Mini 4-H

The Mini 4-H bicycle project provides youth with educational information about bicycles and biking that develops project skills, interest, (i.e., bicycle maintenance, operation, safety and bicycle touring) and life skills in decision-making, using science and technology, developing communication skills.

Display a poster board 22" x 28" horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following poster ideas:

1. Draw a picture of you and your bike based on one of the activities in the manual.
2. Take a picture of you and your bike, add a picture of: traffic signs, ways you use your bicycle, rules of the road. or labeling bike parts. 
3. Draw a picture or take a picture of your bicycle helmet. Tell why it is important to wear a helmet. 
4.  Decorate your bicycle as though you were in a parade. Have pictures of your work and use them for your exhibit. 
5.  Plan a short trip and use a map to show the route taken. Draw traffic signs, speed signs, street signs etc. Include pictures and things you needed for the trip.

The Mini 4-H Collections project allows youth to explore why individuals collect various items and spark interest in how to start their very own collection. Youth will practice record keeping and attention to detail while gain first hand experience.

Choose one of the following to exhibit at fair.

1. Collect and exhibit 5 items or pairs of items. These articles can be any kind of fun collection such as        rocks, insects, coins, etc. Attach a 3x5-i card that tells what you collected and why you collected        the items. (If you take this project more than one year, add 5 more articles to your collection each year      to promote collection growth) 

2. Go to a museum and look around at the collection of things. Write a short report of your visit. Things      you can include: 

1. Why do museums collect different materials?
2. Ask someone who works at a museum they they get in the items they collect.
3.  What is the best collection of items? What's the most unusual?

The Mini 4-H Crafts project allows youth to grow and practice self-expression and self-reflection while expressing creativity. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair. 

1. Choose one of the activities in your project manual to exhibit.
2. Create your own craft.
3. Display on a poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with a clear plastic.  

The Mini 4-H Cupcake Decorating project allos youth to grow and practice self-expression and self-reflection while expressing creativity.

Exhibit the following at the fair.

1. Exhibit 3 (three) cupcakes that you have iced and decorated with topping of your choice (nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, candy coated chocolate, or other candy,  etc.) We suggest you do not use pre-made frosting decorations, we want you to be creative and make your own decorations. 

The Mini 4-H Dinosaur project helps youth spark an interest in learning about their favorite dinosaur in a fun and creative way.

Display poster boards should be 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should go at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff baking and covered with clear plastic. 

Make one of the following to exhibit at the fair. 

1. Make a fossil cast. Use something that will make a fossil that might have been around 200 million years ago! (e.g. bones, leaves, and twigs) 
2. Find four pictures of dinosaurs. Answer the following questions for each picture. You may use the dinosaurs that are listed in your manual 
   1. What is the name of the dinosaur?
   2. How big is the dinosaur?
   3. How much does the dinosaur weigh?
   4. What type of dinosaur is it?
3. Make a poster that show how big dinosaurs were. Draw a picture of yourself, house, school, and your favorite dinosaur. 
4. Make a model of your favorite dinosaur. You can use the model material of your choice. 
5. Make a dino-time Dinorama. 
6. Collect 5 types of plants that dinosaurs would be able to eat if they were alive today. (Hint: The plants dinosaurs ate did not have flowers.) Put the plants in a self-made notebook. Answer the following questions:
   1. What's the name of plant?
   2. Why would a dinosaur eat it?
   3. Where did you find the plant?

The Mini 4-H Farm Animal project provides youth the opportunity to learn about farm animals and why they are important to the farm and to us. The project is intended to spark their interest in learning about farming with animals.

Display poster board 22'' x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Make a poster showing the different things that we get from farm animals. (e.g. hamburgers, wool, egg, etc.) 
2. Make a poster showing off the different kinds of farm animals. You can use pictures for your manual or other pictures that you find. 
3. Write a story about your favorite farm animal. 
4. Make a model of your favorite farm animal. Use your manual activity for further suggestions. 
5. Make a poster of your favorite farm animal and identify 5 parts of that animal. 
6. Talk to a farmer. Ask them questions about working on a farm. What animals do they raise and what do they feed their animals? Then write a story about the farmer. 
7. Write or rewrite your favorite fairytale using farm animals.
8. Anything else you can think of about farm animals. Be creative!

The Mini 4-H Foods project is designed to allow youth to have fun in the kitchen as they prepare different foods, do fun experiments, and go on fact-finding missions. The provided curriculum is designed to spark interest in cooking and gaining life skills in the kitchen. 

Display poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair. Choose a different food project each year. 

1. Popcorn snack displayed in a small plastic sandwich bag.
2. Two no-bake cookies displayed in a small plastic sandwich bag. 
3. Two marshmallow bars displayed in a small plastic sandwich bag.
4. A poster you made that shows at least 3 (three) kitchen safety rules.
5. A poster you made that shows MyPlate.
6. A poster you made that shows how to properly measure ingredients. 
7. Your 4-H Cooking Kit.

The Mini 4-H Forestry project helps youth learn how to identify trees, uses of trees, the benefits of trees, and the importance of our woodlands to spark interest our woodlands lead to a greater enjoyment of the outdoors.

Display poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered in clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Choose 1 of the 8 activities from the manual to exhibit. The following year, choose a different activity. 
2. Exhibit 5-7 forestry related items on a poster board. 
3. Books may be made with white paper for manual activities, and color paper used for the cover and back, then stapled together. There should be 5-7 pages in the book.
4. IF forestry is taken again next year, leaves may be collected in the fall for the next year fair exhibit. 
5. In some of the animal activities, there is a choice of exhibits. Choose one of the choice (both exhibits are NOT required.)

The Mini 4-H Gardening project introduces youth to the fun and benefits of growing food. Youth will get hands-on experience planning garden space, planting, managing, and harvesting vegetables.

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Exhibit one plant in a pot (no larger than 10 inches in diameter). You must have taken care of your plant for at least two months.
2. A plate with a maximum of 3 (three) vegetables.
3. A scrapbook of pictures of different types of vegetables. Label each vegetable with its name.

The Mini 4-H Models project allows youth to grow and practice self-expression and self-reflection while expressing creativity in building/ creating a model that interest them.

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Make one snap-together plastic model. Do NOT glue or paint your model. 
2. Make a model using 2-4 different items of your choice. (e.g. clay, toothpicks, sticks, ceramics, sugar cubes, etc.) 
3. Visit a museum and look around at the different models. Write a short story about your visit. Some things you might want to include:
   
   1. What kind of models did you see?
   2. Ask someone who works at the museum how they build their models. Or do they buy them already built?
   3. What was your favorite model? Why did you like this model? How big was it?
4. Make a model using as many different items of your choice. Then make a background for your model to display in.

The Mini 4-H My Pet & Me project allows youth to learn more about their pet(s) and spark an interest in creativity and learning.

Display posters board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic.

1. Make a scrapbook or poster talking about your pet. You might want to include but not limited to:

1. My name is...
2. My pet is...
3. My pet is this old...
4. My pet likes to eat...
5. My pet sleeps in a...
6. I like my pet because...
7. A funny story about my pet would be...

The Mini 4-H Plants & Flowers project allow youth to spark an interest in learning about different plants and flowers, their importance, and how to take care of them!

Display poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Three (3) cut flowers in a vase. The flowers can be the same kind or different kinds. Attach a small label that tells the kind of flower.
2. A flowering plant in a pot. Attach a small label that tells the kind of flowering plant.
3. A house plant. Attach a small label that tells the kind of plant.
4. A cactus. Attach a small label that tells the kind of cactus. (Be Careful!)
5. Exhibit a colored flower. (See manual Activity #6 for directions)
6. Find at least 3 pictures of flowers. Write names of the flowers next to their pictures. You can use flowers in the manual if you would like. Put the flowers in a self-made notebook.
7. Make a poster that shows the different parts of a plant.

The Mini 4-H Photography project allow youth to spark an interest in learning about ways to capture pictures of things they like creatively.

Display poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS MUST BE  4-H APPROPRIATE!

Kindergarten:

1. Exhibit 3 (three) 4x6 print photos of non-moving subjects like landscapes, buildings or scenery.
2. Exhibit 3 (three) 4x6 print photos of your choice.

1st Grade 

1. Exhibit 5 (five) 4x6 print photos with at least two photos being a slow-moving action shot of animals/pets or people.
2. Exhibit 5 (five) 4x6 print photos of your choice.

2nd Grade
Expand on what you have learned in this project and practice taking photos of different subjects.

1. Exhibit 7 (seven) 4x6 print photos of your choice.

The Mini 4-H Reading project is designed for youth to explore the world of literature and books and spark their interest in reading. Reading holds unlimited potential and possibilities.

Display poster 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Draw a picture of your favorite book character.
2. Create a model or diorama of the scene from your favorite book.
3. Write a short story book report of your favorite book. List the name of the book and author. 
4. Design a new book cover for your favorite book.
5. Create a paper bag book report. Decorate a paper bag to show your favorite book, then fill it with 5 items to represent characters or what happens in the book.
6. Make a map of your library to help others find their way around. 
7. Make a poster about your book.
8. Use the Internet to look up more creative ideas about your favorite book.

The 4-H Sewing project encourages youth to learn about sewing and how to start sewing. Youth in the sewing project implement attention to detail, problem solving, and critical thinking. 

Display a poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Choose 1 of the 5 activities out of the manual. Then next year choose a different activity to exhibit.
2. Create a poster of your practice sheet.
3. Create a poster and share information on one of the famous people from your manual, page 19.
4. Create a poster and draw or label the parts of a sewing machine.
5. Create your own poster idea!

The Mini 4-H Sun, Stars, & Space project sparks their interest in learning about outer space. Youth will express their creativity and develop a love of exploring and learning.

Display poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic.

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Make a solar system mobile. You may use any materials that you want. Make sure you label each planet.
2. Exhibit the asteroid you made in Activity #3 in the Manual.
3. Exhibit the comet you made in Activity #4 in the Manual.
4. Make a model or a poster of a shuttle. Label the main parts of the shuttle. 
5. Make a poster showing one or two different constellations. You can use ones in the manual or find new ones.
6. Make a poster showing one or two different planets. Label the planets and tell something about them. You can use the information in the manual or find new ones.
7. Make a poster about your own make-believe planet. Be Creative! If you were going to visit the planet, what would you find?

The Mini 4-H Whales & Dolphins project sparks youth's interest in learning about our aquatic friends and learn about their history.

Display poster board 22" x 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic. 

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Make an Ocean Diorama with whales and dolphins. 
2. Make a whales and dolphins mobile.
3. Make a whale or dolphin model. (Can use any materials)
4. Find 4 pictures of whales or dolphins, color, and cut out and place on a poster and label with the name, size, weight, and type. 
5. Make a poster that shows how big whales are, draw pictures of yourself, your house, school, and your favorite whale and type.
6. Visit a dolphin show, draw a picture of what you saw, then display it on a poster.
7. Make an origami whale or dolphin.
8. Use the Internet to find other creative whale and dolphin ideas.

The Mini 4-H Wildlife project helps spark interest in learning to identify wildlife, basic wildlife needs, and how wildlife interacts in various environments. Observing and studying wildlife can provide a lifetime of enjoyment.

Display a poster board 22" by 28" displayed horizontally. Title should be at the top of the poster. Poster should have a stiff backing and covered with clear plastic.

Choose one of the following to exhibit at the fair.

1. Create a bird poster. See activity #1 in the Manual.
2. Create a bird mobile. See activity #1 in the Manual.
3. Make a bird feeder. See activity #2 in the Manual.
4. Create a bird watching chart poster. See Activity #3 in the Manual.
5. Create a paper airplane. See Activity #4 in the Manual.
6. Collect 3 insects to display at the fair. See Activity #5 in the Manual.
7. Create a local wildlife poster. See Activity #6 in the Manual.

The Mini 4-H Dairy project provides youth with a fun, hands on learning experience with live chickens which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, and personal safety.

You do not need to own a dairy animal to participate in this project! If you have questions about this project, please contact the Dairy Superintendent: Laura Williams  - 260-358-6083. The project superintendent will be in contact with the mini members in this project.

• Show one (1) dairy animal at the Huntington County 4-H Fair. 
• In addition to, or instead of showing a goat, you can also show a Dairy Poster Display in the Exhibit Hall telling us something you learned about dairy cattle.
• The dairy animal you show at the 4-H Fair will NOT be your own dairy animal. The animal must belong to a regular 4-H member in the Dairy project. It can be a brother, sister, cousin, friend, or even a close neighbor. The animal must be shown by the regular 4-H member in the 4-H Dairy show. In other words, an older 4-H member cannot bring an extra animal just for the Mini 4-H member to show.
• Mini 4-H Dairy participants are encouraged to attend at least one Dairy Workshop. 
• The mini 4-H Show will immediately follow the regular 4-H Dairy Showmanship. All Mini 4-H members will show together. The members will be judged on showmanship.
• Mini 4-H members will not sell in the 4-H Auction. 

The Mini 4-H Goat project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience with live goats which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, and personal safety.

You do not need to own a goat to participate in this project! If you have any questions about this project, please contact the Goat Superintendent: Emily VanRyn 260-494-8129. The project superintendent will be in contact with the mini members in this project. 

• Show one (1) goat at the Huntington County Fair.
• In addition to, or instead of showing a goat, you can also show a Goat Poster Display in the Exhibit Hall telling us something you learned about goats.
• The goat you show at the 4-H Fair will NOT be your own goat. The goat must belong to a regular 4-H member in the Goat project. It can be a brother, sister, cousin, friend, or even a close neighbor. The goat must be shown by the regular 4-H member in the 4-H Goat Show. In other words, an older 4-H member cannot bring an extra goat just for the Mini 4-H member to show.
• Mini 4-H Goat participants are encouraged to attend at least one Goat Workshop.
• The Mini 4-H Show will immediately follow the regular 4-H Goat Showmanship. All Mini 4-H members will show together. The members will be judged on showmanship.
• Mini 4-H members will not sell in the 4-H Auction.

The Mini 4-H Horse & Pony project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience with live horse & ponies which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, and personal safety.

You do not need to own a horse or pony to participate in this project! If you have questions about this project, please contact the Horse & Pony Superintendent Keturah Hyde 574-527-2454. The project superintendent will be in contact with the mini members in this project. 

• Show one (1) Horse/Pony at the Huntington County 4-H Fair.
• In addition to, or instead of showing a horse/pony, you can also show a Horse & Pony Poster Display in the Exhibit Hall telling us something you learned about horses and ponies.
• Mini members may show their own horse or pony OR a regular 4-H member's project horse/pony at the 4-H Fair. The mini member working with the horse/pony must be *assisted* by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult 4-H leader in writing by the parent or legal guardian. *(Assisted means that the adult has control of the animal at all times.
• Mini 4-H Horse & Pony participants are encouraged to attend at least one Horse & Pony Workshop/Meeting.
• The Mini 4-H Show/Class will immediately follow the respective 4-H Horse & Pony Class. All Mini  4-H members will show together. The members will be judged on showmanship.
• Mini 4-H members exhibiting horses must wear ASTM or SEI standard F1163 (or above) certified helmets whenever mounted. The parent/guardian is responsible to see that this specified headgear is properly fitted with the approved harness in place and fastened whenever a rider is mounted.
• Mini 4-H members will not sell in the 4-H Auction. 
• For safety reasons, Mini 4-H helpers/handlers will need to wear 4-H appropriate clothing in the show ring while helping the mini member(s).

The Mini 4-H Poultry project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience with live poultry which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, and personal safety.

You do not need to own poultry to participate in this project! If you have questions about this project, please contact the Poultry Superintendent: Tim Bischoff - 260-413-3920. This project superintendent will be in contact with the mini members in this project. 

• Show one (1) bird. Can be a chicken, duck, goose, turkey, or any other type of poultry of any age or gender. Mini 4-H Poultry members may show their own bird or a regular 4-H member's project poultry at the 4-H Fair.
• In addition to, or instead of showing a bird, you can also show a Poultry Poster Display in the Exhibit Hall telling us something you learned about poultry. 
• Mini 4-H Poultry participants are encourage to attend 4-H Poultry Workshops throughout the year as well as club meetings.
• All Mini 4-H Poultry members will show following the regular 4-H Poultry show. Mini 4-H members must be present to show their poultry. Poultry will be judged on care, cleanliness, and general fitness. 
• Mini 4-H members will not sell in 4-H Auction. 

The Mini 4-H Sheep project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience with live sheep which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, and personal safety.

You do not need to own sheep to participate in this project! If you have questions about this project, please contact the Sheep Superintendent: Luke Miller 260-388-2872. The project superintendent will be in contact with the mini members in this project.

• Show one (1) sheep at the 4-H Huntington County Fair.
• In addition to, or instead of showing a sheep, you can also show a Sheep Poster Display in the Exhibit Hall telling us something you learned about sheep.
• The sheep you show at the 4-H Fair will NOT be your own sheep. The sheep must belong to a regular 4-H member in the Sheep project. It can be a brother, sister, cousin, friend, or even a close neighbor. The sheep must be shown by the regular 4-H member in the 4-H Sheep show. In other words, an older 4-H member cannot bring an extra sheep just for the Mini 4-H member to show.
• Mini 4-H participants are encouraged to attend at least one Sheep Workshop.
• The Mini 4-H Sheep Show will immediately follow the regular 4-H Sheep Showmanship. All Mini 4-H members will show together. The members will be judged on showmanship. 
• Mini 4-H members will not sell in the 4-H Auction.

The Mini 4-H Swine project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience with live swine which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, and personal safety.

You do not need to own swine to participate in this project! If you have any questions about this project, please contact the Swine Superintendent - Scott Pursifull 260-760-6602. The project superintendent will be in contact with the mini members in this project.

• Show one (1) pig at the Huntington County 4-H Fair.
• In addition to, or instead of showing a pig, you can also show a Swine Poster Display in the Exhibit Hall telling us something you learned about pigs.
• The pig you show at the 4-H Fair will NOT be your own pig. The pig must belong to a regular 4-H member in the Swine project. It can be a brother, sister, cousin, friend, or even a close neighbor. The pig must be shown by the regular 4-H member in the 4-H Swine Show. In other words, an older 4-H member cannot bring an extra pig just for the Mini 4-H member to show.
• Mini 4-H Swine participants are encouraged attend at least one Swine Workshop.
• The Mini 4-H Swine Show will immediately follow the regular 4-H Swine Showmanship. All Mini 4-H members will show together. The members will be judged on showmanship.
• Mini 4-H members will not sell in the 4-H Auction.