Quick Facts

• 4-H is more than cows and cookin’! Call your county 4-H Agent with questions; we can turn just about any interest into a 4-H project area.
• General 4-H enrollment opens each year in October and remains open all year.
  • Members must be enrolled by February 1st to participate in Livestock Projects
  • Other projects may be added until April 1
• We offer two main programs:
  • Children aged 5-7 may sign up for 4-H Cloverbuds– an introductory program that meets once per month.
  • Youth aged 8-18 may enroll in 4-H projects.
  • (Age refers to how old the youth is by Dec. 31st of the current 4-H year)

Garfield County 4-H Members are required to…

• Join a community club– there are 22 active clubs from DeBeque to Carbondale who meet about once per month to connect and educate members and help keep everyone on track for upcoming deadlines and project requirements. Ask your 4-H agent for club recommendations and contact information!
• Attend and participate in at least 50% of club meetings
• Complete at least 6 hours of 4-H club or program initiated community service
• Complete 2/3 of the projects they sign up for (projects may be added until May 1st and dropped until April 1st)
• Complete and turn in a project record book. Your club leader or county agent can help you find and fill out the book(s) for you project(s)
• Practice personal responsibility. Parents, leaders, and extension agents will help throughout the year, but responsibility ultimately falls on the youth to actively learn about and complete their 4-H project(s)

4-H is a year-round youth organization that exists in over 80 different countries and looks a little different everywhere you go! In the United States, 4-H is run by the Land Grant University in each state. Land Grant Universities (LGU’s) were formed thanks to the Morrill Land Grant Act passed in 1862. This act ensured that public land was given to the state to be sold, the profit from which would go toward the formation of a college to teach agriculture and mechanical arts. In Colorado, this was the beginning of Colorado State University, our LGU. The extension program was later formed as an extension of LGU’s to provide educational opportunities on the county level. One of those educational opportunities is 4-H.

The Garfield County 4-H program began in 1916 with just a few clubs. Today we have grown to over 20 active Community Clubs and three 4-H Advisory Councils! There is a lively community of 4-H members across Garfield County who are constantly learning and practicing leadership, citizenship and life skills through the projects they take on. 4-H is about having fun, learning, exploring, and discovering new things. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new skills, become leaders and help shape their communities.

Since its humble beginnings more than 100 years ago, 4-H has grown to become the nation’s largest youth development organization.  Today, 4-H meets the needs of and engages young people in positive youth development experiences.  In looking to the next century, 4-H further develops its programs and continues its motto of “Making the Best Better.”

4-H gives young people a chance to pursue their own interests – from photography to computers, from building rockets to raising sheep- the list of 4-H projects is expansive.  4-H members go places – to other states, to district, state and national conferences. They learn to be leaders and active citizens.

In 4-H clubs facilitated by volunteer leaders, youth members serve as officers and learn to conduct meetings, handle club funds, and facilitate group decision-making.  They give back to their communities by getting involved in volunteer projects to protect the environment, mentor younger children and help people who are less fortunate.

New members and volunteers are always welcome!