Shelby County 4-H Youth Development
What We Do
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, aftershock programs, school enrichment, camps/workshops, and special interest programs are all ways youth across Indiana can be involved with the 4-H program.
Upcoming Events
INDIANA STATE FAIR- AUGUST 7-23, 2026
Contact Us
Office Location
20 W Polk Street, Suite 201Shelbyville, IN 46176
(317) 392-6460
Office Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed on County Holidays
4-H Staff
Erin Padgett, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator
Cindy Kuhn, 4-H Program Assistant
cmkuhn@purdue.edu
Natalie Werner, 4-H Secretary
russe238@purdue.edu
Enroll Now in 4-H!
4-H enrollment for the 2025-2026 program year opens October 1, 2025. We encourage families to register for 4-H by January 15th, enrollments made after January may limit participation options. 4-H Members, Mini 4-H Members, and Adult Volunteers must enroll each year to participate in the program.
4-H OnlineMini 4-H
Mini 4-H is a program designed to encourage positive development of children, Kindergarten through second grade. The goal of Mini 4-H is to help young children explore friendships outside the family; explore the way in which things work; practice both small and large muscle control; and think about the ways people work together on projects.
Learn More About Mini 4-HEnroll your Projects
All projects must be entered in 4-H Online and membership fee paid before registering projects in Fair Entry. Log into your v2.4honline.com account to verify projects. Add or delete projects to be exhibited. You can find the Fair Entry site below. Feel free to call the Shelby County Purdue Extension Office at 317-392-6460. Fair Entry will open May 1, 2025 and close May 21, 2025!
Fair EntryHandbook
The Shelby County 4-H and Mini 4-H handbooks are NOW available for digital use here or for a hard copy, pickup at the Extension Office.
Printed handbooks have a retraction on page 180, 4-H Livestock/ Animal General Information #5. The correct policy has been put in the handbook via label. Please remove/disregard the bullet point under #5. The digital version of the handbook has been updated.
Printed handbooks have a correction on page 104, Creative Writing. The correct page number for requirements is page 59.
Download the 4-H Handbook here.
Download Shelby County's Mini 4-H Handbook here.
Shelby County 4-H Forms
The following are important forms for Shelby County 4-H members. Please note, these forms are subject to change and update.The forms above are current for the 2024-2025 program year.
Green Record Books
What is a Green Record Book?
A Green Record Book is a tool for 4-H members to document their work and achievements. Members should complete their record books neatly, either by hand or typed. To ensure your record book is complete, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Completion: All questions on the "My Record of Achievement" form should be answered appropriately.
- Logical Order: Records should be organized by dates and times.
- Achievement: Records reflect project development and demonstrate that instructions were followed, showcasing the experience gained.
- Neatness: Records must be legible, whether handwritten or typed.
- Project Requirements: Ensure that all project requirements have been met.
What Goes in the Green Record Book?
Each Green Record Book comes with one ‘My Record of Achievement’ paper. If you run out of space, you can get another copy at the Extension Office. Each individual project also requires a ‘Record Sheet,’ which should be placed in the Green Record Book behind the ‘My Record of Achievement’ section.
Consequences of Not Completing the Green Record Book
Shelby County 4-H members are expected to complete and submit their Green Record Book annually, by the Wednesday before Fair Week. If a member fails to turn in their Green Record Book by the designated due date, they will forfeit the opportunity to collect premium money. Late submissions will be accepted until 4:00 PM on July 31st for completion only.
Enrollment Guide to 4-H Online
Please view the following guides to enroll in 4-H. Please contact the Shelby County Purdue Extension Office at 317-392-6460 with any questions you have.
*See bottom of page under '4-H Volunteers' for enrollment guides on new and returning adult volunteers.
4-H Clubs & Leaders
What is a 4-H Club? A 4-H club is an organized group of at least five youth from three different families who meet regularly with adult volunteers or staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences.
What is the purpose of a 4-H Club? The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development opportunities to meet the needs of young people to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity—the Essential Elements—and to foster educational opportunities tied to the Land Grant University knowledge base.
Blue Ribbon 4-H Club meets at Fountaintown Fire Department (141 E Brookeville Rd, Fountaintown, IN 46130). 4-H members of all ages are welcome to attend. Club leader, Dean Tyner was a ten year 4-H member himself and looks forward to assisting the next generation of 4-H members.
Our scheduled meetings for 2025 will begin at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:
- November 14, 2024
- February 13, 2025
- March 13, 2025
- April 10, 2025
- May 8, 2025
Club Leader
- Dean Tyner
We have active, strong growing roots that has ran through Shelby County for over 56 years. Our club has always been active in leadership, project skills, demonstrations, judging contest, parties, activities, parliamentary procedure meetings, officer training, community services and charity deeds. Our main goals are to build leadership skills, confidence, trust, respect, honesty, self esteem, and to establish life long friendship. We all spur each other on to “Make the Best Better”.
Our scheduled meetings for 2026 will begin at 6:00 PM at the Fairland Fire Station (400 W 400 N, Fairland, IN 46126) on the following dates:
- September 9, 2025
- October 14, 2025
- November 11, 2025
- December 3, 2025 (5:00 PM)
- December 9, 2025
Club Leaders
- Pam Robinson
- Chastity & Trey Davidson
Shelby County 4-H Junior Leaders is a club as well as a project open to all youth is grades 7-12. They participate in various leadership and community service projects throughout the year. There is no additional charge for 4-H Junior Leader membership, but you must re-enroll in it every year.
Our scheduled meetings for 2025 will begin at 6:30.pm. on the following dates:
- January 15, 2025
- February 12, 2025
- March 12, 2025
- April 16, 2025
- May 14, 2025
Club Leaders
- Cindy Kuhn
- Diana Stone
- Tatem Hodge
The Noble Happy Harvesters Club is almost 100 years old. We are a club with roots in Noble Township, but invite members from any part of Shelby County to join us. The meetings will be held at the home of Olivia Cassidy, 2539 E 700 S, Waldron, IN 46182. It is only 10 minutes from Waldron. At each meeting we will follow Parliamentary procedure and have demonstrations to highlight different projects. Our club promotes membership, club activities, and encourages county and state fair participation. Our goal is to facilitate future leaders of our community through 4-H activities.
Our scheduled meetings for 2025 will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- January 18, 2025
- February 12, 2025
- March 12, 2025
- April 9, 2025
- May 14, 2025
Club Leaders
- Olivia Cassidy
- Peggy Cassidy
Please contact the club leader for more information on this club.
Club Leader
- Frances Jackson
Southwestern Shamrocks 4-H Club is located in the southwestern portion of Shelby County. We welcome and encourage attendance at our monthly meetings for all 4-H’ers, Mini 4-H’ers and parents. The leaders work to help elected 4-H’ers to follow parliamentary procedure at each meeting. Club meetings will be held at the Kissell Barn (3445 W 300 S, Shelbyville, IN 46176).
Our scheduled meetings for 2025 will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- November 12, 2024
- December 10, 2024
- January 14, 2025
- February 11, 2025
- March 11, 2025
- April 8, 2025
- May 13, 2025
- May 27, 2025
Club Leaders
- Cindy Baute
- Stacy Baute
- Becca Miller
- Amber Fiesbeck
The Survivors do community service projects, work at the 4-H Café during the fair and work on 4-H projects. The 2025 meetings will be announced soon, please call the leader for times and locations for each of these meetings.
Club Leader
- Deana Thurston
Triton Lucky Leaf 4-H Club is a small club with big goals! The kids and leaders work together to make sure all members are informed and get the most from their 4-H experience. Club meeting dated for 2025 will be announced soon.
Club Leader
- Christa Weaver
Meeting dates and times will be shared soon. We are all rural 4-H’ers who mostly take Livestock projects. Please call the leaders for meeting dates and times.
Club Leaders
- Jerry & Ashley Pine
The Hoosier Horseman 4-H Club welcomes all 4-H members in grades 3rd-12th. The club will meet on the Shelby County Fairgrounds. All club meetings will begin at 6:00 PM in the Brinson Building on the Shelby County Fairgrounds unless noted otherwise.
Our scheduled meeting dates for 2026 are:
- February 4, 2026
- March 4, 2026
- April 1, 2026
- May 6, 2026
- May 20, 2026
*If riding practice is canceled on the night of a club meeting, we will meet in the Brinson Building.
Club Leaders- Jennifer Wright
- Linda Martin
Sunset Llama 4-H Club is for any regular (3rd -12th grade) 4-H member interested in or currently showing llamas and alpacas. 4-H members can show their own animal or lease an animal (as available).
Our scheduled meetings for 2025 will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Livestock Arena unless otherwise noted on the following dates:
- March 28, 2025 (Brinson Building)
- April 4, 2025
- April 11, 2025
- April 18, 2025
- April 25, 2025
- May 2, 2025
- May 9, 2025
- May 16, 2025
- May 23, 2025
- May 30, 2025
Club Leaders
- Vanessa Benagh
- Tatem Hodge
- Sara Schaefer
Shooting Sports Orientation Meeting - December 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in Brinson Hall at the fairgrounds.
Shooting Sports Workshops will be held at Jim Fischers (4048 S 515 E, Waldron, IN 46182) are scheduled for:
- January 18, 2025
- February 1, 2025
- February 15, 2025
- March 1, 2025
- March 15, 2025
- March 29, 2025
- April 12, 2025
- April 26, 2025
- May 3, 2025
- May 17, 2025
Pistol & Shotgun - 9 am-11 am
Rifle & Archery - 11 am - 1 pm
Club Leader
- Bill Claytor
- Donny Chambers
The Sheep and Goat Club was formed in 2023 to provide education, support, and fellowship among sheep and goat showmen. Our meetings are fun and educational and often include experts in the industry along with hands-on learning experiences.
Our scheduled meetings for 2025 will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:- January 23, 2025 in the Family Arts Building
- February 27, 2025 in the Family Arts Building
- March 27, 2025 in the Family Arts Building
- April 24, 2025 in the Livestock Arena
- May 8, 2025 in the Family Arts Building
Club Leaders
- Andy & Laura Bridges
- Trey & Chastity Davidson
Projects
Members have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter that they choose to study through completing hands on activities. In 4-H, 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. Adult volunteers and staff who are knowledgeable on that particular subject often host workshops to allow the youth to learn about that topic in a social environment. Each project has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level to allow 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, 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, however, we suggest starting out with one or two your first year.
- AEROSPACE
- ARTS & CRAFTS - GENERAL
- BARBECUE
- BEEKEEPING
- BICYCLE POSTER
- CAKE DECORATING
- CAT POSTER
- CERAMICS
- CHILD DEVELOPMENT
- COLLECTIONS
- COMPUTERS
- CONSTRUCTION & ARCHITECTURAL REPLICA
- CONSUMER CLOTHING
- CONSTRUCTION SETS
- CONSUMER LIVESTOCK
- COOKIE DECORATING
- CREATING WITH A MIX
- CROPS
- CUPCAKE DECORATING
- DO YOUR OWN THING
- DOG POSTER
- ELECTRIC
- ENTOMOLOGY
- FAMILY PROJECT
- FINE ARTS
- FLORICULTURE
- FOODS, BAKED - LEVEL A
- FOODS, BAKED - LEVEL B
- FOODS, BAKED - LEVEL C
- FOODS, BAKED - LEVEL D
- FOODS, PRESERVED - ALL LEVELS
- FORESTRY
- GARDEN
- GENEALOGY
- GEOLOGY
- GIFT WRAPPING
- H.E.L.P.
- HEALTH
- HOME ENVIRONMENT
- HORSELESS HORSEMAN
- INDIANA HERITAGE
- LLAMA/ALPACA FLEECE
- LLAMA/ALPACA FIBER CRAFTS
- LLAMA/ALPACA POSTER
- MICROWAVE
- MODELS
- NEEDLECRAFT'S
- PHOTOGRAPHY - BEGINNER
- PHOTOGRAPHY - INTERMEDIATE
- PHOTOGRAPHY - ADVANCED
- POULTRY POSTER
- RABBIT POSTER
- READING
- RECYCLING
- ROBOTICS
- SCRAPBOOK
- SEWING CONSTRUCTION - GRADES 3-7
- SEWING CONSTRUCTION - GRADES 8-12
- SEWING FOR FUN
- SHOOTING SPORTS
- SMALL ANIMALS
- SMALL ENGINES
- SOIL & WATER SCIENCE
- SPORTFISHING
- SPORTS
- TRACTOR
- VETERINARY SCIENCE
- WEARABLE ART
- WEATHER AND CLIMATE SCIENCE
- WEED IDENTIFICATION
- WELDING
- WILDFLOWERS
- WILDLIFE
- WOODWORKING
Livestock & Animals
For more detailed information on the Livestock Auction, please refer to the Shelby County Handbook.
2025 Shelby County Livestock Auction Form
All county 4-H Exhibitors must also complete a Shelby County Pen Reservation Form, and return to the Shelby County Extension Office. Forms are due by May 15. There will be NO entries accepted after May 15th.
DOGS, CATS, FERRETS, AND EQUINE ARE ALL REQUIRED TO HAVE A COMPLETED 2025 VACCINATION FORM PRIOR TO THE ANIMAL ARRIVING ON THE PREMISES FOR ANY 4-H EVENT.
- Animals from youth livestock programs are treated with the utmost care.
- Youth livestock exhibitors are contributing to a safe, wholesome food supply.
- Youth livestock exhibitors are prepared to be ambassadors for animal agriculture.
Policy
To exhibit beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, poultry and rabbits at
the county fair and Indiana State Fair, 4-H members must be certified through the Indiana 4-H
Livestock Quality Care training or the online Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program.
Quality Assurance training must be completed by 4-H members annually. For more information
about in-person training in your county, please contact your County Extension Office
4-H Livestock Auction
On behalf of the Shelby County 4-H Livestock Auction Committee and the 4-H Advisory Council, we invite you to join us for the 61st annual 4-H Livestock Auction and Bidder Hospitality Hour!
Join us in supporting the amazing efforts of our 4-H youth! By participating in the auction, you're not just bidding—you’re helping them learn the true value of hard work, dedication, and responsibility. Your support makes a difference!
Hospitality Hour- Enjoy a tasty selection of food and drinks at 5:30 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, during Hospitality Hour!
- The Livestock Auction Sale Committee will send a check to the 4-H member for the amount of the appraisal price of sheep, meat goats and swine. Beef members will take their animal home to feed out until it is ready to go to market.
- As a buyer, you can bid any amount. Send the final closing bid amount directly to the 4-H member. For example, if the final bid is $150, you send $150 directly to the 4-H member. The address of the 4-H member will be listed on the sales ticket that you may pick up at the auction window after the auction.
- If you want to add on a bid above the winner bid, please fill out an add on card provided at the check-in table. Then hand that card to the ring man.
The livestock auction will start promptly at 6:30 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in the Livestock Arena on the Shelby County Fairgrounds.
Order of the 2025 Livestock Auction will be beef, dairy cow, dairy goat, sheep, goat wether, barrows, rabbit, then poultry.
Club Leaders
4-H Community Club Leader – provides organization to a 4-H Cub based in a local community, typically representing a certain geographic area.4-H Project Club Leader – offers educational opportunities to 4-H members based on a certain project or subject area in a club setting.
Club leaders are asked to complete these forms annually. If you have questions on any of them, please contact our office.
Club leaders, below is a guide to help you navigate your role.
This handout guide is the second part to the Resource Guide. Handouts included in this guide include: mock meeting agenda, secretary report, treasurer report, and much more.
4-H Volunteers
4-H Volunteers include Club Leaders, Project Leaders as well as 4-H Council and Fair Board Members.
Initial Volunteer Onboarding
All new volunteer applicants and returning volunteers after a lapse in service (more than one year without an approved enrollment in 4-H Online) must complete a the 4-H Volunteer Process including an volunteer application, volunteer screening and training before the county 4-H Educator can decide whether to accept and appoint them to a volunteer role.
Steps to become a 4-H Volunteer
| Step | Specifics/Resources | Additional Information |
| Volunteer Application | Online application in 4-H Online
|
Joint enrollment and application steps includes:
|
|
Paper Process (4-H 784) |
If the paper process is used,
|
|
| Training |
In 4-H Online Individual will have access to the training after application is submitted. Required Trainings must be completed before Enrollment can be approved, but all Trainings must be completed before a volunteer role can be assigned. |
|
|
Educator led Trainings may be offered during or after screening steps. Trainings must be documented in 4-H Online before Enrollment can be approved, but all Trainings must be completed before a volunteer role can be assigned. |
If Trainings are provided by the 4-H Educator, completion surveys are required to track training in 4-H Online:
|
|
| Educator Conversation or Interview | See information in the Extension Educator Screening Steps below | |
| Additional Paperwork | See information in the Extension Educator Screening Steps below |
Annual Re-Enrollment Process
The 4-H Extension Educator will annually determine if a current 4-H Volunteer should be renewed for the coming year. Each adult 4-H Volunteer who will have their assignment renewed by the Extension Educator will re-enroll annually in 4-H Online to reconfirm their commitment to the program and to provide updated contact information. Annually, the Extension Educator* will share instructions with all approved 4-H Volunteers on how to re-enroll in the 4-H Online data management system
To better thank and recognize all that our volunteers do throughout the entire year, we will host a Volunteer Recognition Night. This event will take place on October 25, 2025, at the Family Arts Building on the Shelby County Fairgrounds. More information about this event will be shared soon! We look forward to seeing each of you, sharing a meal, and giving you the recognition, you deserve.
RSVP for Volunteer Recognition Night here.
Enrollment Guide for NEW Volunteers 2025
If you are interested in becoming an Adult Volunteer for Shelby County 4-H please reach to the Extension Office!
All items must be prepaid and preordered. Orders must be placed by 4 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2025 (checks made payable to Shelby Co. 4-H Advisory Council) and plants will be ready for pick up on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Please note: pick up location is at the Family Arts Building, Shelby County Fairgrounds, 500 Frank Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used locally to support Shelby County 4-H programming.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to youth recognizing their achievements and life skill development in 4-H experiences in both Indiana 4-H as well as Shelby County 4-H.4-H Camp 2025
Who: 4-H members who have a current 4-H enrollment on file and are now enrolled in grades 3-6. 4-H members from Putnam, Morgan, Vermillion, and Parke Counties will be camping with Shelby County.
Where: Camp Shakamak at Shakamak State Park, Jasonville, IN
When: Wednesday, May 28– Saturday, May 31, 2025. Plans now are to leave the Shelby County Fairgrounds by Brinson Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28 and return to the Shelby County Fairgrounds by Brinson Hall around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 31.
Cost: Camp fee is $125.00 for returning campers. The Shelby County 4-H Advisory Council will pay $50 toward any first-time camper registration. Camp fee includes a t-shirt, camp fees, camp insurance, park admission and transportation. Craft classes and snack food items will require some additional spending money. Please make check payable to Shelby County 4-H Advisory Council.
NEW this year- all camp registrations are to be completed through the members’ 4-HOnline account. We are camping with a new camp group, so something will be a little different than years past (if you have attended camp previously). Registrations must be submitted through https://4HCampShakamakMVPS.4honline.com and payment received by the Extension Office by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025. Shelby County is allotted 30 spots so we can only take the first 30 campers who submit paid registrations, so don’t delay! All others will be placed on a waiting list.
Junior Leaders
The Junior Leader project allows 4-H members in grades 7-12 the opportunity to provide their Adult 4-H Volunteers with additional assistance in their 4-H Clubs and related activities. Junior Leaders also serve as mentors and role models to the younger 4-H members by sharing their experiences with them.
Shelby County 4-H Junior Leaders is a club as well as a project open to all youth is grades 7-12. They participate in various leadership and community service projects throughout the year. There is no additional charge for 4-H Junior Leader membership, but you must re-enroll in it every year.
*Make sure you mark “Junior Leaders” as a project when you re-enroll for 2025-2026 (just being enrolled in the club will not count as completion)
Stay tuned for the NEW Junior Leader record book for 2026.
SPARK Clubs
SPARKS Clubs are open to youth grades 3-12 to “spark” new interest in the Indiana 4-H program. SPARK Clubs are special interest groups designed to capture the attention of youth with single focus, “out of the box” interests that are likely differrent from state-recognized 4-H projects. These clubs are led by volunteers bringing their subject mastery to the club. SPARK Clubs include six hours of instructional time that can occur in one day or over a length of time. Most SPARK Clubs end their program with a culminating event or activity.
Stay tuned for SPARK club opportunities offered in 2025!
Workshops
Workshops are meant to supplement the time the youth spends working on a project and the activities or subject area they complete in the project manual. Typically, these are offered several times a year. We encourage family members to attend these workshops with the 4-H member for the best educational outcome.
2025 State 4-H Shooting Sports Events
Cat Workshop (K-12): February 19, 2025 beginning at 6:30PM in the Brinson Building
Rabbit Meeting/ Workshop: February 27, 2025 beginning at 5PM in the Brinson Building
Communications Project Workshop: March 18, 2025 beginning at 2:30PM at the Extension Office
Cat Workshop (K-12): May 7, 2025 beginning at 6:30PM in the Brinson Building