4-H Forms

2024 Nominations - Coming August 2024

• 4-H Youth Above and Beyond Award
• 4-H Helping Hands Award
• 4-H Youth Excellence in Leadership Award
• 4-H Project Leader of the Year Award
• 4-H Organizational Leader of the Year Award
• 4-H Volunteer Above and Beyond Award

2023 Award Winners

• 4-H Youth Above and Beyond Award - Kailani Y.
• 4-H Helping Hands Award - Owen Y.
• 4-H Youth Excellence in Leadership Award - Tyler D.
• 4-H Project Leader of the Year Award - Taunya H.
• 4-H Organizational Leader of the Year Award - Debbie J.
• 4-H Volunteer Above and Beyond Award - Crystal S.

2022 Award Winners

• 4-H Youth Above and Beyond Award - Sam B.
• 4-H Helping Hands Award - Sammi S. & Ashtyn D.
• 4-H Youth Excellence in Leadership Award - Colby I.
• 4-H Project Leader of the Year Award - Bernie W.
• 4-H Organizational Leader of the Year Award - Jackey G. & Bev G.
• 4-H Volunteer Above and Beyond Award - Gay L.

The Diamond Clover Award Program engages 4-H youth in a variety of projects and activities that will enable them to acquire skills related to leadership, community service, civic engagement and advocacy. The award consists of six levels that require a 4-H member to plan and accomplish a broad range of age-appropriate goals with supportive volunteers and community members. The Diamond Clover Project is one-way 4-H youth can make a lasting difference in their community. 

Diamond Clover - FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The first five levels are listed below. Click on the Word file to begin the process for the level that you are on. Starting with Level One and working your way up each year. 

Level One Plan and Report/ Word Version - Click HERE
Level Two Plan and Report/ Word Version - Click HERE
Level Three Plan and Report/ Word Version - Click HERE
Level Four Plan and Report/ Word Version - Click HERE
Level Five Plan and Report/ Word Version - Click HERE
Level Six Information/ Click HERE

Visit the Maryland 4-H Youth Development website for more information.

Learn more about the Maryland 4-H State Council in the FAQ Sheet.

The Maryland 4-H State Council is the premier leadership opportunity in Maryland. It comprises active 4-H members from around the state interested in developing high-level leadership skills and representing their county 4-H program. State Council members have the opportunity to learn from each other, volunteers, and faculty/staff outside of their club and county. The State Council is led by a youth officer team and faculty/staff advisors. 

To Join State Council

Eligibility	Any active Maryland 4-H youth age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the upcoming program year) may apply to be on the Maryland 4-H State Council. Membership is verified through 4-H Online.
Submission Deadline	November 15
Application Package	General Membership Information Packet Cover letter 4-H Resume Current portrait picture
Submission Portal	4-H Online - Under Events       How to Apply for a Leadership Opportunity Help Guide
Notification	December 15

State Council Informational Flyer

State Council Brochure

State Council Coordinator (Jamie Morris): jkenton@umd.edu

The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues-paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st, the year the trip takes place) from all counties and Baltimore City are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet (see instructions below) for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a portfolio package including an application, 4-H resume, essay, and interview.

Information Flyer 

Senior Portfolio Process Informational flyer

How to Apply for a Leadership Opportunity Help Guide

Links to helpful resources: 

• Overview of Portfolio Process
• Jazzing up your Resume
• Interview Etiquette
• Preparing 4-H'ers for Interview Success

2024 Senior Essay Question:

“How has your involvement in 4-H changed your life?”

Special thanks to the 2022 Leadership Trip delegates for great essay question suggestions and the 2023 Maryland 4-H State Council for helping select the 2024 Essay Question!

Each year Maryland education scholarships are awarded to current Maryland 4-H members or alumni(ae) who will be enrolled at an accredited college, university, or post-high school vocational program in the fall of the year in which they apply. 

Visit the Maryland 4-H Foundation website for more information and scholarship application scholarships. 

To be eligible to exhibit their project animals in Maryland County 4-H and State 4-H Shows, all 4-H members enrolled in alpacas, beef, dairy, goats, horse and pony, llamas, poultry, sheep, swine and rabbits are required to have completed the AH&QA on-line training.

Each County sets a date which can be prior to the mandated State deadline for the Maryland State Fair.  Calvert County's date is the same as for the Maryland State Fair.

• Maryland 4-H Animal Projects, Events, & Contests State Page
• Purpose & Goals of the 4-H Animal Science Program
• UME 4-H Code of Animal Science Ethics

4-H Animal Project Forms, Due Dates, and Requirements:

Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance

• AH&QA Program Guidelines
• AH&QA Pre-Post Test Study - Parent Consent/Youth Assent Letter (please read)
• AH&QA Program Site
  DUE by August 10th

Educational Resources

• Tips for the First 4-H Livestock Project
• MD 4-H Biosecurity Fact Sheet
• Learn to Earn: Establishing and Creating 4-H Project Marketing Opportunities
• Maryland 4-H Requirements and Tools for Exhibiting 4-H Swine Projects
• Maryland 4-H Requirements and Tools for Exhibiting 4-H Sheep Projects
• Maryland 4-H Requirements and Tools for Exhibiting 4-H Meat Goat Projects
• Maryland 4-H Requirements and Tools for Exhibiting 4-H Beef Projects
• Marketing Your 4-H Projects

Local Learning & Showing Opportunities 

• Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival - Typically the first weekend in May
• Southern Maryland 4-H Spring Show - Typically the first weekend in June
• Central Maryland 4-H Spring Show - Typically the second weekend in June

• Maryland 4-H Animal Projects, Events, & Contests State Page
• Purpose & Goals of the 4-H Animal Science Program
• UME 4-H Code of Animal Science Ethics

4-H Companion Animal Project Forms, Due Dates, and Requirements:

Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance

• AH&QA Program Guidelines
• AH&QA Pre-Post Test Study - Parent Consent/Youth Assent Letter (please read)
• AH&QA Program Site
  DUE by August 10th

Horse & Pony Project

• Maryland 4-H Horse & Pony Project Page
• State Contests (lots of ways to participate in the horse project without riding!)​
  • Horse Bowl Contest - Typically Early March 
  • Horse Communications Contest - Typically early April
  • Horse Judging & Hippology Contest- Typically second weekend in June
  • Art & Photography Contest - Typically early July
• State Fair 4-H Horse Show
• 2023 Maryland State 4-H Bit Guide
• Self-Certification of Equine Health - What's Involved
• Maryland 4-H Equine Showmanship & Equitation Standards Handbook

Journey through fields, forests, wetlands and urban areas to discover the wonders and mysteries of Maryland’s natural environment. Through their 4-H environmental and outdoor education projects young people will learn about the interconnection of people and nature.

Click Here for More Information

Our programming empowers youth to be healthy – body and mind – with the skills to make healthy decisions and lead healthy lifestyles. Having the confidence and skills to lead healthy lifestyles not only improves overall well-being; it enables youth to tackle life’s challenges today and become leaders in their lives, careers and communities as they grow into responsible adulthood.

Click Here for More Information

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

4‑H STEM programs provide kids opportunities to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) through hands-on projects.

Click Here for More Information

You Matter is series of newsletters designed to help you through difficult situations and to get more out of your life. 

• Article 1
• Article 2
• Article 3
• Article 4
• Article 5
• Article 6
• Article 7
• Article 8
• Article 9
• Article 10
• Article 11
• Article 12
• Article 13
• Article 14
• Article 15
• Article 16
• Article 17

Sources outside of Maryland for learning at home opportunities. 

• The Smithsonian
• MOMA
• University of California-Santa Clara County Virtual Field Trips

National 4-H At-Home Learning

• National 4-H "Clover"

STEM Activities

• STEM activities
• African Americans in STEAM: Esther McCready, Breonna Taylor, Emergency Medical Services, and Basic First Aid
• African Americans in STEAM: Ben Carson, Medicine, and the Skeletal System
• Stop Motion Animation for Beginners

Agriculture

• AGsploration lessons with walk-thru videos and career videos.
• Emergency Preparedness
• Indoor Gardening
• Agricultural Careers and Entrepreneurship (ACE)
  The ACE Virtual Center is an online resource designed to help prepare the next generation for careers in agriculture. Understand the importance of agricultural systems across Maryland. Learn more about the STEM related opportunities offered to help youth become more involved in experiential learning activities surrounding agricultural careers.

Miscellaneous

• Online reading - Clover Corner
• Clover Corner Reading Challenge Guidelines
• Resource for Teens using Social Media
• Quick and Healthy Snacks
• Virtual Kids Town Hall 
• Virtual Art and Photography Contest