4-H or Youth Programs
UI Extension, Gooding County's 4-H program serves more than 300 youth ages 5-18. 4-H Youth Development members participate in innovative, fun programs through which they can develop lifelong skills. We also work closely with UI Extension in neighboring counties to offer additional youth programs in our area, both 4-H and non-4-H.
4-H members learn valuable skills, have fun, make new friends and solve problems in a variety of topic areas. They practice citizenship and can earn awards and recognition through 4-H. Youth develop leadership abilities and make a difference in our community.
4-H in Gooding County
4-H age is determined by the member's age as of Jan. 1 of the current year:
- 4-H Members — ages 8 to 18
- Cloverbuds — ages 5 to 7 (Cloverbuds are welcome to participate in 4-H but cannot take large animals to the fair.)
Effective Oct. 4, 2021, Idaho's 4-H program will begin using ZSuite for all aspects of 4-H. This includes enrollments, volunteer training and record books. Additional information regarding 4-H enrollment will be posted here as soon as it is available. We appreciate your patience and support through this transition.
New 4-H members should contact our office for assistance in enrolling.
Idaho’s 4-H program wouldn’t exist without its thousands of volunteers. In every part of the state, 4-H volunteers coordinate 4-H community clubs, lead 4-H projects and help to plan and conduct local, regional, state and national 4-H events. Visit the University of Idaho Extension 4-H Volunteers website to learn more about volunteering.
The county fair is a way for 4-H and FFA youth to showcase their project work and receive recognition for their efforts, but it can also provide important opportunities for positive youth development.
Life skill and developmental outcomes are accomplished through non-formal educational opportunities and the fair is a great place to provide positive opportunities for belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.
Interview schedule
All 4-H members will do an interview for their project(s).
- Animal interviews are usually held the Monday prior to fair.
- FCS/miscellaneous project interviews are usually held on the Friday prior to fair.
Interviews are mandatory. To be eligible to show or sell your animal, you must complete your interview.
4-H and FFA forms
Current year 4-H forms are available for download in ZSuite. FFA only members, please contact our office for needed forms and deadlines.
Guidelines
Gooding County 4-H Guidelines
District III Horse and Pony Council Guidelines
Each project will list the required documents to turn in to UI Extension, Gooding County for a completed 4-H project.
4-H Record Books
Record Keeping is a part of the overall 4-H experience. 4-H Record Books encourage members to set goals, seek strategies to meet those goals, and to shift gears, when needed, in the face of challenges and obstacles. Completing a 4-H Record Book is a process where 4-H members record project and club work.
4-H Involvement Reports
All projects require an Involvement Report to be completed and turned in as part of the "Exhibit Requirements" listed on the Project Requirements Sheet for each project. This report is meant to be a cumulative document that tracks the member's involvement throughout their 4-H career. Each year, a member should add to the previous year's report if possible. This helps members keep track of activities and is extremely beneficial when applying for scholarships.All Record Books, Involvement Reports, Treasurer Books and Secretary Books are accessible in ZSuite. Each project will have listed the documents required to be turned in to UI Extension, Gooding County.
4-H Horse Projects
Members with Horse projects must turn in:
- A completed Breeding Animal Record Book
- A completed "Animal Info" page in your Record Book, with the registration number, name and other information for your horse(s)
- A completed Involvement Report
4-H Livestock Market Projects
Members with Market Animal projects must turn in:
- A completed Market Animal Record Book
- A completed Involvement Report
4-H Livestock Breeding Projects
Members with Breeding Animal projects must turn in:
- A completed Breeding Animal Record Book
- A completed "Animal Info" page in your Record Book, with the registration number, name and other information for your breeding animals
- A completed Involvement Report
4-H Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)/Miscellaneous Projects
Members with FCS/Miscellaneous projects must turn in:
- A completed Non-Animal Record Book
- A completed Involvement Report
Cloverbud Projects
Below is a list of college scholarships. Please review their application due date.
- Idaho Angus College Auxiliary Scholarship (PDF)
- Idaho Horse Council Scholarship
- Western States Perpetuating Memorial Scholarship (PDF)
- American Angus Auxiliary Scholarship
- Idaho Friends of 4-H Scholarship
- Idaho Farm Bureau
- Gooding County Farm Bureau (Gooding uses the state form, due March)
- Idaho Irrigation
- Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce
- Frank Rodgers Livestock College Scholarship (PDF)
- Western Idaho Fair Scholarship Program
- www.expoIdaho.com
- Idaho Cattle Association Scholarship Program
Leadership
Youth involved in the 4-H program can become actively involved in growing and developing their leadership skills, from first becoming involved in a club committee to serving on state and national planning committees. Area-wide and county activities are created to provide involvement and educational programming across county lines. They are designed to provide youth and volunteers with learning and leadership opportunities.
Most scholarship applications ask for:
- Leadership
- Activities (involvement)
- Honor and awards
Received in:
- School
- Community
- 4-H/FFA or extracurricular organizations
- 4-H leadership
Get Involved
Attend and help plan other events. Doing so gives you travel and college opportunities. Check out the calendar or call the UI Extension, Gooding County to find out where you can get involved.
We also highly encourage all youth to use the 4-H Involvement Report (PDF) to record all your activities, including school, church and community items.
If you are interested in attending any of these events, please contact the UI Extension office. Scholarships may be available.
- 4-H Ambassadors — For 4-Hers ages 14 and up who have completed at least two years of 4-H projects and activities. 4-H Ambassadors work year-round to promote 4-H in their counties and attend an annual training held each November in McCall. Learn more about 4-H Ambassadors.
- TALK Retreat — Teen Ambassador Leadership Kit (TALK) is an annual retreat held in Albion, Idaho, to polish public speaking skills of teens who become 4-H ambassadors. Check out TALK Retreat.
- Know Your Government — Known as KYG, this conference is held in Boise each Presidents’ Day weekend while the Idaho Legislature is in session. Designed for students in grades 8-9, KYG is a project as well as an experience. Learn more about KYG.
- State Teen Association Convention — Join teens from around the state each June for five days of fun and educational activities on the University of Idaho Moscow campus. For teens who have completed grades 8 and up. Learn more about State Teen Association Convention.
- College Scholarships — Your involvement in 4-H can open many doors for you in the form of college scholarships. Learn more about 4-H scholarships.
- National Opportunities — Teen 4-Hers are invited to step outside their comfort zones and apply for one or more of the four national 4-H conferences that take place in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., or Madison, Wisconsin. Each has a rich history and purpose. Delegates selected as representatives of Idaho 4-H make new friends from around the country and enrich their own lives and those of others through their commitment to 4-H. Learn more about national opportunities for 4-H’ers.
- Camp Counselor — This position is for teens ages 14-18 who are enthusiastic and interested in working with younger children. Counselors will supervise campers, promote the health and safety of camp, actively participate in camp activities, show leadership and be a positive role model. They must attend leadership training and camp counselor training. Contact the office about day and summer camp activities.
A variety of awards are available at the county, district and state levels. Below you will find guidelines, applications and nomination forms. This information will be updated as current forms become available.
- Outstanding livestock exhibitor nomination form (pdf)
- Superior beef belt buckle award nomination form (pdf)
- Outstanding horse exhibitor nomination form (pdf)