Knox County New Family Information

4‑H eligibility is determined based on the 4‑H age. (The age of the member on December 31st of the previous year.) 4‑H is open to all youth between the ages 5 and 18 (4‑H Age), regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status as determined by the following age criteria.

• Choose a 4‑H club and contact the leader
• Enroll online at v2.4honline.com
• Choose 4‑H projects
• Choose 4‑H manuals and/or resources
• ID animals by the deadline, if applicable
• Attend 4‑H meetings regularly
• Ensure parent involvement in the 4‑H club
• Work on 4‑H projects and take advantage ofcounty workshops
• Read the Knox County 4‑H Newsletter
• Visit the 4‑H website and Facebook page frequently

One of the 1st things you will need to do is create an account in 4‑H Online and enroll your child or children as 4‑H members.
► Click “Don’t have an account?” At the bottom of the page
► Select the State you will be participating in 4‑H and click on Nebraska 4‑H Youth Development
► Select Knox County
► The email will be your Username. Use an email account that is active and that you check frequently to receive 4‑H updates.
► Fill in your Family Name and Mobile Phone Number
► Create a Password and write it down! You will need the password to log into your account in the future.
► Click Create Account
Fill out and Verify your family’s information and for every 4‑H member (child) that will be participating in 4‑H.
 

What does it cost to join a 4‑H club? 4‑H Member dues are $5.00 per 4‑H’er and Clover Kid and are due by June 15 to your club
leader, payable online, or the extension office. Dues are used for member insurance and to support county 4‑H activities. Depending on your 4‑H projects, the cost will vary from family to family. If you are planning to exhibit livestock there are additional fees for ear tags and YQCA training.

How old do you have to be to join a 4‑H club? Children can join a 4‑H club as soon as they are five (4‑H age) and they can stay involved until their final year of eligibility—the year they are 18 (4‑H age).

What is a Clover Kid? Children ages 5 to 7 are known in 4‑H as “Clover Kids”. These members are full 4‑H members and can participate in a wide range of programs and activities, including the fair. However, because research has shown that competition at this age can be detrimental, Clover Kid members are not allowed to participate in competitive events. These members can participate in many contests and will receive clover kid ribbons. Their work is not “judged” and compared to other children’s work. For more information refer to the Knox County 4‑H Clover Kids Handbook.

Can we join 4‑H at any time during the year? Yes, however, we encourage youth to enroll by April 15th to insure they receive important 4‑H information in a timely manner. All youth must be enrolled with the Nebraska Extension Office in Knox County by June 15 or before participating in any competitive 4‑H events that year and dues paid to exhibit at Knox County Fair. Competitive events include all Pre-Fair Contests and Shooting Sports Contests.

Are clubs organized by age divisions? 4‑H clubs operate best when the members are in a similar age group, preferably within a couple of years of each other. However, some clubs operate with children from a wide variety of ages. It is a little more challenging to keep everyone’s interest when there is a wide age span. On the other hand, there are benefits of younger youth learning from the knowledge and example of older youth as well as the leadership opportunities for older youth.

Do I have to live on a farm to join 4‑H? No, although 4‑H began as a program for rural children, today 4‑H is available for ALL CHILDREN whether they live on a farm or in town.

What are the 4‑H colors? Green & White

Projects provide the basis of the 4‑H program by offering various educational experiences. Carrying out a project will help the member “learn by doing” as well as learn “why” things happen the way they do. Projects are real life experiences that help 4‑H members learn to make sound decisions. Projects put the hands and mind to work.

What are the objectives of 4‑H projects?
· Create a sense of ownership
· Give a felling of achievement
· Provide members the opportunities to: learn project skills; develop and understand project knowledge; develop good attitudes; assume responsibility; provide healthful competition; make meaningful decisions
· Explore career opportunities and thus the need for continued education. All projects are, in a sense, career explorative-giving each member a taste of the work and responsibilities involved.

To help guide your learning experience, 4‑H offers project manuals. These written manuals provide age-appropriate, hands-on lessons to help youth acquire new skills and knowledge. These manuals are research-based through Universities nationwide. Please keep in mind that you are not required to utilize a project manual to guide your child’s 4‑H project, but you may find it very helpful. Also, do not feel like you have to complete every learning activity listed in the project manual. Think of the project manual as a very useful resource for you, rather than a “to do” list of activities that must be completed. 4‑H Curriculum may be ordered direct and shipped to you. Visit https://4h.unl.edu/resources/projects for ordering direct.

First and foremost, 4‑H is a family program—a place where parents and their children can learn and grow together. In 4‑H, you, as the parent or guardian, are very important. You are always invited and encouraged to participate in all 4‑H club activities. We recognize every family’s schedule is different and you may not be able to attend every club function, but there are many different ways that you can contribute to your child’s 4‑H group.

Your 4‑H club leader will want to know about your interests and talents, and how you would like to support your child’s 4‑H group. Because 4‑H has so many diverse experiences, we have discovered that every adult can find a parent volunteer role that matches their interests and the club’s needs. Some possible helping roles include providing refreshments, supplies, or other resources for a club meeting, helping members with their projects or organizing the club’s service project. Your club leader may have other suggestions.

As a parent or guardian, these are the following roles you need to fulfill:
► Provide transportation for your child to and from 4‑H events.
► Help your child learn to recite the 4‑H pledge.
► Attend 4‑H club functions with your child whenever possible. Children ages 5-7 (Clover Kid members) should always have a parent or guardian attend meetings with them.
► Guide your child as they select a 4‑H project and help them develop goals that are challenging, but also realistic. Encourage their project work by making it a family learning experience.
► If your child serves in a leadership role within the club, help him/her fulfill the duties of the office.
► Read the Knox County 4‑H Newsletter, so you will know the details of upcoming special events, dates and deadlines. You will automatically start receiving this publication when you or your child enrolls in 4‑H. It can also be found on our website.
► Visit the this 4‑H website for the latest information and resources.
► The 4‑H staff will provide countywide trainings, project workshops, and other core 4‑H learning experiences. Try to participate in these classes and workshops. By understanding more about the various 4‑H programs, you can help your child excel and take advantage of all that 4‑H has to offer.

One of the highlights of the year for 4‑H members is being able to exhibit their completed projects at the County Fair, and then hopefully to have their static exhibits selected for State Fair Competition!

When is the fair? The Knox County Fair is usually the first part of August. As part of the fair, members have an opportunity to compete in a variety of large and small animal shows, as well as enter completed projects in the static exhibit building.

Who can enter the fair? Any enrolled 4‑H member, who has enrolled and paid membership dues by the deadline, can participate in the fair. Fairbooks are available every year that lists the 4‑H classes (projects) that can be entered. For the most part, the classes do not change a lot from year to year, so you can look at previous fairbooks to get ideas for projects to enter in the fair.

How do we enter exhibits in the fair?
Static Exhibits (Non-Livestock): Fashion Show, Shooting Sports, and Pre-Entry Static Entry Forms: These forms will be mailed to you and are due into the office in July. Please refer to the 4‑H Calendar and monthly newsletters regarding the specific date for each form.

Livestock Exhibits: It is your responsibility to properly ID your animals by the deadline. Check the Animal Identification Guidelines Sheet for dates and forms that need to be filled out. Please watch for additional information, such as Weigh Dates and Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Training (YQCA), in the monthly newsletters.

-Pre-Entry Livestock Fair Forms: These forms will be mailed to you and are due into the office in July. Please refer to the 4‑H Calendar and monthly newsletters regarding the specific date each year.

How are exhibits judged?
Static Exhibits: Static exhibits are judged earning a purple, blue, red or white ribbon. You may sign up to interview judge one or more exhibits during check-in at the fair. Additional awards may also be awarded.

Livestock Exhibits: All livestock exhibits are judged earning a purple, blue, red or white ribbon. Additional trophies may be presented at the time of the livestock show.

Clover Kid Exhibits: All entries are non-competitive and each entry receives a Clover Kid ribbon. There will be the opportunity for static exhibits to be interview judged during check-in at the fair. Livestock exhibits will be shown before their respective show. See fair schedule for details.

Premiums for Exhibits: Youth receive cash premiums based upon the color of ribbon earned. 4‑H members will receive
their premium check by mail a few weeks after fair.

What do the 4‑H ribbon colors mean? Purple ribbons designate an exhibit of superior quality that has met and exceeded all of the standards. Blue ribbons denote an above average exhibit that has met almost all of the standards in a way that surpasses the norm. Red ribbons indicate average quality and indicate that the exhibit has met the majority of standards in such a way that the benchmark was reached but not exceeded. White ribbons indicate that the exhibit has not met the majority of the standards.

When are exhibits released? Release times will be posted in the fair schedule in the front of the fairbook. Early release is not allowed.

Communication Event

• Prepared Speech
• PSA (Public Service Announcement)
• 4‑H Impromptu Speech
• Video Communication
• 4‑H Illustrated Presentation

Shooting Sports Competition

• BB Gun
• Air Rifle
• Archery
• 22 Rifle
• Shotgun
• Pistol

Fashion Show - Youth can sew and/or purchase a garment and model it for the judge. All participants model their garments for the audience during the 4‑H Fashion Show.

Talent Contest

• Instrumental
• Vocal
• Dance
• Other Talents

Food Revue - Themed Table Setting Entry; Menu; Make a Food Item

Camps, Workshops & Educational Events
 

• Clover Kid Camp
• Project Day
• Specialty Workshops
• YQCA Training
• Livestock Judging Contest
• Next Chapter
• Nebraska 4‑H Camps
• College Scholarships
• Diamond Clover Program
• Annual Achievement Program

Want to Learn More About These 4‑H Opportunities? Read the Knox County 4‑H Newsletter. It will give you all the details about upcoming programs and events. Keep exploring this website! You can also “like” us on Nebraska Extension in Knox County Facebook Page.