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. There are nearly 2,000 youth from Hamilton County involved in 4-H!
4-H is for youth in grades 3-12. Mini 4-H is for youth in K-2. Click on the image to the left for a message from Kathleen Bohde, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator for Purdue Extension - Hamilton County.
See the 2025 4-H Hamilton County Family Handbook for new member information!
Online Enrollment opens October 1st - Enroll here
*4-H Online will be closed until October
Quick Links
Kathleen Bohde
Extension Educator - 4-H Youth Development
bohde@purdue.edu
2003 Pleasant Street
Noblesville, IN 46060
The Basics
Commitment: 4-H is year-round. Enrollment begins in October. Youth work on projects and learn valuable skills through June. In July, members can exhibit projects at the Hamilton County Fair. Exhibiting/competing at Fair is optional unless interested in competing at the Indiana State Fair.
Activities: Members attend monthly club meetings, complete community service, work on projects, and participate in social and/or educational events hosted by clubs or the County Extension office.
Benefits: 4-H is FUN! Members make new friends, experience new things, participate in leadership roles and learn hands-on skills through projects like cake decorating, shooting sports, dog agility, and much more!
Cost: Annual dues are $25 for members. Families enrolling more than three youth (grades 3 - 12 only) will be provided a discount for State Program Fees. Members are responsible for project supply costs.
Getting Started: Enroll first with Indiana 4-H HERE! Then find a club within your county to join and enroll. Contact club leaders for more information about available projects and the ages of members. Ask to try out a meeting as a guest. For more assistance, contact Hamilton County Extension staff to guide you through the process.
4-h projects
4-Hers have the opportunity to learn more about a subject matter that they choose to study through completing hands-on activities, called projects. The Hamilton County 4-H Program offers more than 60 projects. To enroll, members must select a project when enrolling in 4-H. Each project has a manual that guides the youth through the learning process and a set of guidelines that helps them meet the project requirements. We provide adult volunteers and staff knowledgeable on that particular subject who will often provide workshops to allow the youth to learn about that topic in a social environment. Each project has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level allowing youth to build on their knowledge each year and continue to challenge their skills. Projects are meant to be worked on over time, providing an educational opportunity for youth outside of the classroom setting. Youth will often exhibit and display their project at a local county fair to show the community what they have learned. There is no limit to the number of projects youth can sign up for.
Full listing of Hamilton County 4-H Projects.
4-h Clubs
4-H clubs pass along important 4-H program information and updates. Clubs allow for project review/questions, community service, program updates, and much more. You can choose a club that fits your schedule, a club that fits a special interest or one that is close to your home or school. Learn more about clubs by watching the video. Full listing of 4-H Clubs.
Mini 4-H
Mini 4-H is a 4-H program that is for youth in grades K-2. It is geared towards activity based learning and age appropriate curriculum. Mini 4-H Information & Projects.
