4-H Project areas
Quick links: |
 Web based 4-H Project information |
Match your interests with a 4-H project! 4-H projects are fun, hands-on experiences where you learn-by-doing. 4-H projects give you freedom to find out what you like and what you're good at.
If you're in Kindergarten through Third Grade, check out the Cloverbud section. This is just for you! Third Graders can select other projects with the permission of their parents and local extension staff.
Click on the project title to see helpful links, and information relating to the project.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE...creating a record of your 4-H work can be a valuable and easy way to bring you more success with your 4-H projects, your school work, and even your future career? Click here to learn more!
LEGEND |
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PLUS Sheet Click here to view all 4-H PLUS Sheets |
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| 4-H P.L.U.S. sheets (one page front and back) give you a general introduction to each 4-H project. These flyers will help you quickly review what the specific 4-H project areas are about and help you decide whether or not a project will help you reach your learning goals for the year. | ||
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Project Profile for Leaders | |
| Project Profiles are a guide for Project Leaders. These profiles help you reach your goals as a leader. | ||
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Curriculum Guide Click here to access the Curriculum Guide |
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| List and description of recommended project materials. | ||
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Project/Activity - 4-H Judges Evaluation Sheets Click here to view all 4-H Judges Evaluation Sheets |
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| Project Evaluation Sheets are used by Judges when judging projects. Use these to help evaluating your project learning and skill development. | ||
ANIMAL SCIENCE
Check with your local Extension office for specific information on animal birthdates and ownership and identification details.
Learn how to select, feed, care for, and show a beef animal you want to raise. Show animals must be registered by May 15 (steers by February 15). The 4-H member or immediate family must own all market animals. Heifer and cow/calf project animals may be owned or leased. Animals may be grade, purebred, or crossbred. Dairy beef must be purebred.
Cats don't come with instructions so learn how to keep them safe by cat-proofing your house. Find out how to keep them healthy and frisky. And if you're a real Ailurophile (cat lover), look into veterinary practices.
Members and leaders prepare themselves for all phases of the dairy industry, from manufacturing and marketing dairy products to scientific dairy research and related agribusinesses. You may lease or own a dairy animal (prior to first freshening). May 15 is the deadline to identify show animals.
Goats are friendly and easy to keep. And their kids really are kids! Find out how to take care of goats and about the products that come from them. You may lease (prior to first freshening) or own a dairy animal. May 15 is the deadline to identify show animals.
Dogs can be perfect pets or four-legged terrors. The difference is in the owner. Learn how to rain and care for your own dog, or raise a puppy to be a leader dog or companion for persons with disabilities. Dogs may be leased or owned.
Project Website
You love animals but don't have any? Do not despair! In this project you can pursue your special interest or prepare for the day when you have an animal. Choose from beef, horses, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine, dairy goats, dairy animals, or pets - then start learning.
If you are a lover of everything horses, then this is your project. Climb on and learn about show, trail, or endurance riding; test your horse sense at quiz bowls or judging teams; or study horse science. The Horse Training project is designed to help the advanced rider train an untrained horse through a five-step process. You may have more than one horse in this project. Your horse may be leased or owned.
Horse Training
Horseless Horse
Learn about how to take care of small pets, including birds, hamsters, mic, rats, and guinea pigs.
Do more than "scratch the surface." Learn how to raise turkeys, chickens, ducks, or geese. Or you could raise show and hobby species like guinea hens, pigeons, pheasants, and quail. You'll "test your wings" when you exhibit this year's hatch.
Did you know that some rabbits have tattoos? Learn why in this project. Find out how to pick rabbits, how to keep them hopping and healthy, and how to get them ready for show.
Bottle-feeding a lamb is one thing, raising and marketing sheep is another. In this project you can raise or show purebred or crossbred yearling ewes, aged ewes, or market lambs. Ewe lambs and market lambs must be born on or after January 1 and be identified by May 15, market lambs must be weighed by the same date. You may lease or own a sheep.
Wool - Fleece
Lamb Lead
What does it take to raise and market hogs? In this project you can focus on market hogs, breeding hogs or both. You may raise or show one or more purebred or crossbred gilts, barrows, or litters. Barrows must be born on or after March 1 and gilts, on or after January 1. All animals must be identified by May 15.
Whether you want to be a veterinarian or keep your own pet healthy, this project teaches you everything you need to know about animals, including animal health and preventing disease. You do not need to own an animal and any animal will work - cats, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, or birds.
Dairy
Livestock, and Rabbit Meats
Junior
Senior
EXPRESSIVE AND COMMUNICATION ARTS
Did you know there are really only three kinds of clown characters? Find out what they are and why the possibilities within those three are endless. As you develop your own clown style, you'll put together a clown kit of props, wigs, makeup, and scripts. And then it's show time!
Crafts: Real craftsmanship is skill developed over time. By following instructions and learning technique, you will find and strengthen abilities you can use the rest of your life. Plus you'll have cool crafts!
Fine Arts: Each artist sees the world in a totally unique way in 4-H art projects you can set your imagination free and express yourself by drawing, painting, modeling, carving, printing, or sculpting.
Performers live in their imagination, and what's wrong with that? In this project you develop and present stories through acting, mime, movement, puppetry, and technical theater. From makeup to costumes to lighting - you'll learn about the "work" behind the make believe.
There's a lot to learn about different cameras and how to plan, take, and exhibit excellent shots. In this project you can experiment with digital equipment, special effects, film processing, print enlarging, and computer enhancement.
Tell a story through video. Learn the basics about equipment, composition, and shooting; then move on to advanced camera techniques, lighting, and editing. Work by yourself or with a friend in developing a multi-camera production team.
FAMILY CONSUMER SCIENCE
The really good baby-sitters come with credentials. Learn how to help care for younger kids and how to be a good role model. Show kids how to be more self-reliant, how to handle emergencies, how to develop home-alone skills, and how to stay healthy.
There isn't a fashion designer in the world who doesn't know how to sew. Learn the basics of the sewing machine and special timesaving tips. Create a core wardrobe and update with must-have accessories. Try your hand at fashion illustration and computer design. Thing about jobs in art, business, or marketing.
Clothes You Buy
Fashion Revue
Quilting
Learn about fad diets, how emotions affect what we eat, and how to make a recipe more healthy. And since everyone has to eat, learn how to pick healthy foods, how to be a smart shopper, and how to cook.
Food Preservation
Food Revue
There's a whole television channel on this subject! Look at the outside and inside of your house and learn how to make it all good. Dig a little deeper into a topic - from interior design to organizing to buying your own home.
Knitting is cool again. Before joining a knitting club or having a knitting party, learn the basics about knitting, crocheting, and needlework.
MECHANICAL SCIENCES
Let's face it - we all wish we could fly! This project brings you closer through challenging activities on flying an airplane, launching a rocket, conquering space, and becoming an astronaut or pilot. Learn about hot air balloons, remote control airplanes, gliders, and space shuttles.
Bikes are great until you're stuck with a flat tire. Learn how to make your own repairs and how to ride more safely. Find out about rides in your community and bike paths throughout the state. Or take it to the next level and get involved in off-road biking, touring, or racing.
Stand out in the huge field of computers and technology. In this project you can focus on hardware (learn how to build a computer from scratch, upgrade an old computer, or troubleshoot), software, the Internet, or even the ways computers are affecting our world.
From building burglar alarms to learning how to select really good stereo equipment, this project lets you experience technology firsthand. Learn about electrical terms, simple circuits, how to measure electricity, and the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
For some people, a piece of wood or metal is a project waiting to happen. Kick up dust (or sparks) while learning everything from measuring to using routers, and jointers. You can saw boards, drill holes, drive and pull nails, sand wood, and use glue and finishes.
Become a master of machines! Learn about two- and four-cycle engines and then get down to work. You will disassemble a carburetor and air cleaner, identify parts, and service or adjust; you will also check and adjust ignition, and clean and regap spark plugs. Then you'll learn how to operate, service, and maintain other machines with small engines.
If you are 14-15 years old and want to operate farm tractors and machinery off your family farm, you need to take this course to legally work on other farms. Learn how to safely operate farm tractors and machinery and receive a certificate of completion.
NATURAL RESOURCES
They bite us, they torment us, they scare us, they bug us - but we can't live without them. Insects are beneficial, beautiful, and have fascinating lifestyles. Learn about insects and study their complex world. Make a collection net, killing jar, pinning block, spreading board, and display case. Learn about experiments, research, and careers.
Take trips or hikes to a forest, field, or stream; make collections, and learn about plants, trees, insects, animals, and birds. Learn about the four elements of life, the connections among living things, and how all plants and animals affect each other.
If you live in Minnesota, you better know how to fish! In this project you identify different fish and where they live. You learn how to tie lines and use the equipment. Then it's time to catch, clean, and cook your own fish.
Plant a tree and chances are it will be there long after you're gone. In this project you'll learn about the layers of a forest, how to identify different trees, how forests change, and why trees are a breath of fresh air for cities.
In this project you'll learn about the rocks, minerals, and water that make up our earth - then you'll find out how to use them! Make rock plates and collections of rocks, minerals and fossils. Build a rock tumbler, and polish and make your own decorative jewelry. Learn about birthstones.
Shooting Sports/Wildlife Management
Learn to be a better shot, a safer hunter, and an ethical sportsperson. This hands-on project teaches you the right way to use air pistols, air rifles, 22 cal. rifles, shotguns, archery, and black-powder guns. Learn about wildlife and the environment in habitat projects.
In Minnesota we have 15,000 lakes to protect - not to mention thousands of acres of wetlands, and hundreds of miles of rivers. Join the water team by learning about ecosystems, water quality, pollution, and how you can help with our water resources.
Wildlife populations are in constant change. If they can't find enough food, water, shelter, or space they die, adopt or move (it's called the D.A.M. Law). Learn about the things different wildlife need and how you can help by improving their habitat.
PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Citizenship takes practice. Learn how everyday situations give us the chance to be active citizens. Study your heritage and your family's past. Find out how people talking and listening to one another is good for everyone.
Before you shop 'til you drop, learn how to compare prices, spot a good deal, and appreciate quality. Find out the difference between wants and needs, and how to save for something really amazing.
Need to talk about world events? You're not alone. Join other kids in small groups or in self-directed study to talk about world issues and how potential global solutions can start in your own town.
The way you treat your body affects how it works. Stay healthy by staying on top of topics like tobacco, alcohol, and nutrition. Knowing more makes it easier to make healthy choices. And while you're at it, find out how to have fun staying fit!
Learn how to keep yourself safe, then help others stay safe. You can teach about safety with water, fire, electricity, and recreational vehicles (ATVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, boats, etc.); identifying farm hazards and making them less dangerous, making first aid kids and winter survival kits.
Leadership means stepping forward. Stepping outside yourself. Stepping to the front of the classroom. Stepping into the heart of your community. This project helps you find the leader within.
Consumer Decision Making
Banner
New Ways
PLANT SCIENCES
This project is the whole package - before you raise a field crop you learn about tillage and seedbed preparation; selecting a variety and planting; soil and fertility needs; weed; insect; and disease control; harvesting and storage; and marketing and career opportunities.
It all starts with a seed. Start flowers from seed or learn how to pick out plants (annuals, biennials, and perennials). Get tips for keeping flowers fresh and making awesome arrangements. If you're really serious, you can turn a flower project into a science exhibit.
Ready for a challenge? Learn how to grow, store, and market fruit. And by fruit we mean twenty-five or more strawberry or raspberry plants or three or more grapevines, fruit trees, currant bushes, or gooseberry bushes.
Did you know you can make flowers bloom in the winter? Or grow plants in a bed of rocks? This project is a fun way to learn all about plants that grow indoors.
Whether you want to be a landscape designer or the neighborhood lawn-mowing guru, learn everything you need to know about lawns, shrubs, and trees. Learn how to design and create a landscape plan.
Science meets nature as you learn everything from parts of a flower to cross fertilization to soil conditions. And did we mention experiments? (grades 9-12).
Potatoes taste so good they get their own project! Learn how to grow, harvest, and store potatoes and then make some awesome potato recipes.
How does your garden grow? Great when you know what you're doing. In this project you'll plan it, dig it, grow it, and how it. Who knows, you may want to make it a career.
CREATE YOUR OWN PROJECT
Are you tired of following someone else's idea of a good learning experience? Then make your own. You will be your own researcher, your own scientist, your own artist, your own communicator, and own evaluator. Ask your local 4-H leader or Extension staff for resources to help create your own project area!
CLOVERBUDS
The Cloverbud Program appeals to a child's natural curiosity, enthusiasm for earning, and high energy level. It is an opportunity for exploration and active learning in a noncompetitive environment. Through a wide variety of activities and experiences, children are encouraged to explore and think about the world around them.