4-H Youth Development

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

2025-2026 Enrollment

Download Enrollment Form

Annual Volunteer Enrollment Form - This form is for volunteers who have already completed the background check process.

New Volunteer Application/Background Check Authorization - This form is for adults who wish to become new volunteers.

What is 4-H?

4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.

Head Managing, Thinking

Heart Relating, Caring

Hands Giving, Working

Health Being, Living

Additional Information

Join 4-H 4-H Programs 4-H Summer Camp Hardin County Fair - 4-H Entries Volunteer Opportunities

4-H Newsletters

Hardin County 4-H Clubs

Cloverbuds

Cloverbuds are 5-8 years old on January 1, 2026. Cloverbuds can join most other 4-H clubs that 4-H age youth participate in but not all. Due to a very high demand for this club we have to limit spots meaning that pre-registration is required.

Registration for Fall 2025 meetings at https://hardin.ca.uky.edu/events

For more information, contact jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

Discover the full scope of rabbit, chicken, and guinea pig care. Open to ages 5 to 18. Animal ownership not required.

Feathers & Fluff is free to join and you can sign up at the meeting.

2025-2026 meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Service (111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown)

Sept. 4
Oct. 2
Nov. 6
Dec. 4
Jan. 8
Feb. 5
Mar. 5
Apr. 2
May 7
June 4
Feathers & Fluff Show at Hardin County Fair, July 10 at 9 a.m.

Contact Club Leader Candice Bowen (itoj260@gmail.com) for more information.

Looking for a fun, hands-on learning group for your homeschooler? 4-H Homeschool Club is open to youth ages 5 to 18. Explore projects in science, art, leadership and more!

2025-2026 Meeting Dates

Sept. 24, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, Mar. 25, Apr. 29, May 27

Please visit https://hardin.ca.uky.edu/events to RSVP for each meeting date.

For more information, contact Hardin County 4-H Agent Deana K. Reed at deanakreed@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

Investigate animal health and nutrition, learn about livestock care, practice livestock judging and evaluation, and participate in numerous showing activities.

Animal ownership is not required. Come join the fun and learn about livestock!

Livestock Club is free to join and you can sign up at a meeting.

2025-2026 meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Service (111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown)

Sept. 9
Additional meeting dates will be announced soon.

For more information, contact Club Leaders Shaune Williams (shaune.williams@hardin.kyschools.us) and David Street (dstreet2611@gmail.com)

Learn about dog care and training through monthly club meetings and weekly training sessions. Dog ownership is not required. (Please do not bring dogs with you unless/until you have been given permission by the Club Leaders.)

PAWS is free to join, and you can sign up at a meeting.

2025-2026 club meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Service (111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown, KY).

Sept. 29
Oct. 13
Nov. 10
Dec. 8
Jan. 12
Feb. 9
Mar. 9
Apr. 13
May 11
June 15

Training schedule will be shared with club members.

For more information, contact Hardin County 4-H Agent Jocelyn Kemp at jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

Come see what the buzz is all about! Bee ownership is not a requirement of membership!

Beginner Beekeepers Club is free to join and you can sign up at a meeting.

2025-2026 meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Service (111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown)

Sept. 2
Oct. 7
Nov. 4
Dec. 2
Jan. 6
Feb. 3
Mar. 3
Apr. 14
May 5
June 2
July 7

For more information, contact club leader Annie Peterson at anniepeterson76@gmail.com

Let's Aim for Safety!

Build skills and confidence in shooting sports - an activity you can enjoy and compete in for a lifetime. Learn and follow safety rules at all times under supervision of a certified coach. Firearm ownership is not required.

Possible disciplines include pistol, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloading, and archery.

Target Masters is free to join, and you can sign up at a meeting. Youth must be 9 years old or older before January 1, 2026 to join this club.

2025-2026 meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Service (111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown)

Oct. 9
Jan. 8
Feb. 12
Mar. 12
Apr. 9
May 14
June 11

For club information, contact adult leader Leann Davidson at (270) 734-0587.

4-H Teen Club provides youth ages 13+ with a friendly, supportive environment to develop new skills, build relationships, and celebrate one another's talents. Hands-on activities support the development of life-skills, including cultural understanding and awareness (including food preparation and etiquette!); basic sewing and mending; resume building, interviewing, and job preparedness; and other projects inspired by the members' interests.

2025-2026 Meeting Dates

6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Office (111 Opportunity Way, Elizabethtown)

Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 18

For more information, contact Stephanie Meredith at smeredith@uky.edu or

Club meets monthly at the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service Office.

No horse? No problem! Meetings and activities are open to horse owners and non-owners.

For more information, contact club leader Christi Douglass at standingoakranch@gmail.com

Hardin County 4-H Council basic information.

For more information, contact Jocelyn Kemp or Deana K. Reed at (270) 765-4121.

How does 4-H benefit youth?

4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:

Four times more likely to contribute to their communities.

Two times more likely to be civically active.

Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology programs during out-of-school time.

4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.