Are you interested in joining a Franklin County 4-H club? Below are a few frequently asked questions to help you beging the process! To learn more about 4-H, click here. 

Q: I'm new to 4-H in Franklin County. How do I and my family join a 4-H club?
A: Below are a few simple steps to get connected with a Franklin County 4-H Club. 

1. Click here for a list of current Franklin County 4-H Clubs.
2. Select a club fits your family's needs, including one that meets during a time and in a place that works for your schedule. If your child will be a Cloverbud (age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in kindergarten), be sure to select a club that accepts members within your child’s age range. 4-H project members must be age eight as of Jan. 1 of the current year and enrolled in third grade. Look for a club that allows members to take the types of projects your family is interested in (non-animal projects, sewing, livestock, dogs, horses, shooting sports1).
3. Once you’ve found a club that is a good fit for your family, contact the advisor to learn more about the club. For example, you may want to ask about the club’s meeting schedule, meeting location, participation/attendance requirements, club dues and fundraisers, club size, and what kind of involvement is expected from the members’ parents and/or guardians. You even can visit one of the club’s meeting or activities if you’d like.
4. Once you’ve selected a club, make it official and enjoy the experience! Be sure to complete the annual enrollment forms with your new 4-H club.

Q: Who is eligible to join 4-H?
A: Youth are eligible for membership in the 4-H club program when a child is at least age eight as of Jan. 1 of the current year and is enrolled in third grade.  Ohio 4-H membership ends Dec. 31 of the year in which an individual becomes 19-years-old. For our younger youth, children are eligible for 4-H membership as a Cloverbud when a child is age five as of Jan. 1 of the current year and is enrolled in kindergarten. Click here for more information about the Cloverbud program.

Q: When should I join 4-H?
A: The Franklin County 4-H enrollment deadline is April 1. Any youth that wishes to take their project to the Franklin County Fair in the summer must be enrolled in a Franklin County 4-H club by April 1. Therefore, we recommend beginning the process of joining a 4-H club in late fall or early winter, to ensure your family is formally enrolled by April 1. 

Q: How else can I learn more about 4-H?
A: A great way to learn about 4-H is by attending the Franklin County 4-H Winter Fair! Held on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, the Winter Fair is an excellent opportunity to learn about local 4-H clubs, individual projects, and camps… as well as take part in fun activities and speak with active 4-H members about their experience.