4-H Youth Development
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.
4-H Club and Workshop Information
Majority of clubs or workshops will take place at the Fayette County Extension office.
Club leaders will let you know if not.
Please make sure you are able to attend before signing up.
Junior Homemakers is where tradition meets creativity, and leadership begins at home! The Junior Homemakers Club is a welcoming space to explore the world of domestic arts while developing valuable life skills, a spirit of service, and confident leadership. This club blends the timeless traditions of homemaking with modern skills and a strong focus on personal growth and community impact. Whether learning about new cultural opportunities, serving the community through volunteer experiences, or leading a team project, the Junior Homemakers Club is a place to grow, serve, and lead—one skill at a time. Contact MG Cooke for more information.
Prepare for adulthood with confidence! In this hands-on workshop series, youth will learn essential life skills that aren't always taught in school. Topics include how to do laundry, open and manage a bank account, understand budgeting basics, write checks, and more. Whether you're heading off to college, getting your first job, or just want to be more independent, this workshop is designed to help you build the skills you need for everyday life. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
A "Cloverbud chef" is for beginner chefs focusing on teaching basic kitchen skills, food safety, and healthy eating habits to children aged 5-8. Participants in these programs learn about handwashing, measuring ingredients, knife safety, and the importance of a balanced diet using tools like the MyPlate diagram. Contact Robin Grace for more information.
Hop into learning with the 4-H Rabbit Club! Youth will discover everything about rabbits—breeds, grooming, feeding, housing, breeding, and showing. This club is great for beginners and experienced rabbit owners alike and provides a fun and supportive environment to learn and grow. Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
Join us for a magical journey through classic literature and live theater! In our Book & Play Club, we’ll dive into two timeless stories—The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Secret Garden. After reading each book together, we’ll bring the stories to life by attending a live performance of each production!
Through discussions, we’ll explore the themes, characters, and settings of these beloved tales. Whether you’re a book lover, a theater fan, or just curious to experience stories in a new way, this club is the perfect blend of reading and real-life adventure. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Take your sewing skills to the next level! For youth with basic sewing experience who are ready to dive into garment construction. Participants will learn to read patterns, take measurements, select appropriate fabrics, and sew a variety of clothing items with precision and confidence. From hemming to fitting and finishing techniques, this class offers a deep dive into the art of sewing wearable pieces. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Focus, safety, and skill—all in one program! The 4-H Shooting Sports Club introduces youth to archery, rifle, and other disciplines in a safe, structured setting. Taught by trained instructors, this club teaches responsibility, discipline, and confidence while making learning fun and exciting. Open to all experience levels ages 9-18. Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
Let’s get cooking! Junior Chef is a hands-on class designed to teach youth essential kitchen skills in a fun and safe environment. Participants will learn the basics of measuring, chopping, mixing, and following recipes while making simple and tasty dishes. Along the way, they'll also learn kitchen safety, proper hygiene, and how to work as a team in the kitchen. Perfect for beginner chefs ready to build confidence and creativity! Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Get into the holiday spirit with our fun and festive Holiday Gift Workshops! Youth will create thoughtful, handmade gifts perfect for family, friends, teachers, and more. Features a variety of easy, budget-friendly DIY projects—from crafts and ornaments to self-care items and sweet treats. This workshop is a great way to spread joy, get creative, and make the season a little more personal (and a lot more fun)! Contact Manda Clark for more information.
LifeSmarts is your go-to program for learning real-world skills that matter. Through interactive challenges and fun competition, you'll explore important consumer topics that impact your everyday life—like managing money, making smart buying choices, understanding technology, preparing for the workforce, staying healthy, and protecting the environment. The ultimate goal? To put you in charge of your future. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Cloverbuds is a 4-H program designed for children ages 5-8 as an introduction to the 4-H experience. It focuses on providing age-appropriate, non-competitive, and activity-based learning experiences to foster healthy development and introduce various subject matter areas. Cloverbuds learn about 4-H through hands-on activities, cooperative learning, and building social skills. Contact Robin Grace for more information.
Build your 4-H resume and gain recognition for everything you do in 4-H! These workshops help youth complete the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Application, a tool used to track and showcase leadership, service, communication, and more. Perfect for motivated youth ages 9–18 who want to work toward state-level awards, scholarships, and leadership roles. Great for building skills—and your future! Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
Love horses? This club is for you! Whether you ride or just want to learn, the 4-H Horse Club offers fun, friendship, and hands-on learning. Youth explore horse care, anatomy, nutrition, and showmanship. Club members can also qualify for state events by completing required educational hours with certified leaders. No horse ownership required—just a passion for learning! Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
Do you have what it takes to thrive in the great outdoors? Into the Wild is a hands-on workshop series designed for youth to learn essential outdoor survival skills, confidence, disaster preparedness. Whether you're planning a camping trip or just love spending time outside, these workshops will prepare you for real-life adventures. Each session will include interactive instruction and practical challenges, along with field experts joining for select classes. Participants will leave with real-world skills and the confidence to take on the outdoors—safely and responsibly. Contact MG Cooke for more information.
Join us for a fun and interactive journey into the world of bees! In Bee Club, youth will learn all about honeybees, pollination, beekeeping, and the vital role bees play in our environment. Through hands-on activities, crafts, and outdoor exploration, participants will get up close with the buzz-worthy world of bees while developing a deeper appreciation for nature. Contact MG Cooke for more information.
Interested in animals and agriculture? The Livestock Club is your chance to get up close with sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle. Learn how to care for, feed, show, and manage livestock through hands-on workshops, barn visits, and shows. Open to ages 5–18, this club builds confidence, responsibility, and leadership—both in and out of the ring! Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
From backyard chickens to fancy show birds, the Poultry Club helps youth learn all about raising and caring for poultry. Topics include breeds, egg production, nutrition, health, biosecurity, and how to prepare for poultry shows. A great fit for animal lovers of all experience levels! Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
This workshop is all about helping youth understand and care for their mental well-being. Through interactive activities and open discussions, participants will learn healthy ways to manage stress, recognize emotions, build resilience, and support their peers. We'll explore topics like self-care, mindfulness, coping strategies, and how to ask for help when it’s needed. This is a safe and welcoming space to learn, grow, and realize you’re never alone. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Whisk up some holiday cheer in this fun and festive baking workshop! Youth will learn basic baking skills while creating a variety of seasonal goodies—think cookies, bars, breads, and more. Along the way, they’ll practice measuring, mixing, decorating, and kitchen safety. Perfect for gift-giving or sharing with loved ones, these sweet treats are sure to make spirits bright! Contact Manda Clark for more information.
The Livestock Skillathon is a hands-on, interactive where youth put their animal science knowledge to the test! Participants will focus on topics like breed identification, equipment and feed identification, animal health, meat cuts, quality assurance, and more. This fun and educational experience helps youth strengthen their understanding of livestock production, critical thinking, and decision-making—whether they raise animals or are just eager to learn more! Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
4-H Arts and Crafts projects offer youth opportunities to explore a wide range of creative mediums and develop valuable life skills. Through hands-on activities like painting, drawing, sculpting, and various fiber arts, youth can express their creativity, learn new techniques, and build confidence. These projects also foster essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. Contact Robin Grace for more information.
The 4-H Art Through Nature Club invites youth to slow down, look closer, and find inspiration in the world around them. Blending creativity with outdoor exploration, members use the sights, textures, and colors of nature to express themselves through drawing, painting, sculpture, and more. This club encourages artistic growth, a love for the environment, and a deeper connection between self and nature. Contact Landon Withers for more information.
The 4-H Adventure Leadership Club is a hands-on, outdoor-based program that helps youth grow as confident leaders while exploring the natural world. Through activities like hiking, kayaking, rock climbing and other outdoor adventures, members build leadership and teamwork in real-world settings. By connecting with nature and overcoming challenges together, youth develop resilience, responsibility, and a deeper respect for the environment. From forests to rivers, this club turns the outdoors into a classroom for leadership and lifelong adventure. Contact Landon Withers for more information.
Get ready to showcase your sewing skills at the fair! This class is perfect for youth who want to create high-quality sewing projects to enter in the county or state fair. Whether you’re making clothing, accessories, or home décor items, this class will help you produce blue-ribbon-worthy entries! Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Are you ready to get outside, explore, and connect with the wild world around you? 4-H Nature Club is the perfect place for curious minds who love nature and want to learn more about it through fun, hands-on activities! Meetings will be themed around what's happening in nature each month/season; most months' activities will take place outside, with weather alternatives planned. Whether you're an experienced nature lover or just beginning your outdoor journey, this club is all about having fun, asking questions, and deepening your connection to the natural world. Come ready to explore! Contact MG Cooke for more information.
Pack your aprons and passports—no plane ticket required! In Global Chef, youth will explore cultures from around the world through food. Each session features a new country, where participants will learn about traditional dishes, cooking techniques, and the stories behind the flavors. From making sushi in Japan to baking empanadas from Argentina, this hands-on cooking class is a delicious way to discover global cultures and build kitchen confidence. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Join us for a cozy and creative time in Crochet Club! Whether you're a beginner or have some stitching experience, this club is perfect for youth who want to learn or grow their crochet skills. Participants will work on fun projects—all while building patience, creativity, and confidence. Bring your hooks and yarn, and let’s get stitching! Contact Manda Clark for more information.
This hands-on food experience is a Kentucky tradition! Youth learn how to cure a country ham, explore the history of food preservation, and develop public speaking skills as they present their ham project at the state fair. A tasty and educational journey through agriculture and science! Contact Allison Keeton for more information.
Put your Family & Consumer Sciences knowledge to the test! The FCS Skillathon is an interactive, hands-on event where youth can explore and demonstrate skills in areas like nutrition, sewing, food safety, consumer decision-making, child development, and more. Contact Manda Clark for more information.
Dive into the fascinating world of medical science in these hands-on STEM Workshops designed to inspire future healthcare professionals! They'll explore human anatomy, medical tools, and careers in the healthcare field through interactive stations and real-world problem-solving. These workshops combines science, technology, and compassion to give youth a deeper understanding of the medical world and how STEM plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. Contact MG Cooke for more information.
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
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.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are seeking volunteers to assist with programs and events related to our core content areas.
Learn MoreAmanda Clark
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(859) 257-5582 amanda.clark@uky.edu Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40504MG Cooke
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(859) 257-5582 mgacooke@uky.edu Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40504Robin Grace
Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development
(859) 257-5582 robin.grace@uky.edu Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40504Allison Keeton
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
(859) 257-5582 allison.keeton@uky.edu Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40504Landon Withers
Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development
(859) 257-5582 landon.withers@uky.edu Fayette County Extension Office 1140 Harry Sykes Way, Lexington, Kentucky 40504
