We are so excited that you are ready to join 4-H! Advance through the following steps to complete the enrollment process and start your families membership.
Step 1: Determine how you would like to join
If you have three families total and are interested in starting a brand new club, contact the 4-H office at 507-835-0600 or [email protected] to set up an orientation meeting with you.
Waseca County has seven 4-H clubs for its over 200 youth members that meet across the county.
Check out our available clubs and contact the club leaders for the 4-H clubs you might be interested in joining. Clubs may be gathering in-person, virtually or a combination of both. Club meeting schedule may change, so contact club leader before attending first meeting.
Waseca County 4-H Clubs
| Club name | Club leader | Club leader | Club info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Clan | Brenda Harguth at 507-521-0716 or [email protected] | Jeannie Feldkamp at 507-461-5763 or [email protected] | Meets monthly on various evenings and locations |
| Homegrown Explorers | Jamie Gray at [email protected] | Heidi Knutson at [email protected] | Meets at 3 p.m. on second Sunday at the Waseca County East Annex Meeting Room |
| Janesville Jacks and Jills | Heather Tietje at [email protected] | Janelle Witt-Berg at 320-267-6338 or [email protected] | Typically meets at 4 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month at Faith Lutheran Church in Janesville |
| Palmer Sunbeams | Jill Christensen at [email protected] | Keri Coon at [email protected] | Meets the second Friday at the Waseca County East Annex Meeting Room or Northeast Park, time varies |
| Riverside Ramblers | Crystal Myers at 612-723-9945 or [email protected] | Carly Mendoza at 507-461-5288 or [email protected] | Club meeting time and location varies |
| Vista Busy Bees | Jennie Johnson at 507-475-1021 or [email protected] | Laura Beckmann at [email protected] | Meets third Sunday at 6 p.m. at Johnson Residence |
| Waldorf Peppy Peppers | Joyce Jahr at 507-340-9692 or [email protected] | Kim Olson at [email protected] | Meets at 3 p.m. the second Sunday of every month at the Waldorf Community Center |
Typically clubs meet in person on a monthly basis. Clubs may be meeting in person, virtually or a combination of both. After you enroll in 4-H Online and choose a club, the leaders will contact you to let you know how they are meeting this year.
Most people look for a club that is close to home or meets at a convenient date or time for their family. The majority of clubs don’t have a specific project focus.
Shop around
You can engage with and visit as many clubs as you like before you find the right and fit and pick one.
When you have chosen a club, it's time to sign up.
Note: You can enroll in 4-H before you settle on a club. If that is the case, choose “Independent” as your club option when you enroll and you can switch your club name later in our system.
You can join as an independent member.
This means you are not attached to a particular club, but can access all other 4-H programs on the county, state and national levels.
We do recommend that families join a club as it provides a place where you can connect with other families and build relationships. However, independent members can still have a great experience in the program.
You can start as independent but join a club at anytime if you wish.
Step 2: Enroll on 4-H Online
Before your first event or county activity, you must sign up here using 4-H Online. Enrollment starts in the fall, but members can join anytime during the year.
You will have access to 4-H Online with the username and password you create and you can go in and change your information at any time.
Learn more about signing up in 4-H Online.
Step 3: Select your projects
The foundation of 4-H is project learning. In 4-H, youth design and participate in their own education and activities, from creating a family tree to wiring a lamp or creating an art piece. This learn-by-doing model teaches kids essential skills needed to succeed in life, such as problem-solving, decision-making, coping, communicating and responding to the needs of others. We call this life skills.
Members can choose what projects they want to learn about and what events and activities they want to attend.
Choosing one or two projects is a great way to begin in 4-H.
Explore our available 4-H projects to determine which projects would interest your child(ren).
Signing up for 4-H projects
When you sign up for a project online, it means that is an area you are interested in learning about. You will be sent direct emails regarding any upcoming learning experiences on the county and state level that applies to that project.
If you are interested in exploring the project more, youth will decide what it is that you want to explore and create some goals that will help you achieve your desired project result.
Project learning can result in a project that you can exhibit at the county fair or other 4-H event throughout the year. However, you are not required to exhibit a project just because you signed up for it.
For the most part, project learning is self-directed. If there are no county or state level offerings available to you, connect with a local resource or mentor to help you achieve your goals.
Step 4: Get the most out of your 4-H experience
- Take part in 4-H club meetings.
- The more a youth member is involved in 4-H, the more they get from the experience. As they get older, they can expand their experience by volunteering to help or sharing their knowledge and skills.
- Check our website frequently for the most current program offerings. Reviewing descriptions, dates and times will help you choose how you can be involved in county and state 4-H events and activities.
- Please contact your club leader or our office with any questions at 507-835-0600 or [email protected]
Parents/Adults are a key to the success of 4-H
Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend the club meetings to keep informed and to support your youths involvement. 4-H is typically not a “drop and go” program.
If you want to volunteer, you can help as a project leaders to share your knowledge and/or skills with youth or as an event leader by guiding club’s involvement in a 4-H event or activity.
Volunteers are the heart of 4-H. If you are interested in becoming a screened volunteer we have a three part process for you to complete. 4-H pays for the background check for volunteers. Share your specific talents, provide general help on the club or county level. 4-H staff can help connect you to a volunteer role that aligns with your goals.
Learn more about becoming a screened volunteer.
4-H focuses on family involvement as many events/workshops are designed for the whole family to attend.
Do you have more questions?
Visit our FAQ page to get most of your questions answered, or you can contact our office at 507-835-0600 or [email protected].
Reviewed in 2025