Randolph County 4-H

4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

4-H began over 100 years ago, and has since grown into the largest youth development program in the nation. 4-H prepares young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands-on experiences alongside their peers and caring adults. Backed by a network of more than 6 million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni; 4-H delivers research-based programming around positive youth development. 4-H is delivered through America's 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service reaching every corner of our nation.

In Indiana, 4-H can be found in all 92 counties as delivered through Purdue Extension. Community clubs, afterschool programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program.

Contact Us and Quick Links

Julie Wilson 

Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development
jelsbury@purdue.edu
1885 South Us Hwy 27
Winchester, IN 47394

 

Indiana 4-H 

4-H Enrollment

 

4-H OPEN ENROLLMENT BEGINS OCTOBER 1

The 2021-2022 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.

Register for 4-H

4-H Volunteer Information

We have a variety of involve​ment 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

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.

RESOURCES FOR CURRENT 4-H MEMBERS

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 Randolph County 4-H fairbook before bringing your projects to the Randolph County Fair!

Animal Science:

Communication and Expressive Arts:

Engineering and Technological Science:

Healthy Living:

Leadership and Citizenship:

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:

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

You can view an infomational video below! 

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 Randolph County 4-H Scholarships available- more information will be posted soon for the 2022 applications. 

To exhibit beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry and rabbits, 4-H members must be certified through the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals. This is an annual program that can be completed via online modules or in-person trainings. More information about YQCA is available 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:

  1. Youth will be more prepared to be ambassadors for animal agriculture in their role as youth livestock exhibitors.
  2. Animals from youth livestock programs are treated with the utmost care.
  3. 4-H members are contributing to a safe, wholesome food supply.

This will provide quality assurance education on all species not just swine, as we have used the Pork Quality Assurance Program in the past. The PQA program will be phasing out effective 12/31/2017 and the new YQCA will replace the current PQA program. Several of the national shows are already utilizing this program. If your PQA certification is still valid in 2021, you will be grandfathered in and will not need to take the YQCA course this year. The PQA certification will cover all species you are showing for this year. If you need to know if you are still certified under PQA, please contact our office by calling 317-462-1113.       

Each 4-H member must register for instructor-led trainings prior to arriving at the session. To register you need to go to https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login. You will use your 4-H Online account information to login using the 4-H Online portion on the left side of the screen. Once you have logged into the system you will have to register each youth member that needs this certification. Step-by-step instructions can be found attached below. 

Each 4-H member will then come to a screen that shows different courses based on their age level. Select the course appropriate for their age. You will select the age you turned in the previous calendar year. Once you have selected the course you will see a different screen that shows two option: web-based ($12) or instructor –led ($3). If you want to register to take the training in person through Purdue Extension Hancock County, you must select the $3.00 option and pay via credit card. The only way to pay for this training is by credit card online. We cannot accept cash or check for this. Financial assistance from our office can be provided upon request.

Each 4-H member will also have the option of taking the web-based option for $12.00. If you decide to go this route, you do not have to attend a training session in person. You will take the course online at home, on your own time. However, the difference between the web-based program and instructor led program is with the web-based program you will have to take a test at the end. If you do not pass the test you will be locked out of the system for 1 hour and then have to retake the test until you pass it. 

Those that attend the instructor– led training do not have to take a test, just coming and participating in the training will certify you that evening. You must register for the instructor – led training prior to coming the class. A step-by-step guide on how to register can be found below. 

ONLINE TEST OUT OPTION

The newest change comes in the form of the online test out option for youth in the intermediate, senior, and young adult categories. This will be an accepted form of certification for Indiana 4-H members. Those individuals wishing to test out must meet the following criteria:

  • This is only available to youth in the first year of intermediate (age 12), senior (age 15) and young adult (age 19).  There is no test-out option for juniors. At the bottom of the “Course List” page are the test-out options for these age levels.
  • The test consists of 50 questions and requires a pass rate of 80% or better for certification.
  • If passed, the certification will last through the end of a user’s age level (intermediate – ages 12, 13 and 14; senior – ages 15, 16, 17 and 18; and young adult – ages 19, 20 and 21.)
  • The intermediate and young adult test-out course will cost $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification) and the senior test-out course will cost $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification.)  If passed, users will receive access to online modules that correspond with the age levels indicated above, found on the user’s “My Library” page.
  • Users will have one chance to take the test-out option.  If they fail, they will not be provided another opportunity for that level of certification.  If the youth passes, payment for the completed test out course will be required after the completion of the test.  No payment is required to attempt the test.
  • Participants attempting and not passing will be prompted to take the instructor-led training or web-based training annually.
  • It is the user’s responsibility to ask if their state recognizes YQCA certification via the test-out option.

 If you have trouble with your YQCA profile, you can contact help@yqcaprogram.org. 

More information about this program can be found here: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/ 

Check out this quick video made by Harrison County on how to sign-up for a workshop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8MKDooXt4k&feature=youtu.be 

 

STAY TUNED FOR THE 2022 in-person training schedule. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes early to sign in. The YQCA training is required for the Randolph county fair. You will not be able to unload your animals for the 2022 Fair or participate at the 2022 Indiana State Fair if you do not complete the YQCA training.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

  • What if I show multiple animal species?: You only need to complete the certification once per year, and that will apply to each of your animals. 
  • How long does the in-person class take?: It is approximately one hour but please come early to sign up before the class starts.
  • What if I still have a valid PQA Certification?: Currently, if you have a valid PQA Certification, it will be honored until it expires, even if you show multiple species. 
  • When should I register for a class?: As soon as possible! Space is limited in each class, and we recommend registering at least a week prior to the class being offered. 
  • What if I do not remember my 4HOnline email address?: Contact our office, and we can tell you what it is. If you do not sign in with 4HOnline, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to gain access to your completion information. If you do not remember your password, you can reset that yourself using the "Forgot Password" option at https://in.4honline.com 
  • How long is my certification valid?: The in-person trainings are only valid for 1 year. There is an online test out option now outlined above.  
  • What if I am not selling my animal in the Auction?: This is not an auction requirement, it is an exhibit requirement, so to show your animal, you must complete the certification. 
  • Do Mini 4-H Members need a YQCA Certification?: No, this is for 4-H members in grades 3-12.
  • Can I attend a YQCA In-Person Training in another county?: Yes, if our schedule does not work for you, you can attend a class in any other county. You can find all classes listed at yqcaprogram.org when signing up. 
  • When should I register for a class?: As soon as possible! Space is limited in each class. You MUST register for a class before attending. 

RELATED FILES


A Step-by-Step Guide to registering for YQCA Training Sessions

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! 

Questions? Email Julie at jelsbury@purdue.edu

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 any boy or girl who is in kindergarten, first or second grade by the spring of the current year.

We are still working on setting the 2022 mini 4-H schedule. When it is set, we will email everyone enrolled to let them know the schedule for the year!

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.

INDIANA 4-H ANIMAL ID REQUIREMENTS 

4-H ONLINE ANIMAL ID INSTRUCTIONS 

INDIANA STATE FAIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

VIDEO: 4-H ANIMAL PROJECT BASICS

 

Vaccination forms can be downloaded on the Indiana 4-H page. Visit the website by clicking here.

Scholarships

Junior Leader Scholarship Due April 1

county/randolph/scholarships/farachscholarship.pdf

Extension Homemaker Scholarship - Due April 1

Randolph Riders Scholarship - Due May 15

Ag Days Scholarship - Due May 1

Pork Producers - Due May 1

IEHA Vocational Scholarship - Due May 1

Beef Producers Scholarship - Due June 1