Jackson County - Mini 4-H

Mini 4-H is designed to allow youth in grades K - 2 to get a small look into the vast project choices that 4-H offers. Youth are encouraged to explore projects in the Mini 4-H manuals and exhibit their favorite project(s).

Safety policy for Mini / Exploring 4-H Members:

The safety and well being of our 4-H youth is of the utmost importance. Although kindergarten is specified as the time when a child may begin participation in some 4-H events and activities, parents are encouraged to take into consideration their child’s physical and mental development before agreeing to let the child begin to show, work with, or care for animals. Each child matures at a different rate, and children in grades K-2 may still be too young to begin showing, working with, or caring for animals.

The State 4-H Youth Program at Purdue University has agreed to allow Mini/Exploring 4-H members in grades K-2, to participate in some animal projects subject to certain conditions. These conditions are specified below.

Each county may determine its own NON-COMPETITIVE programs, classes, and participation requirements subject to the following safety guidelines:

“Mini/Exploring 4-H members, in grades K through 2, will be allowed to show, work with, or care for animal projects after their parent or legal guardian has signed a liability release. Mini/Exploring 4-H members may independently show, work with, or care for animals that weigh 300 pounds or less. Mini/Exploring 4-H members may only show, work with, or care for animals over 300 pounds when they are assisted by a parent, legal guardian, or another adult designated in writing by parent or legal guardian.” (The word assisted means that the adult has control of the animal at all times.)

Mini/Exploring 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.

If the guidelines stated in this policy are not followed for a particular event or activity, then such event or activity shall not be considered to be a 4-H event or activity and shall not be under the auspices of Extension 4-H educators or covered by Purdue University.