Introduction to Ohio 4-H

Ohio 4-H Grows True Leaders 

Download the infographic at this link to learn more about Ohio 4-H - the largest youth development program in Ohio!

How to Join a 4-H Club

  1. The best time to join 4-H is in the fall or winter. The enrollment deadline is April 1, so you must be enrolled before that date to participate in Warren County Fair activities.

  2. Click here for a list of current Warren County 4-H Clubs.

  3. When choosing a 4-H club, look for a club that meets during a time and in a place that works for your family’s schedule.

  4. If your child will be a Cloverbud (age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in kindergarten), be sure to select a club that accepts members within your child’s age range. 4-H project members must be age eight as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in third grade.

  5. Look for a club that supports members taking the types of projects your family is interested in (non-animal projects, sewing, livestock, dogs, horses, shooting sports).

  6. Once you’ve found a club that is a good fit for your family, contact the advisor to learn more about the club. For example, you may want to ask about the club’s meeting schedule, meeting location, participation/attendance requirements, club dues and fundraisers, club size, and what kind of involvement is expected from the members’ parents and/or guardians. You even can visit one of the club’s meetings or activities if you’d like.

  7. Once you’ve selected a club, make it official and enjoy the experience! Be sure to complete the 4-H Online 2.0 enrollment by following your club leader's instructions.

If you can’t find a 4-H club that fits your family’s needs, maybe you should consider starting a club of your own! Contact Kara Colvin, colvin.53@osu.edu, for more information on how to become a 4-H volunteer club advisor and start your own club. It’s an extremely rewarding experience!

4-H Membership Eligibility

Youth are eligible for 4-H membership as a Cloverbud when a child is age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and is enrolled in kindergarten. Click here for more information about the Cloverbud program. Youth are eligible for membership in the 4-H club program when a child is at least age eight as of Jan. 1 of the current year and is enrolled in third grade.  Ohio 4-H membership ends Dec. 31 of the year in which an individual becomes 19-years-old. Membership begins when an eligible individual is enrolled in a club or group that operates within the scope of Ohio State University Extension and is under the direction of a trained adult who has completed the Ohio State University Extension volunteer selection process.

When to Join a 4-H Club

The Warren County 4-H enrollment deadline is April 1, 2025. Any youth that wishes to take their project to the Warren County Fair in the summer must be enrolled in a Warren County 4-H club by April 1. Therefore, we recommend beginning the process of joining a 4-H club in late fall or early winter, to ensure your family is formally enrolled by April 1, 2025.  

4-H Family Guide and Project central

The 4-H Family Guide is our catalog for all the available Ohio 4-H projects members can participate in for the year. Flip through it here -OR- Stop by the office and pick up a copy to take home.

Not sure what all a 4-H project entails? Check out a more in-depth description and see the first few pages of all 4-H project books at Project Central!

Across County Line Membership

If you live in Warren County and would like to join a 4-H club in another county, or if you live in another county and would like to join a Warren County 4-H club, click here for information about crossing county lines. The deadline to submit cross-county line forms is March 1, 2025.