4-H Youth Development

4-H Clover Logo

What is 4-H?

4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

In 4‑H programs, kids and teens complete hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. Kids experience 4‑H in every county and parish in the country through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs, and 4‑H camps.

4-H is open to all youth who are residents of Kansas and between the ages of 7 and 19. The 4-H year runs from October 1 until September 30. Youth who turn 7 before January 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll.

Visit the Kansas 4-H website (https://www.kansas4-h.org/) for more details.

Cloverbuds

4-H Cloverbuds is open to five and six-year-olds and fosters the development of essential life skills for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical maturation. Cloverbuds includes fun, non-competitive, educational, activity-based learning. Enrollment for Cloverbuds is also available at https://www.4honline.com.

Each of the four H's of the clover represents ways youth can grow and develop.

Head, critical thinking, problem solving;

Heart, self-discipline, integrity, communication;

Hands, serving others;

Health, choosing healthy lifestyles.

Joining 4-H is as easy as 1-2-3 !!

4-H Clubs meet monthly as a form of community learning. There are 4 clubs in Meade County.

  1. Find a club in your area. Meade County has one club in Plains (Plains Livewires), two clubs in Meade (Town and Country, Four Leaf Clovers), and one club in Fowler (3 C's). For club leaders' contact information, call the office at (620) 873-8790 or email wlhenson@ksu.edu.
  2. Visit 2-3 clubs to find one that fits your family - or choose based on location!
  3. Enroll online at https://www.4honline.com

Returning members should re-enroll by December 1 in order to participate in the county fair and other competitive events.

New families should visit the 4-H club at least once before joining to ensure the club is a good fit for their family. To meet the March 1 enrollment deadline, you must visit no later than the January or February club meetings. New members must join by March 1 of the current 4-H year (2025-2026).