We are excited that your family is interested in getting involved in the Wright County 4-H program! There are so many different opportunities the 4-H program has to offer. We are here to help you find the best fit for your family.
Youth can join 4-H when they are in kindergarten and continue to one year past high school. 4-H offers opportunities to experience hands-on learning in over 100 different project areas and many activities and events are planned so the entire family can participate.
Youth can join a 4-H club in their community. Clubs usually meet monthly for fun, hands-on learning, group activities and community service. Youth can also participate in a variety of county and state 4-H events.
We hope this page is a useful tool as you begin your journey with 4-H.
Information on Wright County 4-H
What is 4-H?
In 4-H, youth design and participate in their own programs and activities. This unique, learn-by-doing model teaches kids essential, transferrable skills that they'll use throughout their lives, such as problem solving, decision making, coping, communicating and responding to the needs of others. Whether youth are building rockets, raising dairy cows, or writing musical plays, 4-H gives them the skills they need to succeed in life. 4-H has something for everyone! Youth in kindergarten through one year past high school can participate in short-term activities or longer-term clubs, where groups meet regularly to work on projects, perform community service and develop leadership skills.
4-H offers activities in:
- Science, engineering and technology
- Citizenship and leadership
- Healthy living
- Animal science
- And much more!
No matter which project you choose, you will learn public speaking skills, how to collaborate, understand government and community, and how to develop and reach life and career goals.
Who is 4-H for?
4-H is for all youth, from kindergarten through one year past high school. 4-H welcomes boys, girls, and adults from all backgrounds and locations. The entire family can join in projects and activities. Younger members, kindergarten through second grade are part of the Cloverbud program. Cloverbud activities promote creativity and discovery without emphasis on competition.
Why join 4-H?
Exciting things are happening in 4-H Today. 4-H lets kids try new skills and express themselves through fun hands-on activities. Working on projects helps connect kids with their friends, families, communities and the world. 4-H helps kids gain confidence and develop life skills that will benefit them for the rest of their life.
A sampling of program offerings include camp, community service, performing arts events and leadership opportunities. 4-H offers 60+ projects areas including dog, aerospace, foods, youth leadership, crafts, clothing, shooting sports, horse, citizenship, photography and many, many more!
4-H focuses on family involvement
Many events/workshops are designed for the whole family to attend. Parent/adult involvement supports a successful 4-H experience. They can volunteer to help as:
- 4-H club leaders - guide the 4-H club
- Project leaders - share your knowledge and/or skills with youth
- Event leader - guiding club’s involvement in a 4-H event or activity
How to have a successful 4-H experience
Members can choose which projects they want to learn about and what events and activities they want to attend. The more a youth is involved in 4-H, the more they get from the experience. Expand your comfort zone and try new experiences. As they get older they can become 4-H Ambassadors and volunteer to help or share their knowledge and skills. Strong use of candid photography, where subjects are engaged in interaction or tasks at hand.
Find a Wright County 4-H Club near you
Click on a location mark on the map below to learn more about each club and find contact information for leaders.
Club meetings
A typical 4-H meeting lasts about an hour and has three parts:
The business portion of the meeting is often led by the President. During this time, club activities, programs and events are discussed and acted upon.
Education is an important part of the club meeting. Various methods may be used to present subject matter, including: 4-H demonstrations, project talks, speakers, project experiences, movies, etc.
Fellowship is part of the overall 4-H program and recreation is one way that this can be developed. Songs, games, crafts or skits make up this fun part of the meeting.
A special meeting might include a special speaker/tour/activity.
Meetings are a great time to find out about something new.
Perhaps the most important factor in a successful meeting is a wide level of participation from all club members. 4-H’ers are encouraged to participate in the 4-H meeting by:
- Keeping up-to-date on what’s going on – read the newsletter, ask questions;
- Presenting ideas;
- Serving on committees;
- Giving demonstrations and project talks.
What are club officers?
Each club is run by its members and elects officers who lead the meetings. Here are some things that each officer does.
- President: The president leads the club meetings. Usually, the president has been in 4-H for quite a few years.
- Vice President: This person helps the president. He or she takes over when the president cannot be there.
- Secretary: This person writes a report of everything that happens at a meeting. These are called minutes. The secretary reads the minutes at the next meeting to remind members what happened the last time that they met.
- Treasurer: This person keeps track of the club’s money. He or she takes money to the bank, writes checks, and gives a report at club meetings.
- Reporter: This person writes short news articles and sends them to the local newspaper. That way, everyone in the community knows what the 4-H club is doing.
Some clubs have other officers, too. There may also be a historian. The historian keeps a scrapbook of the club’s history. Clubs also need help planning special events and activities. You would probably enjoy being on one of these planning committees.
The 4-H Pledge
Over its history, 4-H has developed traditions that help define its culture and identity, such as the recitation of the 4-H Pledge. This pledge is said at the beginning of each 4-H club meeting.
Projects
There are a variety 4-H projects you can choose from in these different categories:
- Science, engineering and technology
- Citizenship and leadership
- Healthy living
- Animal science
- Expressive arts and communication
- Shooting sports and wildlife
- Family and consumer Science
- Gardening and agriculture
- Environmental and Earth science
- Self-Determined
- Cloverbuds (K-2)
Project selection
Deciding on projects in 4-H can be overwhelming at times. 4-H has something for everyone in grades kindergarten through one year past high school.
Browse through the available 4-H projects to learn about what you can do in 4-H.
When looking through the list, choose a few your first year that you would like to learn about and exhibit at the county fair. You will also find some great resources on each of the project pages.
Project goals
Now that you have decided on a project, it’s time to set some goals. What do you want to do and learn in this project? Make your goals challenging, but don’t make them so hard you cannot reach them. Ask yourself these questions.
- What do I want to do this year?
- What can I learn?
- Who will help me?
- When am I going to do it?
- Where do I want this project to take me in one, two, or three years?
Project help
Many people in your community can help you with your 4-H project learning. Think about talking to a local person involved in your area of interest. For example: If you plan to create a wildlife project on lake conservation, find a contact for your local DNR personnel and set up a time to meet with them.
National 4-H has developed and maintains a vast variety of 4-H curriculum for the 4-H project areas. There are also resources available on each 4-H project page and in the YD curriculum library.
What are Cloverbuds?
4-H Cloverbuds do the same projects as older 4-H'ers, but in a way appropriate to their age (kindergarten through second grade). Cloverbuds explore and learn about the world in a non-competitive environment by doing fun activities of their own choice, like making cookies or doing a craft project, with the guidance of parents or other helpful adults.
Wright County 4-H App
Download our Wright County 4-H App for easy access to 4-H information right on your phone! Search your app store for the "Minnesota 4-H" app. Select Wright County 4-H.
Wright County 4-H Calendar
The 4-H calendar is a great first place to check for dates and locations of 4-H events. We also include details about the event, links to registration, and flyers.
Wright County 4-H Facebook Page
See upcoming event information, photos, receive deadline reminders, and more. It’s also our designated spot to check for cancellation notices. You do not have to have a facebook account to view our page.
Wright County 4-H Instagram Page
See upcoming event information, photos, deadline reminders, and more!
4-H Online (Enrollment in 4-H)
Use this site to enroll/re-enroll and fill out animal ID’s. Login and update information at any time.
Minnesota 4-H
Find information about state-wide events, policies, and help guides for most projects/procedures.
Contact
Wright County Extension
Public Works Building
3500 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55313
Phone: 763-682-7394
Fax: 763-682-7913
Reviewed in 2025.