4-H Youth Development

Market Goat, Market Lamb and Market Swine Registration - Due May 13th

***NEW FOR 2026***-All forms and payment will be brought to the tagging/weighing. Do NOT mail to the office. You must complete the registration paperwork online by May 13th and then you will print and bring with you to tagging/weighing.

Vet inspections will be done again this year. In addition, you will not prepay for the vet inspection/health papers. You will pay the day of the event (either cash or check).

Market hogs will be tagged and weighed on SUNDAY, May 17th starting at 7:00 A.M. Please be in line no later than 9:45 a.m.
Market lambs and market goats will be tagged and weighed on Monday, June 1st from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. (Please be in line no later than 7:45 p.m.)

1. Read the detailed letter from Sheryl
2. Download the appropriate payment form:  Goat/Sheep or the Swine
3. Download and sign the Liability - Informed Consent form (You may put all members on one form)
4. Go online and register you market animals.  Print a copy and sign
5. Sign up for Vet Check.  Remember they are only good for 60 day.
6. Remember to bring on tagging day  (payment form, payment to University of Maryland, signed consent form, and your signed Market Livestock Registration forms.

If you have any problems or questions send them all to Rick Hodiak

On-Line Animal Husbandry and Quality Assurance  (AHQA) Program is Open

All 4-H members enrolled in the following species - alpacas, beef, dairy, goats, horse and pony, llamas, poultry, sheep, swine and rabbits must be current on their AHQA completion requirements to be eligible to exhibit their project animals in 2026 Maryland County 4-H and State 4-H Shows.

You must complete the AHQA if:

• New to 4-H

• Changed from Junior to Intermediate or Intermediate to Senior

• Add a new specie

You will be able to self check after June 1st at https://howard4-h.net/countyfair/last_name.php

The online AHQA training program  https://ahqa.umd.edu/

Howard County 4-H Camp - June 21-27

We are excited to announce that the Howard County 4-H Residential Camp will be held June 21–27, 2026, at the Western Maryland 4-H Education and Camping Center in beautiful Garrett County, Maryland. This one-week program takes place on a scenic 1,100-acre site and is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), ensuring a high-quality and safe camp experience.

Residential Camp is open to all youth ages 8 (as of January 1, 2026) through 14. The camper fee is $600 for the week.

• You may pay with a credit card through Eventbrite - $642.09 incl. $42.09 Fee
• Make checks payable to:  University of Maryland

Campers will enjoy a wide variety of activities in a fun, outdoor setting, including arts and crafts, canoeing, swimming, hiking, archery, sports, a ropes course, riflery, campfires, and a talent show.

Our mission at Howard County 4-H Camp is to promote youth development by building life skills in a safe and inclusive environment. We encourage independence, teamwork, and lasting friendships through engaging, hands-on experiences at an outdoor overnight camp.

An orientation for parents and campers will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Orientation Attendance is required.

Online registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 4-H members will receive priority registration through April 20. After that date, registration will open to all youth ages 8–14 and will remain open until all spaces are filled. We encourage families not to wait, as camp fills quickly.

Need-based scholarships are available for those who qualify.

For more information, please contact Chris Rein at 410-313-1915 or Crein@umd.edu.

2026 4-H Enrollment:

Enrollment for members and volunteer is open.  We would like everyone enrolled by March 1st.  Please note that 4-H Online has a new landing page. It is super easy. Sign In if you are a returning 4-H member, or Sign Up if you are new to 4-H Online. 

The Qualtrics Survey must be completed after watching the video for new and returning volunteers:

New Volunteer

• Quick Guide
• Training Video: https://youtu.be/hgSORQ6jBvU
• Questionaire:  https://tinyurl.com/2n7pkjsb

Volunteer Refresher

• Quick Guide
• Training Video: https://youtu.be/zoOPMJh6zuA
• Questionaire:  https://tinyurl.com/bdz86xte

4-H Office is closed - The County Government Energy Saving Days:

Our 4-H Office is affected by the Howard County Government Energy Saving Days. During these days the Ascend One Building will be physically closed to the public, staff will be working remotely to ensure the needs of community members are still being met and are accessible via email. Please make note of the following days for the rest of this year:

• March: 30th - April 2nd and the 3rd holiday
• June:  29th - July  2nd and the 3rd holiday
• August:  3rd - 7th - the week before the fair
• November: 23rd - 25th - 26th & 27th holiday

2026 Special Awards:

We are looking for your support.  We have special awards for the 2026 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.