The purpose of 4-H is to foster skill development in young people. Youth are given opportunities to select from a variety of programs and projects. Individuality is valued and each person is encouraged to discover his or her own skills, talents, and interests. 4-H helps young people learn to make decisions, think critically, build relationships, practice leadership, and develop a concern for their community and their world.
Lorain County reaches out to over 2,000 youth and adult volunteers annually through the 4-H program. Find out how to join a 4-H club or become a 4-H volunteer.
To find a 4-H Club in your area contact the Lorain County OSU Extension Office at 440-326-5851.
How to join Lorain County 4-H
- Connect with a local 4-H Club.- 2024 Open 4-H Club Listing
- Choose 1-2 projects.- 4-H Family Guide
- Enroll in the 4-H Online enrollment system. Be sure that you have attended a 4-H Club meeting BEFORE enrolling in 4-H Online!!
Cloverbuds - Youth must be 5 years old and enrolled in Kindergarten as of January 1 of the current year. Youth in this age group take project #710 Ohio 4-H Cloverbud.
Members - Youth must be at least 8 years old and enrolled in 3rd grade as of January 1 of the current year. Ohio 4-H membership ends December 31st of the year when a youth attains the age of 19. Youth in this age group may choose from over 150 projects!
How to become a 4-H Volunteer
4-H Adult Volunteer Application (Complete steps 1-5).
New Adult Volunteer Applications are accepted from September 1st - March 1st of the current 4-H program year. New Volunteers will need to complete the following by April 15th of the curent year.
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Online Volunteer Application (Please be sure to include e-mail addresses for your references)
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Interview with 4-H Professional (Once your application has been submitted and references returned, OSU Extension will contact you to set up an interview)
Upon completion of the above steps, you will receive an e-mail letter regarding your volunteer status. All new volunteers are required to attend New Volunteer Orientation before April 15th.
New Family Orientation
New to Lorain County 4-H? Join us for a brief overview of Lorain County 4-H, hands-on activities, and engaging with current 4-H members and families.Take a look at the slide presentation!
Family Orientation Presentation
New Family Packet/Recruitment:
Role of Parents and Family in 4-H
Clubs accepting new members
How to enroll in 4-H Online - you must connect with a club prior to enrolling in the online system
Volunteer Annual Training Requirements
Lorain County 4-H volunteers must complete a minimum of two training hours per year. Check out all the great opportunities to meet this requirement and gain new ideas for your 4-H Club! Training hours must be completed by the enrollment deadline- April 15 of the current year.
New volunteers MUST attend a New Volunteer Orientation (NVO) AND Youth Activities & Programs (Policy 1.50)
Returning volunteers MUST attend a minimum of two hours of training including the 4-H Update and Youth Activities & Programs (Policy 1.50).
Training |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Audience |
Topics |
2/10/2024 |
9:30 am – Noon |
Lorain County JVS |
All Volunteers All Club Officers (or youth interested in becoming a club officer)
|
4-H Update Policy 1.50 Various Topics Club Officer Workshops New Volunteer Orientation (1-3 pm)
|
|
OH 4-H Volunteer & Youth Conference
|
3/9/2024 |
|
Columbus |
All Volunteers All 4-H Teens |
Various Topics
|
3/14/2024 |
6:00- 8:00 pm |
Ag Center |
New Volunteers |
New Volunteer Orientation |
|
4/11/2024 |
6:00 –8:00 pm |
Lorain County JVS |
All Volunteers
|
4-H Update Policy 1.50 Various Topics
|
|
|
|
Various locations in Medina County |
All Volunteers |
4-H Update Policy 1.50 Various Topics New Volunteer Orientation
|
To register for this year’s training please click on the blue title of the training listed on the schedule above. This will automatically direct you to our online registration.
School Enrichment
Lorain County 4-H offers programs you can bring to your classroom or student body. Find resources and opportunities to enhance lessons or bring in guest educators to your school. 4-H publications and presentations may involve a fee. Contact the Extension Office for more information.
Real World Real Money - Real Money, Real World, is an active, hands-on experience that gives young people the opportunity to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults. It is intended to be a partnership of the county OSU Extension Office, the school, and the business community. Real Money, Real World supports social studies content standards as well as Ohio’s Family and Consumer Sciences Content Standards demonstrating personal financial literacy.
ChickQuest - Hearing soft peeps from inside an egg they’ve been watching for 21 days brings Science Alive for youth. It’s just one of the exciting adventures in ChickQuest, a 4-H STEM Program. These lively lessons develop curiosity, encourage collaboration and communication, and deepen understanding of science, engineering, and technology while providing youth with an unforgettable experience.
Science Series - Click here for available program materials.
4-H MOTTO
"To Make The Best Better"
4-H SLOGAN
"Learning By Doing"
4-H PLEDGE
I pledge: My Head to Clearer Thinking,
My Heart to Greater Loyalty,
My Hands to Larger Service,
My Health to Better Living,
For My Club, My Community, My Country, and My World.
4-H CREED
I believe in 4-H Club work for the opportunity it will give me to become a useful citizen.
I believe in the training of my HEAD for the power it will give me to think, plan and to reason.
I believe in the training of my HEART for the nobleness it will give me to become kind, sympathetic, and true.
I believe in the training of my HANDS for the ability it will give me to be helpful, useful, and skillful.
I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease and to work efficiently.
I believe in my country, my state and my community and in my responsibility for their development.
In all these things I believe, and am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment.