

Save the dates for 2025 Mini 4-H meetings! All meetings will be in the Sarh Burke 4-H Exhibit Hall (620 Apple Street, Greenfield, IN 46140) and will be from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Meetings will be Jan 30, Feb 27, March 27, April 24, May 29.

Project manuals can be downloaded from the links below. Free hard copies of these booklets are available in our office at 972 E Park Ave, Greenfield, IN 46140, if you would like to pick up your copies!

2025 Mini 4-H Handbook.pdf

Mini Wildlife 1st Grade

Mini Wildlife 2nd Grade

Mini 4-H Poster Labels

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 provided by the County 4-H Educator.

TYPES OF VOLUNTEERS

4-h club LEADER

Provide support and leadership to a "club" of 4-H members. Share information with members and help individuals achieve their desired results. Recruit parents and other volunteers to assist with programs and projects and serve as the linkage between the County Extension office and your club. Time commitment varies, but most clubs meet on a monthly basis throughout the year and conduct community service activities.

PROJECT superintendent

This is a very defined role to assist members with knowledge and subject matter information related to a single project. Most project leaders have some previous experience in a specific area, but if you are willing to learn and be a teacher, plenty of educational opportunities exist. Time commitment varies, depending on the project.

SPECIAL INTEREST LEADER

This is a short term position that brings together the interests of the volunteer with the interest of the youth. Special interests are usually short term with a definite beginning and ending. If you have a special skill, talent or hobby you would like to share, chances are there are young people who would like to learn from you.

HANCOCK COUNTY 4-H AG ASSOCIATION MEMBER:

The Hancock Co. 4-H Ag Association, Inc. has the responsibility of securing adequate finances for 4-H programs, adult phases of the 4-H County Fair, to receive monies and expend them on 4-H and adult phases, to lease, own or manage and develop the 4-H grounds and its facilities, to plan and carry out the County Fair in cooperation with 4-H adult leaders and other interested groups, to secure sponsors for various phases of 4-H in cooperation with 4-H adult leaders’ groups and to secure sponsors for local or county achievement programs. You can learn more by clicking here.

"I love helping the kids get the full benefits from the 4-H program. 4-H has influenced my life in so many ways including watching the children grow in their understanding of their role in the community and their role as an individual and friend. It also helps remind myself of the responsibility I carry as an individual even as an adult."

- Indiana 4-H Volunteer

Step 1 is to contact our office for an application. Once your application has been approved, you can click here for instructions to enroll as a NEW volunteer with Indiana 4-H!

If you are a returning volunteer, you can see a guide for returning volunteers here!

Are you a new 4-H Volunteer? This series of six modules provides you with a basic overview of the 4-H Program. Included are video lessons, files with the lesson plans included, and a written quiz to test your knowledge on each module. Click here to begin the new 4-H Volunteer Orientation Information.

4-H ANIMAL ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

4-H members (Grades 3 – 12) must identify all Beef and Dairy Cattle, Goats, Horses, Llamas, Sheep and Swine in the 4-H Online system by May 15th to be eligible for exhibition at the Indiana State Fair 4-H Animal Shows. Beef and Dairy Cattle, Meat Goats, Sheep and Swine must submit DNA hair samples by May 15th to their local County Extension to be eligible for Indiana State Fair 4-H Animal Shows.

Please see these resources from the Indiana State 4-H Office for animal enrollment.