Local 4-H Youth & Education

When paying for 4-H events check need to be made payable to:

University of Maryland
Ascend One Building
8930 Stanford Blvd, Suite 25
Columbia, MD 21045

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4-H Calendar

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Market Goat, Market Sheep and Market Swine due Tuesday, May 28th.

• Letter from Sheryl
• Register online:  You will need to run for each child and specie you plan to exhibit.  Print out the form to mail to the 4-H Office.
• Transmittal form:  Please print out and send with your forms.
• Liability informed Consent Form:  Please print and fill out.  You may put all children on one form.
• MAIL TO THE 4-H OFFICE AT 8930 STANFORD BLVD, SUITE 25, COLUMBIA, MD  21045.  MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

Swine Health Inspections/CVIs (health papers)- If you are planning to have vet inspections/CVI (health papers) completed on June 1st, the cost will be $25 per family. We are working with different vets this year and have changed the process slightly. Payment will be made directly to them on that day. Please bring $25 cash or a check written to Vet Trek.

Sheep/Goat Inspections/CVIs (health papers)-If you are planning to have vet inspections/CVI (health papers) completed on June 3rd the cost will be $25 per family. We are working with a different vet this year and have changed the process slightly. Payment will be made directly to her on that day. Please bring $25 cash or a check written to North Carroll Veterinary Service..

Please know that the vets and 4-H have worked together to offer this at a very reduced cost. Please be sure to thank the vet. While we are offering this, it does not replace the fact that each of you should have a veterinarian that you have built a relationship with for the health care of your animals. This is a vital and responsible step to owning and taking care of livestock.

Livestock Registrations Forms are due by June 1st.

All forms need to be returned to the Howard County Extension Office by Saturday, June 1 st . Please make sure to complete the paperwork now and go ahead and mail  them to us. Remember… our new office does not have a place to drop/leave paperwork on nights or weekends. June 1 st happens to be a Saturday so please make sure you have mailed or brought them to our office before June 1 st . Thanks!

• Dog 4-H Identification Card:  For each dog you will use to be part of your 4-H project, a care Dog ID card needs to be completed. For example, if you use one dog for agility and a different dog for obedience, then you need to complete a card for both dogs.
• Horse 4-H Identification Card:  For each horse that will be part of your 4-H project, you need to complete a Horse ID card. You cannot exhibit a horse at the county or state fairs in the 4-H show that you have not completed a card for, therefore, if you have more than one horse available, it is recommended to complete a card for each horse.
• Lease Forms:  If you are leasing an animal, you need to complete the Statement of Understanding and Release AND Performance Animal Lease OR Breeding Animal Lease.
• Rabbit Registration Form: All 4-Hers with rabbits are required to complete a project registration form and submit the form to the Howard County Extension Office by June 1 st .  If you are familiar with the Market Livestock Registration form, this form is very similar. Please use the attached information sheet to provide you guidelines and information regarding this process.
• Poultry Registration Form: All 4-Hers with rabbits are required to complete a project registration form and submit the form to the Howard County Extension Office by June 1 st .  If you are familiar with the Market Livestock Registration form, this form is very similar. Please use the attached information sheet to provide you guidelines and information regarding this process.
• Pygmy Goat Registration Form: All 4-Hers with pygmy goats are required to complete a project registration form and submit the form to the Howard County Extension Office by June 1 st .  If you are familiar with the Market Livestock Registration form, this essentially the same form but for pygmy goats.

Add/Drop projects are due to be done by June 1st.

Please remember final enrollment for 2024 needs to be completed by June 1st. If you plan to add or drop projects, now is the time to do so. Organizational Leaders have been sent a club roster so you can review it at your next club meeting to see your current project list. You can also review it in the Maryland 4-H Online Enrollment system. All changes need to be made through the 4-H enrollment system by June 1st.

When you go into the enrollment system, select 4-Her name and on the left side you will see projects. Click on projects where you can then add or delete.

If you know someone who is planning to join 4-H, they need to attend the May meeting of the club they are interested in. The 4-H office will not enroll someone without them attending a club meeting.

Enrollment Information

As the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System of land-grant universities, 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, empowering six million young people throughout the United States. Cooperative Extension of 1862 and 1890  land-grant universities provide the leadership to engage young people in 4-H in all 3,007 counties of the United States.

4-H'ers belong to 4-H Clubs that meet in local communities.  University of Maryland Extension Volunteers help youth learn life skills to become caring, competent and responsible individuals through club work, community service, and 4-H project curriculum.  4-H members work with their club leaders to develop their educational plans for each year.  These plans might include community service projects, speakers, field trips, or learning activities.

4-H'ers participate in county-wide programs organized by volunteers and University of Maryland Extension faculty.  These programs include activities such as fashion shows, camps, public speaking contests, workshops, and more.  With so many community clubs and specialty clubs in Howard County, there is always something to do in Howard County 4-H.

Please click on the Club Information link to find specific information about joining a club and the 4-H clubs in Howard County.

To join the Howard County 4-H program, you will need to complete the online enrollment process.  Please keep in mind that we ask potential members to attend at least one 4-H meeting prior to enrolling in the online system.  

Current re-enrollment for the 2024 is currently open and the link to register is https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in.

Central Cluster Fashion Revue Show

The show will be held on Friday May 17, 2024 at Montgomery County Fairgrounds Heritage Building.   All participants in the Fashion Revue show should be dressed and ready for Line-Up at 6:30 p.m. Show will begin at 7p.m.  All participants will be judged on Wednesday May 15, 2024 at the Montgomery County Extension Office 18410 Muncaster Road Derwood, MD 20855.  Judging will begin at 4p.m and run through the evening.  The judging assignments will be emailed to all participants.  

Any 4-H’er interested in Sewing/Clothing or Fashion Revue projects may participate in the Central Cluster Fashion Revue Show. There are two categories to enter constructed and ready to wear categories.  All outfits are scored on the garment appearance, model, outfit on the model, value of money spent and suitability for each participant.     

Constructed categories are made/sewn garments.   Constructed garments are judged only as it affects the appearance of the outfit on the model.   The inner construction of the outfit will be judged at your local county fairs.  Fashion Revue judges may look at the inner construction to give helpful suggestions to improve the outfit for the Fair.  Please take this as constructive criticism. These suggestions should be corrected to improve the outfit for the county fairs and or state fair.  

Ready to Wear categories are for purchased garments that need no or limited alterations for a fit.   4-H'ers who are entering Ready to Wear garments are reminded that the color and style will be considered in judging the coordination and overall appearance of your outfit as well as cost.  Make sure all added garments and accessories compliment you and your fashion. 

For more information you can reach Chris Rein at Crein@umd.edu. 

All entries are due in by May 8, 2024 NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

To Register Central Cluster Fashion Revue Show: https://forms.gle/cqp16rbSfnaazdCL6

Camp Payment can be made by:

• Cash or Check payable to the University of Maryland, 8930 Stanford Blvd, Suite 25, Columbia, MD  21045
• Online payment link for Residential Camp

2023 Essay Question:  Describe the benefit of participating in 4-H to an elected official and why they should support the 4-H Program.

2024 Essay Question:  How has your involvement in 4-H changed your life?

2024 Special Awards:  We are looking for your support.  We have special awards for the 2024 Howard County Fair in need of sponsorship.  Since we had no awards last year we may have a number of awards that become available.  Please check availability often.