Help Start a 4-H Club

About 4-H
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4-H offers a wide variety of opportunities for you to discover your world, your community and yourself. YOU make your own choices and set your own goals!

The Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is open to all youth ages 5-18. Through learning-by-doing, youth gain practical skills and develop life skills.

Currently, there are far more youth wanting to be in 4-H clubs than there are clubs. Families are encouraged to help organize a new club -- which is a lot easier than you may think! Starting a 4-H club now gives plenty of time for members to work on projects for next year's county and state fairs.

Club Organization

Clubs range from 5 to 60 members and are led (or co-led) by club leaders -- often club members' parents. Parents are encouraged to attend meetings.

Volunteers are the heart of 4-H. Adult leaders partner with youth members to complete projects.

Club leaders -- Also known as organizational leaders, club leaders coordinate meeting times and agendas. They also are responsible for club enrollment information.

Project leaders -- Clubs may or may not have project leaders who provide leadership for specific projects.

Parent volunteers -- Also known as assistant leaders, provide valuable guidance to youth.

Club officers -- Youth members choose officers to run their meetings.

Over 150 Projects

Nebraska 4-H has more than 150 project areas. Age-appropriate project manuals are written by university experts. Most project manuals have accompanying leader guides.

In most clubs, members complete several projects a year. Some 4-H clubs focus on one particular project area, such as rabbits. Many youth exhibit their projects at the county and state fairs.

Other Resources

Resource materials available to leaders include:

  • Regularly-scheduled leader trainings
  • The Nebline monthly newsletter 4-H pages
  • Lancaster County 4-H Web site at http://lancaster.unl.edu
  • Nebraska 4-H web site at http://4h.unl.edu
  • Mailings to club leaders
  • County and State Fair can provide numerous ideas and inspirations for projects!

Now is a Good Time
to Start a 4-H Club.

Join 4-H!

Lancaster County 4-H:


4-H Year in Review!

2018 4-H Achievement Celebration Results

In 2017, Lancaster County 4-H engaged 35,946 youth through clubs, school enrichment and after-school programs. 1,946 adults volunteered. Lancaster County, 4-H is a cooperative effort between University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and the Lancaster County government.

Responsive. Innovative. Trusted.