Information for 4-H Youth

4-H is the youth development program of Washington State University.  Being a part of the 4-H organization and participating in projects and club experiences, you can learn life skills such as decision making, communications, leadership, record keeping, responsibility, increased self-esteem, and research-based project knowledge and skills.

How to become a 4-H Member

1. Decide what project you would like to participate in. Check out Kittitas County 4-H Projects. Contact the Extension Office to get information for your club or interest.
2.  Contact the club leader to learn about the club, it’s projects, and meeting times and location before enrolling.
3. Enroll online at 4HOnline
   • The $25 per member State 4-H Enrollment fee for 2023-24 is paid by Kittitas County 4-H Council. When enrolling, choose the check payment option to submit your enrollment. You will receive an automated e-mail asking you to bring payment into the office-disregard that message. No fees will be collected from members.

Useful Information

• Welcome to 4-H: New Member’s Information (PDF)
• How You Can Help Your Child in 4-H (PDF)

You Should Know….

• The 4-H year starts October 1 and ends September 30.
• The enrollment deadline for participation in the Kittitas County Fair for Horse, Livestock, Small Animal, and Family & Consumer Science Projects is February 1.
• Youth who have reached their 5th birthday before October 1 of the current 4-H year through youth who have not reached their 19th birthday before October 1 of the current 4-H year are eligible to enroll in a 4-H club.
• To complete the 4-H year you must:
  • Complete a record book and project. Loss of project (animal, garden, etc.) does not mean incompletion for the project. It should be written up in the member’s record book as far as possible
  • Participate in at least one showmanship
  • Give a demonstration in at least one project area
  • Attend club meetings (members may not miss more than three business meetings per year, per club)
  • Participate in Judging Contests
    • Livestock members must participate in the Kittitas County Fair Livestock Judging Contest
    • Horse members must participate in one county Horse Judging Contest

Scholarships

Kittitas County 4-H Council is sponsoring six scholarships in the amount of $2000 each:

• 4-H Endowment Trust Fund Scholarship-Awarded to a graduating senior who is actively involved in the 4-H leadership project.
• Jeanette K. Burghart 4-H Memorial Scholarship-Awarded to a graduating senior who has been actively engaged in 4-H Know Your Government (May have been current and/or earlier years.)
• Barbara Schnebly Shaw A Scholarship-Awarded to a graduating senior who excelled in demonstrations and/or club leadership.
• Barbara Schnebly Shaw B Scholarship-Awarded to a post-secondary student who excelled in demonstrations and/or club leadership.
• Kittitas County 4-H Leaders Council A Scholarship-Awarded to a graduating senior who has been actively involved in Kittitas County 4-H at the club and community level.
• Kittitas County 4-H Leaders Council B Scholarship-Awarded to a graduating senior who has been actively involved in Kittitas County 4-H at the club and community level.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current or former member of Kittitas County 4-H.
• Have a cumulative high school/college GPA of 2.0 or better.
• Intend to pursue post-secondary education through trade school, 2-year college, or 4-year college.
• Submit a cover letter introducing oneself. Give a brief history of your 4-H experience.
• Submit the Kittitas County 4-H Scholarship General Application form.
• Submit a resume that includes your 4-H involvement.
• Submit two letters of recommendation focusing on your 4-H involvement, leadership qualities, and community service involvement. Should not be from any family members or leader(s) who helped with the application process.
• Submit current transcripts-can be unofficial.
• Submit an essay on your 4-H experiences and how they have affected you. Essay should be: Times New Roman, size 12 font, double spaced, and no more than 750 words. Include adequate details of what 4-H has done to prepare you for the future addressing each of the following:
  • Growth in values of 4-H: Head, Heart, Hands, Health
  • Challenges overcome
  • Community service in and out of 4-H
  • Leadership involvement in 4-H
  • Demonstrations
• Submit most recent complete 4-H Record Book. Will be reviewed for:
  • Completeness
  • Appearance/Presentation
  • Quality of details
• Submit most recent KYG 4-H Project Record if appilicable.

Only one application package needs to be submitted to be considered for all scholarships.

An interview with the Scholarship Selection Committee will be scheduled within two weeks after the application closes.

Applications will be reviewed and selections made by the Scholarship Selection Committee.

Scholarships will be forwarded to the school of recipient’s choice upon proof of enrollment. Funds must be spent within 18 months of announcement.

No more than one scholarship award may be given to an applicant.

Applications are due to the Extension Office by April 1.

Kittitas County 4-H Scholarship Application and Criteria (PDF)