4-H in Benewah County
4-H
In 4-H, we are developing citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning and a positive youth development approach, with a focus on agriculture, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), civic engagement and healthy living.
Youth ages 5-18 in Benewah County can become a member of a 4-H club, attend a 4-H camp or a project camp, participate in an afterschool program and grow as leaders through district and statewide events and opportunities. Our programs are designed to spark curiosity and build lifelong skills – whether you’re new to 4-H or a returning member, there’s always something new to explore.
To learn more about 4-H in Idaho, visit the UI Extension 4-H Youth Development website.
What is 4-H?
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, with over 6.5 million members nationwide — and thousands here in Idaho. In 4-H, children and teenagers build confidence and gain lifelong skills. Through hands-on learning in clubs, camps and community programs, Idaho youth explore their passions, connect with others and make a difference — in a safe, welcoming environment.
Clubs
4-H empowers young people with hands-on learning experiences in a variety of project areas to help them grow and thrive. From rabbits to robots, food science to fashion design, and archery to photography, there’s a 4-H activity for everyone. Clubs also participate in community service projects. View our list of clubs, then contact our office to start making friends, learning new skills and becoming a better you.
Animal House
This club is based in St. Maries and is open to market and breeding beef, dairy cow, market and breeding market goat, dairy goat, market and breeding sheep, market and breeding swine, market pet and breeding rabbit, market family flock, laying hens/pullets and market turkeys.
Barnyard Brigades
This club is based in St. Maries and is open to market and breeding beef, dairy cattle, market and dairy goat, market and breeding sheep and market swine.
Dead-Eye Archery
This club is based in St. Maries and is open to archery projects.
Fun Squad
This club is based in St. Maries and is open to cooking projects.
Happy Hoofers
This club is based in St. Maries and is open to horse projects.
Harrison Explorers
This club is Harrison and is open to market beef, Cloverbud rabbit, family flock (pet poultry), market and pet rabbit, market swine and veterinary science projects.
Harrison Livestock
This club is based Harrison and St. Maries and is open to market and breeding beef, dog, market turkeys, baking, cooking, Get Started in Art, Portfolio Pathways, Sketchbook Crossroads and Cloverbud rabbit.
Lakeside Leaders
This club is based in Plummer and is open to Create Art Now, creative writing, crochet, knitting, quilting, Handwork From Our Heritage Native Beading and Weaving, hiking, market and breeding dairy, pet/pygmy goat, market broilers, pullets-laying hens and family flock (pet) poultry, market and breeding rabbit, pet rabbit, market and breeding sheep projects.
Panhandle Panthers
This club is based in Plummer and St. Maries and is open to market and breeding beef, cavy-guinea pig, pullets-laying hens, breeding and pet rabbit, market and breeding sheep projects.
Tinker’s Guild
This club is based in St. Maries and is open to cake decorating and Know Your Government projects.
Projects
As part of a 4-H club, youth enroll in at least one project each year. As members gain experience, the depth of a project may increase, or additional projects may be selected. Projects are overseen by adult mentors who guide members in gaining knowledge and skills. Some project groups meet weekly, while others may meet once or twice a month. Completed projects are then showcased at local county fairs.
Agriculture projects
In Benewah County, many youth participate in horse, livestock or small animal projects to learn how to properly care for their animals and learn how to present them in public settings. 4-H members must make their own arrangements to keep and care for animals – animals are not provided by 4-H. With each project, youth can learn up-to-date industry standards of breeding, feeding and management practices.
The USDA Farm Service Agency offers a youth project loan program. Loans of up to $10,000 to eligible youth ages 10-20 are available to finance income-producing, agriculture-related projects.
STEM projects
4-H offers many projects related to science, technology, engineering and math, including robotics, drones, coding, financial literacy and 3-D printing.
Healthy living projects
Idaho’s 4-H healthy living projects help youth lead lives that balance physical, mental and emotional health. Projects related to healthy living include cooking, sewing, crafting, shooting sports, photography, food science and more.
Civic engagement and leadership projects
4-H civic engagement and leadership projects empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. Youth have the opportunity to participate in Know Your Government, State Teen Association Convention and 4-H LEADS, among other opportunities.
Explore the full list of 4-H projects and contact our office to see which are offered in Bear Lake County.
Clubs
4-H offers a variety of day camps and overnight camps related to specific topics. Youth do not have to be enrolled in 4-H to attend these camps. All camps are held at the Benewah County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the UI Extension, Benewah County office at benewah@uidaho.edu or 208-245-2422 to learn more about our specific camp offerings.
How to join 4-H
- Contact the UI Extension, Benewah County office at benewah@uidaho.edu or 208-245-2422 to identify what clubs, projects or programs you are interested in.
- Our office will contact our club leaders to help place you in a 4-H club. If a club is already filled or if you don’t see projects you’re interested in already offered in Benewah County, we can help you start a new 4-H club.
- After receiving a confirmation of club placement, enroll for your selected club and project through our official membership platform, ZSuite.
- Pay enrollment fees online, in-person or via mail to the UI Extension, Benewah County office, 711 W Jefferson Ave., Suite 2, St. Maries, ID 83861. You can also pay over the phone with a credit/debit card.
Enrollment fees:
- $40 for regular members (youth ages 8-18, up to three projects)
- $42 for horse members (youth ages 8-18, up to three projects)
- $30 for Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-7)
- $3 per project for more than three projects
- $1 optional volunteer supplemental accident insurance
- $2 optional horse volunteer supplemental accident insurance.
If you are having difficulty paying the enrollment fee, please call us to set up a payment plan or submit a Benewah County 4-H enrollment scholarship application.
View the 4-H Family Handbook for more information on getting started with 4-H in Idaho.
Cloverbuds
Cloverbuds is an educational program designed to introduce children ages 5-7 to a variety of 4-H project areas in a fun, non-competitive way. Cloverbuds are only allowed to show lap animals and are not able to participate in large animal, ATV or shooting sports projects. Fair exhibits by Cloverbuds are noncompetitive and are optional. Learn more about the Cloverbud program in Idaho.
Other was to be involved
Volunteer
4-H volunteers coordinate clubs, lead 4-H projects and help to plan and conduct local, regional, state and national 4-H events. Our volunteers are vital to the success of our programs. All 4-H volunteers are certified by UI Extension. Contact us at benewah@uidaho.edu or 208-245-2422 to request an application.
The Benewah County 4-H Volunteer Council and Horse Council both meet in the UI Extension, Benewah County office conference room at 711 W Jefferson Ave., Suite 2 in St. Maries. View the Benewah County 4-H Volunteer Council bylaws.
View the volunteer training report.
Documents and forms
Below are various documents and forms that are specific to Benewah County. For statewide forms, please visit the main UI Extension 4-H Youth Development website.
Market livestock growth charts
- Beef (PDF)
- Goat (PDF)
- Sheep (PDF)
- Swine (PDF)
Benewah County livestock bill of sale/proof of ownership
- Benewah County policy and procedure guidelines for volunteers.
- Annual club inventory form