4-H Youth Development

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

2025-2026 Enrollment

Download Enrollment Form

Annual Volunteer Enrollment Form - This form is for volunteers who have already completed the background check process.

New Volunteer Application/Background Check Authorization - This form is for adults who wish to become new volunteers.

What is 4-H?

4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.

Head Managing, Thinking

Heart Relating, Caring

Hands Giving, Working

Health Being, Living

Additional Information

Join 4-H 4-H Programs 4-H Summer Camp Hardin County Fair - 4-H Entries Volunteer Opportunities

4-H Newsletters

Hardin County 4-H Clubs

Club meets monthly at the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service Office.

Upcoming meeting: August 11th, 6:30 p.m.

Additional 2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

No horse? No problem! Meetings and activities are open to horse owners and non-owners.

For more information, contact club leader Christi Douglass at standingoakranch@gmail.com

Club meets (starting in September) at the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service Office.

2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

Animal ownership is not required. Come join the fun and learn about livestock!

For more information, contact Hardin County 4-H Agent Jocelyn Kemp at jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

Animal ownership is not required.

Interested in serving as the adult leader for this club? Contact jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

Come see what the buzz is all about! Bee ownership is not a requirement of membership!

2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

For more information, contact club leader Annie Peterson at anniepeterson76@gmail.com

Cloverbuds

Cloverbuds are 5-8 years old on January 1, 2026. Cloverbuds can join most other 4-H clubs that 4-H age youth participate in but not all. Our Cloverbud Clubs meet monthly on 3 different days so you can pick a day that is most convenient for you. Due to a very high demand for this club we have to limit spots meaning that pre-registration is required.

Registration for 2025-2026 will open soon.

For more information, contact jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

Let's Aim for Safety!

Possible disciplines include pistol, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloading, and archery.

2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

For club information, contact adult leader Leann Davidson at (270) 734-0587.

Interested in becoming certified as an adult leader for this club? Contact jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

Animal ownership is not required.

For more information, contact Hardin County 4-H Agent Jocelyn Kemp at jocelyn.kemp@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

2025-2026 meeting dates will be posted soon!

For more information, contact Hardin County 4-H Agent Deana K. Reed at deanakreed@uky.edu or (270) 765-4121.

Hardin County 4-H Council basic information.

For more information, contact Jocelyn Kemp or Deana K. Reed at (270) 765-4121.

How does 4-H benefit youth?

4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:

Four times more likely to contribute to their communities.

Two times more likely to be civically active.

Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology programs during out-of-school time.

4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.